1 Thessalonians 5:1-28
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comforta yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhortb you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
27 I chargec you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. [The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.]
Under the figure of a camp in which fully armed soldiers are waiting for the break of day, while those not expecting this are sleeping and drunken, the apostle shows that those waiting for the Son are children of light, and therefore called upon to live in watchfulness and sobriety.
In view of the glorious certainty of hope the apostle urged them to continue in the 'labour of love" in serving "a living and true God." There follow brief injunctions (verses 1Th 5:17-20) which perfectly set forth the true attitude demanded of the saints. Every one of the injunctions will bear close examination.
The apostle finally declared his desire and assurance concerning these Thessalonian Christians. His desire was that they might be sanctified wholly by "the God of peace Himself." That entire sanctification is described as the preservation of "spirit and soul and body at the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." The letter closes with words that are entirely personal. Conscious of the difficulties of his own position at Corinth, from where he had written, the apostle craves their co-operation in prayer. The last words are of most sacred benediction. Their faith and love and hope are all centered on the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him grace had been manifested for their salvation; in Him they stood in the grace which conditioned their service and their growth; and at His Coming the grace of the first epiphany would merge into the glory of the second. Thus the apostle committed the Thessalonians to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ in order to establish them in faith, in love, and in hope.