By Robert Lazu Kmita, PhD, OnePeterFive - For example, Saint John Chrysostom directly addresses the question of the nature of this katechōn, answering it decisively: What then is it that holds back, that is, that hinders the revealing of the Antichrist? Some indeed say the grace of the Spirit, but others the Roman Empire. I agree with the latter position. Why? Because if Paul meant to say the Spirit, he would not have spoken obscurely but plainly, that even now the grace of the Spirit, that is the gifts, hold back the Antichrist.