The Antichrist’s Arrival: A Grammar of Deception in 2 Thessalonians 2:9

οὗ ἐστιν ἡ παρουσία κατ’ ἐνέργειαν τοῦ σατανᾶ ἐν πάσῃ δυνάμει καὶ σημείοις καὶ τέρασι ψεύδους

In this verse — 2 Thessalonians 2:9 — we encounter a grammatically dense and theologically charged description of the coming of the man of lawlessness, often identified as the Antichrist. Paul’s language is not merely prophetic; it is carefully constructed to convey the spiritual origin, power source, and deceptive nature of this eschatological figure.
Our focus will be on the structure of the phrase “ἡ παρουσία κατ’ ἐνέργειαν τοῦ σατανᾶ”, exploring how prepositional usage, word order, and semantic nuance coalesce to form a vivid theological portrait of counterfeit authority and satanic empowerment.

Grammatical Structure and Syntactic Emphasis

Let us begin by isolating the core clause:

ἡ παρουσία κατ’ ἐνέργειαν τοῦ σατανᾶ

This phrase describes the nature of the Antichrist’s arrival (παρουσία) — not simply his appearance, but his full manifestation or presence. The preposition κατά, followed by the accusative ἐνέργειαν, conveys a strong sense of origin or mode.

Morphological Breakdown

• ἡ παρουσία: Noun – feminine singular nominative
• From παρ- (with) + οὖσις (being); literally, “presence” or “coming”
• Functions as subject of the clause
• κατ’ ἐνέργειαν: Prepositional phrase
• κατά: Preposition meaning “according to,” “in accordance with,” “by means of”
• ἐνέργειαν: Feminine singular accusative noun from ἐνέργεια (“working,” “operation,” “power”)
• Indicates the source or manner of the presence
• τοῦ σατανᾶ: Genitive noun phrase
• σατανᾶ: Masculine singular genitive from σατανᾶς (“Satan”)
• Possessive or attributive genitive, indicating the origin of the energy

Thus, the phrase reads:

“The presence [of the lawless one] according to the working/power of Satan.”

But what does it mean for someone’s coming to be “according to the energy of Satan”? This brings us to the heart of the theological and grammatical insight.

κατά + Accusative: Source and Mode of Operation

The use of κατά here is significant. In classical Greek, κατά could denote opposition (“against”), completeness (“throughout”), or standard (“according to”). Here, it functions in the latter sense — “according to,” “in accordance with,” or “by means of.”
This construction echoes similar phrases elsewhere in Pauline literature where divine activity is described as operating “according to” certain principles or powers (e.g., Ephesians 3:20 — “God who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us”).
In our verse, however, the power source is not divine but demonic — and the Antichrist’s presence mirrors the false messianic claims of Christ’s own parousia, which was empowered by God (cf. Rom 1:4).

Theological Implication

Paul’s grammar reveals a counterfeit spirituality: the Antichrist’s arrival will not be powerless or ordinary, but marked by a force that imitates divine action. It is not merely evil in intent, but deceptively powerful in presentation.

ἐν πάσῃ δυνάμει καὶ σημείοις καὶ τέρασι ψεύδους

This final phrase further develops the idea of supernatural deception:

“…in all power and signs and lying wonders”

Each element deserves attention for its morphological and semantic contribution.

Key Terms

• ἐν πάσῃ δυνάμει: “in all power”
• – ἐν: Preposition governing dative; indicates sphere or medium
• – πάσῃ: Adjective, feminine singular dative
• – δυνάμει: Noun, feminine singular dative from δύναμις (“power,” “miracle”)
• σημείοις: Dative plural of σημεῖον (“signs”)
• – Often used in NT for miraculous confirmations of divine message
• τέρασι: Dative plural of τέρας (“wonders,” “portents”)
• – Rarely used outside apocalyptic literature; carries an ominous tone
• ψεύδους: Genitive singular of ψεῦδος (“falsehood,” “lie”)
• – Modifies both σημείοις and τέρασι, indicating their deceptive nature

Grammatical Nuance

The repeated use of the dative case after ἐν creates a list of manifestations of power, each modified by the adjective πάσῃ (“all”). The structure emphasizes comprehensiveness: there will be no lack of impressive displays.
Yet these are not authentic signs from God, but lying signs — a clear echo of Old Testament warnings about false prophets performing miracles under demonic influence (Deut 13:1–5; cf. Rev 16:14; 19:20).

The Shape of Deception: Word Order and Emphasis

One subtle but important feature is the word order:

ἐν πάσῃ δυνάμει καὶ σημείοις καὶ τέρασι ψεύδους

The placement of ψεύδους at the end adds dramatic emphasis — the falsehood is revealed only after the reader has processed the impressive list of phenomena. It functions like a rhetorical punchline, exposing the hidden deception behind the spectacle.
This delayed modifier heightens the contrast between appearance and reality — a key theme in Paul’s eschatology.

Morphological Spotlight: Key Terms

“The Language of Counterfeit Power”

What emerges from this verse is not just a prophecy, but a grammar of deception. Every preposition, every case ending, every syntactic choice sharpens the image of a false messiah whose presence mimics the divine yet originates in darkness.
Paul does not merely warn of future events — he equips believers with linguistic discernment. The Antichrist’s arrival will not be unimpressive or obscure. It will come with signs, wonders, and power — but all of them marked by falsehood and Satanic origin.
To read this passage with grammatical precision is to recognize that spiritual deception often wears the garb of authenticity. And that is why Paul writes: not to satisfy curiosity about the future, but to prepare the church for the test of truth.
In the end, the greatest safeguard against deception is not merely knowledge of the signs — but knowledge of the One who truly comes in power: our Lord Jesus Christ.