1 Thess. 5

1 Thessalonians 5

The Day of the Lord

But (not only can you find comfort in that those who die in Christ are with Christ, and will return with Christ for their resurrected body) But concerning the times (God’s ordained passing of years, decades, centuries and millennia’s) and the seasons (all the events that God ordains and allows within them—in every individual life and nation), brethren, you have no need that I should write to you (beyond pointing out that God’s design concerning these times and seasons are significant to your comfort). 2 For (it’s significant because) you yourselves know perfectly (accurately, Scripturally) that the day of the Lord (the rapture of the church and 7 year tribulation that follows) so comes as a thief in the night (suddenly, unexpectedly, without warning, or announcement, with no time to prepare). 3 For (example) when they (when non-gospel believers) say, “Peace and safety!” (all’s well, there is no need to worry, no need to keep our guard up, “take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry” [Luke 12:19]) then (in this state of foolishness and unpreparedness) sudden (abrupt and unforeseen) destruction (disaster, calamity) comes upon (over takes) them (i.e., all that makes life normal and worthwhile to them comes to ruin), as (suddenly, as uncontrollably and as excruciatingly as) labor pains upon a pregnant woman.  And they (like the woman in labor as well) shall not escape (the only thing they can do is go through it.  [Can you imagine being in labor for 7 years!?]) 4 But (in contrast to foolish unbelievers) you, brethren (fellow gospel believers), are not in (your are not surrounded by or embedded in this) darkness (in opposition to God and in ignorance to His Word), so that (not being in opposition to God and ignorant of His Word) this Day should overtake (seize, possess, involve) you (gospel believers) as a thief (does, the foolish and unprepared).

5 You (gospel believers) are (not are becoming, but “are”) all (regardless of where you are spiritually—“you are all”) sons (referring to those with full, protection, rights and privileges) of light (of righteousness, having been taken out of darkness—the power and consequences of sin) and (therefore) sons of the day (living out their days in that light rather than the darkness they once were embedded in). We (gospel believers) are not of the night (under the designation and thus destination of the lost and unbelieving) nor of darkness (nor are gospel believers associated with their lifestyle, attitudes and motivations). 6 Therefore (since we are sons of light and of the day) let us not sleep (drop our guard and become careless, fail to redeem the times as the days are evil [Eph. 5:16]—to live in disregard to danger and judgment-day [whether the Great White Throne Judgment for unbelievers or the Judgment Seat of Christ for gospel believers]), as others do (and suffer for it), but (in contrast) let us watch (stay alert) and be sober (clear headed, self-controlled, observant—to live with eternities values in view—“to live is Christ” [Phil. 1:29]).

These passages lead to the following conclusions:

  1. The uncertainty (on our part) of the day and the hour of Christ’s return is a reason for watchfulness (Matt. 24:42; 25:13; Mark 13:35, 37).
  2. Another reason for constant vigilance is the presence of enemies, seen and unseen, who threaten the flock (Acts 20:31; 1 Peter 5:8).
  3. To be watchful means to be spiritually awake (Rev. 3:2, 3; 16:15).
  4. It implies the habit of regular prayer, including thanksgiving (Col. 4:2).
  5. What is probably the fullest description of watchfulness is given in 1 Cor. 16:13, 14: “Be watchful, stand fast in the faith, acquit yourselves like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”[1]

 7 For those who sleep (seeing no need to stay alert), sleep at night (the idea here is that they set up no guards during the night, they maintain no safeguards, ignoring the lurking dangers), and those who get drunk (who see no need to exercise self-control or maintain clarity of mind) are drunk at night (oblivious to the same dangers). 8 But (in contrast to them) let us who are of the day be sober (clear headed, self-controlled, observant—like the soldier on sentry duty continually), putting on (signifying an action that the gospel believer must constantly maintain and arm him or herself with) the breastplate (the protection for our heart that is to be guarded above all else for out of it pour the issues of life— the breastplate) of faith (faith in our Supreme Commander, our Lord Jesus Christ—“without faith it is impossible to please Him” [Heb. 9:6]) and love (“If you love Me, keep My commandments” [John 14:15]), and as a helmet (the protection for our mind) the hope (“God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope” [1 Tim. 1:1]) of salvation (having been saved from the guilt and judgment of sin, being saved from the power and oppression of sin, and ultimately will be saved from sin altogether). 9 For (the reason gospel believers are to stay alert in their faith, love and hope is that) God did not appoint (designate, destine in His times and seasons) us (gospel believers, sons of light and of the day) to wrath (God’s divine judgment against sin and sinners), but (instead) to obtain (receive) salvation (from the judgment of sin as sinners) through (the Person, death, burial and resurrection of) our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us (for our benefit concerning the debt of our sin and our relationship to and with Him), that whether we wake (are alive and watchful to “go with” Christ when He comes for His bride) or sleep (are already home in God’s kingdom and will “come with” Him to receive ones resurrected body—it makes no difference), we (all—because we are all living) should live together (in fellowship, unity, harmony) with Him (at Christ’s side, through His enabling and for His glory.  Whether on earth or in heaven, gospel believers are to live for Christ [Phil. 1:21]).

11 Therefore (because being absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, and because the living will not suffer the coming wrath of God, but will be delivered from it) comfort (encourage, strengthen, console) each other and edify one another (confirm, buttress, build one another up in the continual pursuance of one’s practical sanctification and abiding in and loving God better), just as you also are (presently) doing (now).

Committed and equipped, the Christian soldier stands firm in the faith, stands firm in the face of opposition, stands firm until the end (cf. Eph 6:13–14, 18).[2]

Various Exhortations

12 And (new topic) we urge you, brethren, to recognize (respect the true character, work, value of) those who labor (the idea is “labor” to weariness or even if weary) among you, and are over you (who care for, lead, guide you) in the Lord (in the Lord’s strength, will, wisdom, service and for His glory) and admonish (instruct, encourage, counsel, warn) you, 13 and to esteem (regard, respect) them very highly (super-abundantly, exceedingly, out of measure) in (with, through agape) love (not for their personal sake, but) for their (Lord’s) work’s sake (for the expansion and edification of the Lord’s church).  Be (consistently live, function) at peace (in quietness, in community) among yourselves (under the head of the Church, Jesus Christ).

Warren Wiersbe says:

  • Accept them as God provides them for the church.
  • Appreciate them as their task comes with great responsibility and difficulty.
  • Love them as their labor is in the Lord.
  • Obey them as they lead according to the Holy Spirit.

14 Now we exhort you, brethren (gospel believers), warn (confront, instruct and/or correct) those who are unruly (“those who are out of step, like soldiers who do not keep the ranks—are the fanatics, meddlers, and loafers”[3] those out of line), comfort (come along side, encourage, cheer) the fainthearted (those who are losing heart, “These people need loving instruction from their fellow believers to calm their fears and to build their confidence.”[4]), uphold (cling to, hold on to, wrap your arms around) the weak (“could signify people who lack strength or were physically ill (Acts 4:9), as well as those who were spiritually weak or immature (Rom. 5:6; 1 Cor. 8:9).”[5]), be patient (longsuffering, endure, even tempered) with all (gospel believers and unbelievers).

 15 See (to it, make sure) that no one renders (pays back) evil for evil (a wrong for a wrong, tit for tat) to anyone (gospel believer or unbeliever—this would be the opposite of being “patient with all”), but (instead) always pursue (it may not be accepted, reciprocated or even recognized), but always pursue what is good (in the beneficial sense) both for yourselves and for all (“Love your neighbor as yourself” [Lev. 19:18; Matt. 19:19]).[6]

16 (To be able to accomplish verses 12-15 it is necessary to) Rejoice always, (To rejoice always is to see the hand of God in whatever is happening and to remain certain of God’s future salvation. Without such conviction joy would not be possible in the face of affliction, suffering, and death.[7]  “The joy of the Lord is my strength,” Neh. 8:10)

Joy seems to be distilled from a strange mixture of challenge, risk and hope.

Keith Miller

When you sin and get what you want does it always bring joy and does it ever last?  No.  But, when you deny yourself or suffer for good, can you have joy, and can it last? Yes.

5:16     Rejoice always.  The next three verses give three simple ingredients that believers ought to daily mix into their lives: joy, prayer, and thanks. When these three qualities are present, believers will be vibrant witnesses to a needy world.

Paul counseled this persecuted church to rejoice always. Paul had learned the secret of being joyful, even in the middle of great trial and suffering (verses quoted from NIV):

•   Acts 16:25: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”

•   Romans 5:3: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.”

•   2 Corinthians 6:4–10: “Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”

•   2 Corinthians 12:10: “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

•   Colossians 1:24: “Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.”

Paul had just commanded the believers to love one another and then to rejoice. Interestingly, when Jesus spoke to his disciples about loving one another, he also talked to them about joy:

•   As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:9–13 nrsv, emphasis added)

True joy transcends the rolling waves of circumstance. Joy comes from a consistent [healthy] relationship with Jesus Christ. When believers’ lives are intertwined with Christ, he will help them to walk through adversity without sinking into debilitating lows and to manage prosperity without moving into deceptive highs. The joy of living with Jesus Christ daily will keep believers rejoicing “always.” They can rejoice because of their sure salvation and their future hope. Nothing that happens on this earth can compare with the glory that awaits God’s people.[8]

17 pray without ceasing (be in a prayerful attitude, mindset—be in constant verbal and mental consciousness of, presence of, dependence upon, interchange with God),

The “always” of Jesus and this “ceaselessly” = that we are always to be fit and ready for an approach to God in worshipful praying. This verb is never used with reference to praying to men; it is used only in the full sacred sense of turning to God in worshipful forms. The heart which is ever attuned to God as being his child turns to God as well in its secret thoughts as in its many utterances.[9]

Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to Satan.

John Bunyan[10]

18 in everything (the good, the bad, and in everything between) give thanks (in everything express love and gratitude to God); for this (the always rejoicing, praying without ceasing, and in everything giving thanks) is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (for gospel believers—it’s not God’s will because everything is good, but because everything is used for good—because God doesn’t waste anything—because every experience is an opportunity to grow and glorify God—nothing is disconnected from God’s hand—there isn’t anything that you, Satan or the world can lay in your lap that God can’t turn to spiritual gold). 19 Do not quench (restrain, stop, stifle, depreciate) the Spirit (concerning the will of God for you.  We cannot limit His Person so it must mean His activities, His promptings, standards, values, empowerment’s—Don’t ignore, argue away, or pick and choose from His promptings—Don’t respond as the world does to Him). 20 Do not despise (treat with contempt, make little of, make light of, set at naught) prophecies (God’s revelations: e.g., teaching, instruction, guidance, commands—Don’t hold them in equal esteem with other books of literature—or the words, philosophies and ideas of man).

  • James 3:14–17 – If you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

 21 Test (try, prove, discern) all things (what is true and false); hold fast (retain, seize on) what is good (what is genuine, not counterfeit—like the Bereans: Acts 17:11).

  • 1 Corinthians 6:12 – All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:23 – All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.

 22 Abstain (keep at a distance from you – hold yourself back – whether someone may see it or not) from every form (appearance, fashion – avoid everything that looks wicked to those who happen to see it although it may not be wicked at all…wickedness has many forms, every one of which is really wickedness and also appears so to men, and we are to keep away from every form that wickedness may assume.[11]) of evil (“to be understood in the active sense as denoting something malignant, working mischief, hurting all with whom it comes into contact…  It blasts, poisons, kills. Keep away from it entirely.” [12]).

  • Romans 12:9 – Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
  • 1 Peter 3:11 – Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
  • Job 28:28 – And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.’ ”
  • Psalm 34:14 – Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
  • Psalm 97:10 – You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; he delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.
  • Proverbs 4:27 – Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.
  • Proverbs 14:16 – A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident.

Blessing and Admonition

23 Now (Paul gives a benediction) may the God of peace Himself (“having been justified, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Rom. 5:1 and “God is not the author of confusion but of peace,” 1 Cor. 14:33) sanctify you (separate you from a life of sin for Himself—separate you from character unlike His) completely (entirely, in every way, through and through for God’s exclusive use); and may (this complete sanctification pertain to) your whole (“whole” when no grace is missing… Here “the spirit, the soul, the body,” each entire = unmaimed, unversehrt (C.-K. 605); if they are unpreserved they will be maimed[13]) spirit, soul, and body (the immaterial you as well as the material—no part of our person is to be out of this sanctification) be preserved (guarded, kept, watched over, prevented from escaping or taken) blameless (without fault, accusation or flaw, entirely) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (at the rapture of the church—all pre-tribulation gospel believers). 24 He who calls you (sets you apart) is faithful (trustworthy, dependable, reliable concerning all He has said and planned, His promises, His own nature and character and His gospel believers—this is God’s work, not ours—He is infinitely faithful, not us and thus God is the One), who also will do it (perfectly sanctify you—God’s calling is effectual, victorious, it’s already produced acceptance because God’s will and work can’t fail).

25 Brethren (gospel believers), pray for us (intercede to God on our behalf—as men, as fellow servants, concerning our character, spiritual health, enemies, etc.).

26 Greet all the brethren (fellow gospel believers) with a holy kiss (culturally men kissed men, and women kissed women—a kiss at that time represented love, respect, reconciliation and was used even when signing a contract together—“holy kiss” signified this was to be pure of heart and spiritually generated—“greet fellow believers in the same way you greet family”).

27 I charge you (put you under oath, want you to swear to me) by the Lord (as your witness) that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren (not just to selective ones).

28 The grace (unmerited favor) of our Lord Jesus Christ (the source of this grace) be with you (continue to inhabit, bless and keep you). Amen (so be it).

[1] Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of I-II Thessalonians (Vol. 3, p. 125). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[2] Martin, D. M. (1995). 1, 2 Thessalonians (Vol. 33, p. 166). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

[3] Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of I-II Thessalonians (Vol. 3, p. 136). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[4] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). 1 & 2 Thessalonians: life application commentary (p. 84). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[5] Martin, D. M. (1995). 1, 2 Thessalonians (Vol. 33, p. 178). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

[6] Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17–21 niv) Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). 1 & 2 Thessalonians: life application commentary (p. 86). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[7] Wanamaker, C. A. (1990). The Epistles to the Thessalonians: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 200). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.

[8] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). 1 & 2 Thessalonians: life application commentary (pp. 86–88). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[9] Lenski, R. C. H. (1937). The interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians, to the Thessalonians, to Timothy, to Titus and to Philemon (p. 358). Columbus, OH: Lutheran Book Concern.

[10] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). 1 & 2 Thessalonians: life application commentary (p. 88). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[11] Lenski, R. C. H. (1937). The interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians, to the Thessalonians, to Timothy, to Titus and to Philemon (p. 362). Columbus, OH: Lutheran Book Concern.

[12] Lenski, R. C. H. (1937). The interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians, to the Thessalonians, to Timothy, to Titus and to Philemon (p. 363). Columbus, OH: Lutheran Book Concern.

[13] Lenski, R. C. H. (1937). The interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians, to the Thessalonians, to Timothy, to Titus and to Philemon (p. 366). Columbus, OH: Lutheran Book Concern.