1 Thessalonians 5:4

Text (1 Thessalonians 5:4)

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief:

Translation and Paraphrase

4.

But you, brothers, are not in (the) darkness (like the Unsaved people in the world who do not watch for the Lord's return. For if you were, it would happen) that the day (of the Lord) would come upon you as a thief (just as it is coming upon them).

Notes (1 Thessalonians 5:4)

1.

Here is a happy reversal: The day of the Lord is coming like a thief. But that day will NOT Overtake Christians like a thief, because they are always watching for it. The Lord comes as a thief in the night, but we Christians are not in the dark.

2.

What a joy it is not to be in spiritual darkness. For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1-2.

3.

A few ancient manuscripts render this verse, that that day should overtake you as thieves, (Moffatt, Goodspeed, Rotherham, and American Standard Vers, margin give this rendering,) This rendering gives the meaning that if we are living in the spiritual darkness of sin, the day of the Lord will surprise us as thieves are surprised when the police appear unexpectedly. Actually this reading has little support in the ancient texts, and we mention it only in case you see it in some version, and wonder about it.