1 Thessalonians 5:6

“so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober”

“So then”: Since we live in the light (John 8:12). “Let us not sleep”: “Sleep in. figurative or spiritual and moral sense. 'Asleep about spiritual things (Romans 13:11)'” (Fields p. 134). This “means to live as if there will never be. judgment day. Spiritual and moral laxity is indicated” (Hendriksen p. 125). Compare with Matthew 24:42; Matthew 25:13.

“As do the rest”: The same is true to this day. Many in our society seem to have very little interest in spiritual things. They are too busy to investigate and read the Scriptures, and neither are they spiritually sensitive. They just go through life living on. very superficial level (Matthew 6:32). “Let us watch”: To keep awake, to be vigilant and wakeful. This does not mean that we should always be looking at the sky--to see if Jesus is coming, rather this "watchfulness" includes being watchful and vigilant concerning our own spirituality (1 Corinthians 16:13), nipping problems in the bud and repenting when we sin. Using the opportunities that we have to teach others (Colossians 4:5). Alert and on guard against the Devil's temptations (1 Peter 5:8; Acts 20:31), and alert to the needs of other Christians (Galatians 6:1).

“Be sober”: To be discreet and watchful. Hendriksen notes, “The ‘sober' person lives deeply. His pleasures are not primarily those of the senses, like the pleasures of the drunkard for instance, but those of the soul” (p. 125). In contrast to those who had quit working because they were all excited about the Lord's return, the Christian must keep their head on straight. Sober does not mean "stoic", but neither does it mean "out of control".. must remain calm, steady and sane (1 Peter 5:8; 2 Timothy 4:5). This is “an exhortation to temperateness and balance. ‘A state untouched by any slumberous or beclouding influences' (Thayer)” (Morris p. 157). “Calm, collected, circumspect” (Vincent p. 46). Christians must keep their composure. Being. Christian is fantastic and the thought of Jesus coming again is awesome. Yet we can never allow ourselves to become blind to the harsh realities of life: We can fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). We will be tempted (1 Thessalonians 10:13). Others will need our help (Galatians 6:1). The vast majority of the world still remains lost (Matthew 7:13). False teachers abound (1 John 4:1). We can never allow ourselves to think that we have "made it" (1 Peter 3:12), and that all we have to do is sit back and wait.