1Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you.
2For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.
5For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
6So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.
7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.
9For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.
11Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
12But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.
13In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
14And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
15Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
16Rejoice at all times.
17Pray without ceasing.
18Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19Do not extinguish the Spirit.
20Do not treat prophecies with contempt,
21but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.
22Abstain from every form of evil.
23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.
25Brothers, pray for us as well.
26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
1 Thessalonians 5 Verse Notes
1 Thess 5:1
Differing Eschatological Views in Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians presents an imminent expectation of Jesus' return, with Paul stating 'we who are alive' will be caught up. In contrast, 2 Thessalonians suggests a process of events, including the revelation of the 'lawless one,' must occur before the Day of the Lord, indicating a potentially more distant future and a shift in eschatological perspective.
Summarized by AI · The New Testament: Exploring the Christian Bible · Lecture 21: Are Some New Testament Letters Forged? · watch the clip
Context of 1 Thessalonians 5 clarifies Jesus' return
When 1 Thessalonians 4 is read in conjunction with chapter 5, it becomes clear that Jesus' return is not to remove believers to heaven for seven years, but rather to initiate destruction and judgment. Paul likens Jesus' return to an angry king arriving at a city, where his loyal subjects go out to meet him and escort him back into the city to begin his campaign against enemies, not to escape.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Is the Rapture Really in the Bible��or Was It Invented Later? · watch the clip
1 Thess 5:9
Paul's Apocalyptic Expectations
Paul's understanding of salvation is deeply rooted in apocalyptic expectations, as evidenced in 1 Corinthians 15. He anticipates a coming kingdom, a great judgment, and the transformation of human bodies into spiritual bodies, reflecting a future-oriented eschatology.
Summarized by AI · The New Testament: Exploring the Christian Bible · Lecture 20: Collecting Paul’s Letters · watch the clip
1 Thess 5:15
Paul on Repaying Evil
Paul's instruction to 'not repay evil for evil' but to always seek good aligns with philosophical concepts prevalent in Greek thought, such as those expressed by Plato. This shared moral ground would have made Paul's ethical teachings more relatable and acceptable to his Greek listeners.
Summarized by AI · Cities of the Bible · Lecture 5: Athens · watch the clip
1 Thess 5:17
Praying Always: New Testament Motif
Luke's interpretation of the parable as a lesson on praying always and not losing heart aligns with other New Testament teachings. Paul, in 1 Thessalonians, encourages praying without ceasing, and 2 Timothy speaks of constant prayer. This motif suggests that continuous engagement with God, through both direct prayer and moral action, is a form of constant devotion.
Summarized by AI · The Parables of Jesus: Jewish Insights into Gospel Ethics, Humor, and Provocation · Lecture 4: Persevering Widow and Unjust Judge | How Parables Promote and Demote Women · watch the clip
1 Thess 5:27
Public Reading of Paul's Letters
Paul explicitly instructs in 1 Thessalonians 5:27 that his letter should be read aloud to all the brothers and sisters. This suggests that his letters were intended for public recitation within the early Christian communities, likely due to widespread illiteracy.
Summarized by AI · The New Testament: Exploring the Christian Bible · Lecture 20: Collecting Paul’s Letters · watch the clip
