1 Thessalonians 5:8

Text (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

8 But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

Translation and Paraphrase

8.

But (rather than sleeping and being drunken) let us who are (children) of the day be sober, (and this we can do by) putting on a breastplate of faith and love, and (as) a helmet (the) hope of salvation.

Notes (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

1.

When the captain of our salvation returns, will we be alert, disciplined, armed soldiers, or will be be drunken, sleeping, sprawling slackers lying about in the barracks?

2.

Paul urges upon us the necessity of being sober. This is the opposite of both sleeping and being drunken. The Greek word (nepho) means to be calm and collected in spirit, It is the same word as is used in 1 Thessalonians 5:6.

3.

Paul's thoughts in this verse are echoed in Romans 13:12-13: The night is far gone (and) the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the full armor of light. Let us live and conduct ourselves honorably and becomingly as in the (open light of) day; not in reveling (carousing) and drunkenness, not in immorality and debauchery (sensuality and licentiousness), not in quarreling and jealousy. (Amplified New Testament)

4.

The Scripture often compares righteousness, faith, and such things to armor such as soldiers wear. See Isaiah 59:17 and Ephesians 6:13-17.

5.

The breastplate of faith and love will protect the heart from evil thoughts, and keep us watching for the Lord's coming.

Since faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17), we ought to devote time to reading or hearing the word of God every day. But very few Christians even spend fifteen minutes a day with God's word. And few churches are truly grounded in the word of God. We need to take more seriously this command to put on the breastplate of faith and love.

6.

Love must be combined with faith. Though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2.

7.

In this verse Paul urges us to put on the hope of salvation as a helmet. In Ephesians 6:17, salvation itself is called the helmet. A helmet serves both as a protection in battle, and as an adornment when the battle is won. Our salvation is a protection to us. God will not let Satan tempt us more than we can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13. Our salvation is an adornment, shining from our faces in friendliness, happiness, seriousness, kindness, and assurance.

8.

The Christian life is

(1)

A battle requiring armor. 1 Thessalonians 5:8.

(2)

A prize-fight, requiring self-discipline. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27.

(3)

A race requiring training and patience. 1 Corinthians 9:24; Hebrews 12:1.