Bible Study 1 Thessalonians: 5: 1-28

 

A Commentary of the Book of 1 Thessalonians 

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study 1 Thessalonians: 5: 1-28

Text:

The Day of the Lord

5 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord [a]will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then [b]destruction [c]will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman who is pregnant, and they will never escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you [d]like a thief, 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as [e]others do, but let us be awake and [f]sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be [g]sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not appointed us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore, [h]comfort one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Admonishment and Instruction

12 But we ask of you, brothers, that you know those who labor among you, and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the [i]unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophecies, 21 but examine all things; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every [j]form of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it.

25 Brothers, pray for us[k].

26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I implore you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Verse by verse commentary

Verse 1: “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need of anything to be written to you.”

The Thessalonians are told to prepare for the same thing that will come unexpectedly upon the ungodly, i.e. the Day of the Lord. Paul believes that Christians and non-Christians alike will be alive and present when the Day arrives, Christians watchful and ready, non-Christians surprised as by a thief who comes at night. In other words, the rapture of Christians spoken of in 4:17 will not occur before the arrival of the Day that will also bring sudden and inescapable destruction to the wicked. .

Verse 2: “For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.”

Candidly, Bible verses used to support the Rapture of the church can also be used to apply to the Second Coming of Christ. A prominent designation of the day on which Christ returns. It is well known from the Old Testament, where it is used of God’s drawing near in judgment. This prominent association of the day of the Lord with judgment is carried on in the New Testament, where the last judgment and final rewards and punishments are in view. The coming of Christ will appear without warning to those who are not looking for Him. We must keep an eye looking up for our blessed Savior.

Verse 3: “While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman who is pregnant, and they will never escape.”

Just as false prophets of old fraudulently forecast a happy future, in spite of the imminence of God’s judgment so they will again in future days just before the final day of the Lord's destruction. Paul used the expression “labor pains” to portray the inevitability, suddenness, inescapable nature, and painfulness of the day of the Lord. 

Verse 4: “But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief,”

The Thessalonians are told to prepare for the same thing that will come unexpectedly upon all mankind, that is the day of the Lord. Paul believes that both Christians and non-Christians alike will be alive and present when the Day arrives, Christians watchful and ready, non-Christians surprised as by a thief who comes at night. In other words, the rapture of Christians spoken of in 4:17 will not occur before the arrival of the Day that will also bring sudden and inescapable destruction to the wicked. There is a Day of Judgment coming soon. Believers will be removed from the planet at the Rapture and the world will begin a seven year tribulation period where evil will abound because the retraining power of the Holy Spirit will have been removed. 

Verse 5: “for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;”

The Rapture of the church actually does two things: (1) It ends this day of grace in which we are today, this removal of a people for His name and bringing many sons home to glories of heaven. This is God’s plan in our day. The Rapture not only ends that, but (2) it begins the Day of the Lord. The Great Tribulation will get under way when the church leaves the earth. The one event of the Rapture will end the day of grace and begin the Day of the Lord. It closes one day and opens another. When the Day of the Lord comes, we are going to be with the Lord. We are not in darkness. That day will not overtake us as a thief in the night. He doesn’t come as a thief to take His church. The church is looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearance of our great God and Savior.

Verse 6: “so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be awake and sober.”

Since believers have been delivered from the power of darkness, they are taken out of the night of sin and ignorance and placed into the light of God. Since Christians are in the light, they should not sleep in spiritual indifference and comfort, but be alert to the spiritual issues around them. They are not to live like the sleeping, darkened people who are in habitual sin and who will be shaken out of their coma by the day of the Lord. We are to live alert, balanced, godly lives under power of the truth.

Verse 7: “For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.”

Paul appeals in this verse to everyday experience. Sleeping and drunkenness are most often associated with the night under the cover of darkness. So Paul illustrates his figurative use of "sleep" in v.6 by referring to the normal habit of sleep and uses "drunkenness" to point up his reference to sobriety.

Verse 8: “But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.”

Paul pictured the Christian life in military terms as being a life of soberness (alertness) and proper equipping. The soldier should be constantly on guard and on watch. The “breastplate” covers the vital organs of the body. “Faith” is an essential protection against temptations, because it is trust in God’s promise, plan, and truth. It is an unwavering belief in God’s Word that protects us from temptation’s arrows. Our mind is protected by the helmet of salvation and we are to renew it daily by reading, meditating and praying the Word of God. 

Verse 9: “For God has not appointed us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

God has appointed His people to obtain salvation and glory through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet the Thessalonians and many other Christians have been appointed by God to undergo and withstand tribulation of every kind. God is Sovereign over His people and will appoint them to salvation and equally, appoint them to receive tribulation. Whatever we receive from His hand will be for our good and His will. 

Verse 10: “who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.”

This analogy goes back to earlier verses and refers to being physically alive or dead with the promise that, in either case, we will one day live together forever with the Savior who died as the substitute for our sins. You must have a sacrifice for your sins. If you don’t have a substitute, you will pay for your sins throughout eternity. If Christ is your substitute, He will have paid for your sins so you can live forever with Him. 

Verse 11: “Therefore, comfort one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”

The first commandment is to “comfort one another,” which means to encourage one another in the faith. The second commandment is to “build up one another.” You and I should be a team working together, building each other up with the Word of God. Our focus should be on the Word of God.

Verse 12: “But we ask of you, brothers, that you know those who labor among you, and lead you in the Lord and admonish you,”

Even at this early stage in the life of the church there were leaders who had spiritual care and oversight over the flock of God. Paul encourages a proper respect for church workers and leaders, asking for love and respect for them. 

Verse 13: “and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.”

In addition to knowing pastors, congregations are to think rightly and lovingly of their pastors, not because of their natural gifts of charm or personality, but because of the fact that they work for the Chief Shepherd as His special servants bringing the Word of God to the congregations.

Verse 14: “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”

In these verses, he presents how the people are to treat one another in the fellowship of the church. The “unruly,” those out of line, must be warned and instructed to get back in line. The “fainthearted,” those in fear and doubt, must be encouraged and made bold. The “weak,” those without spiritual and moral strength, must be held up firmly. Patience, forgiveness, and acts of goodness must prevail between all the people in the church.

Verse 15: “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.”

A Christian should always seek justice for others. It is a significant part of Christian morality that the Christian, following the example of Christ, should refuse to seek personal retaliation. We are never to repay evil for good. I have witnessed the unintended consequences of such behavior many times throughout the years. We are to avoid evil for good, evil for evil, and concentrate on doing good to others as it is in our ability and common sense to do so. Referencing the latter, if someone is trying to kill me, I am not required to seek their good but rather to seek my good in avoiding violence to myself or loved ones. 

Verse 16: “Rejoice always;”

Joy is appropriate at all times. This is not the same as happiness in a set of circumstances. While I may not be able to control what happens to me, I can control my response. When I consider what eternity holds for me and other true believers, I can rejoice in my future in the glories of heaven. That enables me to “rejoice always.”

Verse 17: “pray without ceasing;”

This has to do with an attitude of prayer. I don’t think this means that one is to stay on his knees all the time. But it means to pray regularly and to be constantly in the attitude of prayer. This verse is not designed to create a law that must be obeyed, but rather to see prayer as part of our attitude as we live our days, perhaps working or studying. When you are in an attitude of prayer, you are mindful of the goodness and grace of God. As we ponder His attributes, we should be amazed that He loves us and has elected us to salvation. That is prayer as well.

Verse 18: “in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Thanklessness is a trait of unbelievers. This tells us to “give thanks” in all circumstances, not just at Thanksgiving, but all the time. This “is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” If you ask what is the will of God for you, I can tell you three specific things that are the will of God for you, guaranteed: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in everything. That is the will of God for you.

Verse 19: “Do not quench the Spirit;”

The fire of God’s Holy Spirit is not to be doused with sin. Sin will cause the Spirit to depart from people and situations. Believers are also instructed to not grieve the Holy Spirit, but to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and to walk by the Holy Spirit, and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Verse 20: “do not despise prophecies,”

Paul instructs the Thessalonians not to despise legitimate prophecy; both Silas and Paul were “prophets”. Nevertheless, claims to divine prophecy must be tested and not accepted uncritically. However, the canon of Scripture is now closed. There are no prophets today in a sense that they speak regarding things yet to occur. In a general sense, prophets today declare God’s Word as revealed in the Scriptures.

Verse 21: “but examine all things; hold fast to that which is good;”

This verse calls for careful examination and discernment is in response to the command of verse 20. One is never to downgrade the preaching of God’s Word, but to examine what is preached very carefully. What is found to be “good” is to be wholeheartedly embraced. What is “evil” or unbiblical is to be shunned. Be mindful that Satan has his ministers in church pulpits that have a mission to deceive people and keep them from Christ. You see this today with the missing doctrine of the church: repentance. There is no salvation without repentance. Thankfully, repentance is a gift granted to the elect.

Verse 22: “abstain from every form of evil.”

I like the King James Bible’s translation better. It says to “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” We are to live our lives to avoid even the slightest suspicion of committing sin. The old saying is that you may be the only Bible someone reads today. If so, what is your message?

Verse 23: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul having concluded all the exhortations beginning in chapter 4 and especially from the short pithy commands in this chapter, he ends the benediction acknowledging the source for obeying and fulfilling them all. It is not within human will or power to be sanctified in all these ways. It is only through the power of a yielded life to the control of the Holy Spirit that one can be sanctified (made holy and set apart). Flesh cannot be holy on its own.

Verse 24: “Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it.”

You can depend upon God. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit will never let you down. He will guide His sheep to their eternal destination. You have His Word.

Verse 25: “Brothers, pray for us.”

This command is to pray for those who give out the gospel. You can’t pray for Paul today, but you can pray for your minister, and your missionaries. 

Verse 26: “Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.”

This was a cultural expression when people met in Bible times. In our culture and with our customs, a warm handshake seems more appropriate.

Verse 27: “I implore you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.”

The Greek verb translated “implore” is unusually strong. Paul is laying a solemn charge upon them that the whole congregation must learn the contents of this epistle. This was written to new believers as a guide to their new lives in Christ and we would do well to use it in the same way.

Verse 28: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”

This is a wonderful way to end our conversations and communications with fellow believers.