1 Thessalonians 5
Overview
The Day of the Lord (Verses 1-3):
The chapter starts with a prophetic punch—Paul talks about the Day of the Lord coming like a thief in the night. The element of surprise is crucial here; you don't schedule burglaries, and you can't pencil in apocalyptic events either. Though the world may be clueless, believers shouldn't be caught off guard.
Be Watchful and Sober (Verses 4-11):
Paul contrasts believers with those "in darkness," emphasizing that foreknowledge brings responsibility. Being children of the light means living vigilantly and morally. Sobriety isn't just about avoiding intoxication; it's a call to mental and spiritual clarity. Paul urges believers to wear "faith and love" like a breastplate, and the "hope of salvation" as a helmet—these aren't merely poetic images but vital elements of spiritual armor.
Practical Instructions for Christian Living (Verses 12-28):
The tail end of this chapter shifts gears to practical piety—respecting leadership, maintaining peace, and avoiding evil. Paul fires off a series of short yet potent directives: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks, and hold on to the good. These aren’t just platitudes but the core practices that should define every believer’s life.
1 Thessalonians 5 leaves us with both a warning and a blessing. The Day of the Lord will come, but believers can prepare by living lives characterized by vigilance and virtue. The balance of eschatological expectation and earthly responsibility provides a blueprint for Christian living that's as relevant now as it was for the early church.
The chapter starts with a prophetic punch—Paul talks about the Day of the Lord coming like a thief in the night. The element of surprise is crucial here; you don't schedule burglaries, and you can't pencil in apocalyptic events either. Though the world may be clueless, believers shouldn't be caught off guard.
Be Watchful and Sober (Verses 4-11):
Paul contrasts believers with those "in darkness," emphasizing that foreknowledge brings responsibility. Being children of the light means living vigilantly and morally. Sobriety isn't just about avoiding intoxication; it's a call to mental and spiritual clarity. Paul urges believers to wear "faith and love" like a breastplate, and the "hope of salvation" as a helmet—these aren't merely poetic images but vital elements of spiritual armor.
Practical Instructions for Christian Living (Verses 12-28):
The tail end of this chapter shifts gears to practical piety—respecting leadership, maintaining peace, and avoiding evil. Paul fires off a series of short yet potent directives: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks, and hold on to the good. These aren’t just platitudes but the core practices that should define every believer’s life.
1 Thessalonians 5 leaves us with both a warning and a blessing. The Day of the Lord will come, but believers can prepare by living lives characterized by vigilance and virtue. The balance of eschatological expectation and earthly responsibility provides a blueprint for Christian living that's as relevant now as it was for the early church.
1 Thessalonians 5
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.)
End of 1 Thessalonians 5
1 Year Plan: Sept 20 - Isa 31, Isa 32, 1 Th 5 [next day]
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.)
End of 1 Thessalonians 5
1 Year Plan: Sept 20 - Isa 31, Isa 32, 1 Th 5 [next day]
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