Bible Dictionaries
Lawless, Lawlessness

Holman Bible Dictionary

Term used by modern translations to describe people not restrained or controlled by law, especially God's law. As rebellion against God, sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4; compare 2 Thessalonians 3:4 ). Those responsible for Christ's death are characterized as lawless (Acts 2:23 ) as are Gentiles in their idolatry (1 Peter 4:3 ). The leader of the eschatological (end-time) rebellion is called the man of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:3; compare 2 Thessalonians 2:8 ). The lawless one is already at work but is presently restrained (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 ). The lawless one will be revealed before the return of Christ who will slay him with His breath (2 Thessalonians 2:8 ).