1 Thessalonians 5

The apostle reminds believers that the Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly for the unprepared, but as children of light, they should remain vigilant and sober, armed with faith, love, and the hope of salvation. He provides practical instructions for community life, urging mutual respect, patience, and the pursuit of good, alongside spiritual admonitions to rejoice, pray, give thanks, and discern spiritual gifts. Finally, he prays for their complete sanctification and blameless preservation until Christ's coming.

Paul begins by asserting that the Thessalonians already understand the sudden, thief-like coming of the Day of the Lord, which will bring destruction upon those living in darkness. He contrasts this with believers, who are children of light and day, called to be watchful and sober, not sleeping like others. They are to put on the spiritual armor of faith, love, and the hope of salvation, understanding that God has appointed them to salvation through Christ, who died for them to live with Him. The epistle then shifts to practical exhortations, urging them to esteem their spiritual leaders, maintain peace, and practice virtues such as warning the unruly, comforting the weak, and being patient with all. Further, believers are commanded to rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, not to quench the Spirit or despise prophesyings, but to prove all things and abstain from every appearance of evil. The chapter concludes with a prayer for their complete sanctification—spirit, soul, and body—to be preserved blameless until the Lord's return, along with personal requests and greetings.

The apostle Paul commences by stating that there is no need to instruct the Thessalonians concerning the specific "times and seasons" of the Lord's return, as they are well aware that the "day of the Lord" will arrive unexpectedly, "as a thief in the night." He warns that sudden destruction will come upon those who proclaim "peace and safety" while remaining spiritually unprepared. In contrast, believers are identified as "children of light" and "children of the day," implying that this day should not overtake them unawares. Therefore, they are exhorted to remain spiritually awake and sober, unlike those who metaphorically "sleep" or are "drunken" in the night. They are encouraged to don the spiritual "breastplate of faith and love" and the "helmet, the hope of salvation," recognizing that God has destined them not for wrath, but to obtain salvation through Jesus Christ, who died for them so they might live with Him, whether awake or asleep. Transitioning to practical community life, Paul urges the believers to comfort and edify one another. He instructs them to acknowledge and highly esteem those who labor among them, are over them in the Lord, and admonish them, fostering peace within the community. Specific pastoral duties are outlined: warning the unruly, comforting the feebleminded, supporting the weak, and exercising patience toward all individuals. A crucial ethical principle is established: never retaliate evil for evil, but consistently pursue that which is good, both among themselves and towards all people. The epistle then presents a series of concise, potent spiritual commands: "Rejoice evermore," "Pray without ceasing," and "In every thing give thanks," affirming these as the will of God in Christ Jesus. Believers are cautioned not to "quench the Spirit" or "despise prophesyings," but rather to "prove all things" and "hold fast that which is good," while also diligently abstaining "from all appearance of evil." The chapter culminates with a fervent prayer for the "very God of peace" to sanctify them entirely, preserving their "whole spirit and soul and body" blameless until the glorious coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, trusting in God's faithfulness. Paul concludes with a request for prayer, a command for a holy greeting, an injunction for the epistle to be read to all brethren, and a final benediction of grace.