1 Thessalonians5

New Living Translation

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¹Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you.

²For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

³When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

⁴But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

⁵For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

⁶So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

⁷Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.

⁸But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

⁹For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.

¹⁰Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.

¹¹So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

¹²Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.

¹³Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

¹⁴Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

¹⁵See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

¹⁶Always be joyful.

¹⁷Never stop praying.

¹⁸Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

¹⁹Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

²⁰Do not scoff at prophecies,

²¹but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

²²Stay away from every kind of evil.

²³Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

²⁴God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

²⁵Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.

²⁶Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.

²⁷I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.

²⁸May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Thessalonians 5.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The apostle exhorts to be always ready for the coming of Christ to judgment, which will be with suddenness and surprise. (1–11). He directs to several particular duties. (12–22). And concludes with prayer, greetings, and a blessing. (23–28).

vv1-5

It is needless or useless to ask about the particular time of Christ's coming. Christ did not reveal this to the apostles. There are times and seasons for us to work in, and these are our duty and interest to know and observe; but as to the time when we must give up our account, we know it not, nor is it needful that we should. The coming of Christ will be a great surprise to men. Our Lord himself said so. As the hour of death is the same to each person that the judgment will be to mankind in general, so the same remarks answer for both. Christ's coming will be terrible to the ungodly. Their destruction will overtake them while they dream of happiness, and please themselves with vain amusements. There will be no means to escape the terror or the punishment of that day. This day will be a happy day to the righteous. They are not in darkness; they are the children of the light. It is the happy condition of all true Christians. But how many are speaking peace and safety to themselves, over whose heads utter destruction is hovering! Let us endeavour to awaken ourselves and each other, and guard against our spiritual enemies.

vv6-11

Most of mankind do not consider the things of another world at all, because they are asleep; or they do not consider them aright, because they sleep and dream. Our moderation as to all earthly things should be known to all men. Shall Christians, who have the light of the blessed gospel shining in their faces, be careless about their souls, and unmindful of another world? We need the spiritual armour, or the three Christian graces, faith, love, and hope. Faith; if we believe that the eye of God is always upon us, that there is another world to prepare for, we shall see reason to watch and be sober. True and fervent love to God, and the things of God, will keep us watchful and sober. If we have hope of salvation, let us take heed of any thing that would shake our trust in the Lord. We have ground on which to build unshaken hope, when we consider, that salvation is by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, to atone for our sins and to ransom our souls. We should join in prayer and praise one with another. We should set a good example one before another, and this is the best means to answer the end of society. Thus we shall learn how to live to Him, with whom we hope to live for ever.

vv12-15

The ministers of the gospel are described by the work of their office, which is to serve and honour the Lord. It is their duty not only to give good counsel, but also to warn the flock of dangers, and reprove for whatever may be amiss. The people should honour and love their ministers, because their business is the welfare of men's souls. And the people should be at peace among themselves, doing all they can to guard against any differences. But love of peace must not make us wink at sin. The fearful and sorrowful spirits, should be encouraged, and a kind word may do much good. We must bear and forbear. We must be long-suffering, and keep down anger, and this to all men. Whatever man do to us, we must do good to others.

Key Words

NowG1161Greek

δέ (dé): but, and, etc.

concerningG4012Greek

περί (perí): properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period)

timesG5550Greek

χρόνος (chrónos): a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from G2540 (καιρός), which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from G165 (αἰών), which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay

andG2532Greek

καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

seasonsG2540Greek

καιρός (kairós): an occasion, i.e. set or proper time

brothersG80Greek

ἀδελφός (adelphós): a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α))

haveG2192Greek

ἔχω (échō): to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)

noG3756Greek

οὐ (ou): the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not

needG5532Greek

χρεία (chreía): employment, i.e. an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution

writtenG1125Greek

γράφω (gráphō): to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

Cross References

1 Thessalonians 5

v2Matthew 24:42-44allusion

Our Lord's original parable warning that the Son of man comes like a thief.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v22 Peter 3:10thematic

Peter's matching eschatological declaration that the day of the Lord will come as a thief.