Who is the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2?

Chuck Smith identified the restrainer as "the Spirit of God within the church of Jesus Christ," and said the man of sin "can't be revealed until the hindering force is removed." Paul: "only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way" (2 Thessalonians 2:7). Read Chuck on Revelation 6:1 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.

Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-13.