“…that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness“

that they all may be condemned

The word “that” indicates result. God will execute justice on those who do not believe the truth but have pleasure in unrighteousness. Paul does not indicate the nature of this judgment in this passage.

who did not believe the truth

There is great accountability in freedom. Non-believers in the Tribulation will pay a heavy price for their unbelief. They will have no excuse.

but

The word “but” in Greek indicates strong contrast. In strong contrast to believing the truth, their true motive is pleasure in unrighteousness.

had pleasure in unrighteousness

The antithesis of believing the truth is having pleasure in unrighteousness. “Unrighteousness” is literally “unrightness.” There is an outcome of not believing the truth. Non-belief leads to paying a price for our thinking and attitude. It ends in something that is not right, an unjust system of thinking. Rejection of truth is a precursor of injustice and taking pleasure in unrighteousness. This is the unjust system of the lawless one in the Tribulation.

Principle:

A great obstacle to believing the truth is the love of unrighteousness.

Application:

A central reason for unbelief is pleasure in unrighteousness. God places responsibility on everyone because He gives everyone the freedom to accept or reject Christ. Those who reject Christ will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15).

People go to hell because they reject God’s remedy for sin–the death of Christ on the cross as a substitute payment for sin. If people reject that provision for salvation, then there is no hope for them. They consign themselves to the Lake of Fire.

People love unrighteousness over the truth. There is no sense rationalizing why people reject the gospel, for it is not because they do not understand, were born in a different religion, are confused, etc. It is because of the bald fact that they take “pleasure in unrighteousness.” They love their life, and they do not want anyone to change it.