1 Thessalonians 5
New
American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Day of
the Lord
5 Now as to
the times and the epochs, brethren, 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 labour pains upon a woman with
child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, 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 alert and[f]sober. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping 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 destined 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 hTherefore ]encourage one another and build up one another, just as you
also are doing.
Christian
Conduct
12 But we request of you, brethren, that you [i]appreciate those who diligently labour among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and
give you [j]instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their
work. Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the [k]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 prophetic [l]utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every [m]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 calls you, and He also will bring it
to pass.
25 Brethren, pray for us[n].
26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The Bible Panorama
1
Thessalonians 5
V
1–3: SUDDEN SURPRISE When the
world least expects Christ, and when it is said that peace and safety has come,
Jesus will return ‘as a thief in the night’. This is as sure to happen as the
labour of a pregnant woman will bring forth birth.V 4–11: WAKEFUL WATCH The world is not prepared for that. Christians should be ready and waiting for the coming of the Lord. Preparation for this event involves living a sober life characterised by faith, love, assurance of salvation, comforting one another, and building one another up in the faith. Christians, whether sleeping the sleep of death or awake at Christ’s coming, rejoice that He died for them and that they will be together with Him. Salvation, not wrath, awaits them. This knowledge comforts those worried about the salvation of Christians who have died.
V 12–22: WISE WORDS Paul then exhorts the Thessalonians in different practical matters. We see in these that true spirituality is always translated into practical living, working on good relationships with others, turning from evil, rejoicing, prayer, honouring God’s Spirit, Christian discernment, and submitting to God with thankfulness for who He is and what He has done.
V 23–24: COMPLETE CONSECRATION Paul prays that God will sanctify the Christians completely in spirit, soul and body, so that they are ready for the coming of the Lord Jesus who is faithful to them.
V 25–28: GRACIOUS GREETINGS Paul’s greetings include a request for prayer, a holy kiss for them all, an instruction to read the letter to everyone, and the desire that they will know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ with them.
The Bible Panorama. Copyright © 2005 Day One Publications.
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