1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. 3 For when they are saying, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape. 4 But you, brothers, aren't in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief. 5 You are all children of light, and children of the day. We don't belong to the night, nor to darkness, 6 so then let's not sleep, as the rest do, but let's watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunk are drunk in the night. 8 But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God didn't appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do. 12 But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, 13 and to respect and honor them in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all. 15 See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all. 16 Rejoice always. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. 19 Don't quench the Spirit. 20 Don't despise prophesies. 21 Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Analysis Of The Chapter
This chapter consists of two parts:
I. The continuation of the subject of the coming of the Lord; 1-Thessalonians 5:1-11; and,
II. Various practical exhortations.
I. In the first part, the apostle states:
(1) that it was well understood by the Thessalonians that the coming of the Lord would be sudden, and at an unexpected moment, 1-Thessalonians 5:1-2;
(2) he refers to the effect of his coming on the wicked and the righteous, and says that it would be attended with the sudden and inevitable destruction of the former, 1-Thessalonians 5:3; but that the result of his coming would be far different on the righteous; 1-Thessalonians 5:4-11.
The prospect of his coming was fitted to make them watchful and sober, 1-Thessalonians 5:6-8; and his advent would be attended with their certain salvation; 1-Thessalonians 5:9.
II. In the second part of the chapter, he exhorts them to show proper respect for their spiritual teachers and rulers, 1-Thessalonians 5:12-13; to endeavor to restrain the unruly, to support the feeble, and to evince toward all the spirit of patience and forbearance, 1-Thessalonians 5:14; to manifest a meek and benevolent manner of life, 1-Thessalonians 5:15; to rejoice always, 1-Thessalonians 5:16; to pray constantly, 1-Thessalonians 5:17; to render thanks to God in every situation, 1-Thessalonians 5:18; to cherish the influences of the Holy Ghost on their souls, 1-Thessalonians 5:19; to show respect for all the divine prophetic communications, 1-Thessalonians 5:20; to consider and examine carefully everything submitted to them for belief; to adhere steadfastly to all that was good and true, 1-Thessalonians 5:21; and to avoid the very appearance of evil, 1-Thessalonians 5:22. The Epistle closes with a fervent prayer that God would sanctify them entirely; with an earnest entreaty that they would pray for him; with a command that the Epistle should be read to all the churches, and with the benediction; 1-Thessalonians 5:22-28.
The apostle continues to speak of Christ's coming to judgment, and the uncertainty of the time in which it shall take place, and the careless state of sinners, 1-Thessalonians 5:1-3. Shows the Thessalonians that they are children of the light; that they should watch and pray, and put on the armor of God, being called to obtain salvation by Christ, who died for them; that whether dead or alive, when the day of judgment comes, they may live for ever with him; and that they should comfort and edify each other with these considerations, 1-Thessalonians 5:4-11. He exhorts them to remember those who labor among them, and are over them in the Lord; and to esteem such highly for their work's sake, 1-Thessalonians 5:12, 1-Thessalonians 5:13. He charges them to warn, comfort, and support those who stood in need of such assistance, and to be patient and beneficent towards all, 1-Thessalonians 5:14, 1-Thessalonians 5:15. He points out their high spiritual privileges; warns them against neglecting or misimproving the gifts of the Spirit, and the means of grace, 1-Thessalonians 5:16-20. They are also exhorted to prove all things; to abstain from all evil; and to expect to be sanctified, through spirit, soul, and body, by him who has promised this, and who is faithful to his promises, 1-Thessalonians 5:21-24. Recommends himself and brethren to their prayers; shows them how they are to greet each other; charges them to read this epistle to all the brethren; and concludes with the usual apostolical benediction, 1-Thessalonians 5:25-28.
INTRODUCTION TO 1 THESSALONIANS 5
In this chapter the apostle discourses concerning the suddenness of Christ's coming, and the necessity of sobriety and watchfulness, and being on our guard with respect unto it, and then proceeds to exhort to several duties of religion, and closes the epistle with prayers for the saints, salutations of them, advice unto them, and with his usual benediction. Having spoken of the coming of Christ in the preceding chapter, the apostle signifies he had no need to write of the time and season of it; since it was a well known thing that it would be sudden, and at an unawares, like the coming of a thief in the night, and the travail of a woman with child, though certain and inevitable; and would bring sure destruction on wicked men, unthought of by them, 1-Thessalonians 5:1 but such was the state and condition of the saints, being not in the night of nature's darkness and unregeneracy, but enlightened by the spirit of God, that they were not ignorant of these things, nor liable to be surprised unawares hereby, 1-Thessalonians 5:4, however, in consideration of their being in the light, and not in darkness, it became them to behave accordingly, and not indulge themselves in sleep and sloth, but be watchful and sober, and on their guard, having on their spiritual armour, 1-Thessalonians 5:6 and the rather, since they were not appointed to the wrath they deserved, but to salvation by Christ; whose end in dying for them was, that they might live together with him, and therefore should exhort and comfort, and edify one another, 1-Thessalonians 5:9 and then follow various exhortations, some, which respect their ministers, their knowledge of them, love to them, and esteem for them, on account of their dignity, office, work, and usefulness, 1-Thessalonians 5:12 others, which concern themselves and one another, as church members, 1-Thessalonians 5:13 others, which regard also them that are without, 1-Thessalonians 5:14 and others which relate to joy and thanksgiving, to prayer and praise; to the gifts of the spirit, and the ministry of the word; and to a trial and examination of what is good, and an abiding by it, and an abstinence from all evil, and every appearance of it, 1-Thessalonians 5:16 and the whole is concluded with prayers for them, for their perfect sanctification, and entire preservation to the coming of Christ; which were put up in faith, grounded upon the faithfulness of God who had called them to grace and glory, 1-Thessalonians 5:23 and with a request to them to pray for him, and other ministers of the Gospel, and to salute all the brethren, 1-Thessalonians 5:25 and with a charge to read this letter to them all, 1-Thessalonians 5:27 and with his usual benediction, 1-Thessalonians 5:28.
(1-Thessalonians 5:1-11) The apostle exhorts to be always ready for the coming of Christ to judgment, which will be with suddenness and surprise.
(1-Thessalonians 5:12-22) He directs to several particular duties.
(1-Thessalonians 5:23-28) And concludes with prayer, greetings, and a blessing.
SUMMARY.--The Time of the Lord's Coming Unknown. Will Be Sudden. Hence, Let Us Not Be Asleep. Let Us Have Our Armor On. Mutual Duties of Shepherds and Flock. Christian Life. Benediction.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.