1 Thessalonians 5
5
The Day of the Lord
1Now as to the #5:1 The Greek word here for times refers to the length of time (indicating how long one must wait for something), while the word for dates refers to the particular time that a significant event will happen.times and dates, #5:1 Lit brethren.brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord is coming just as a thief [comes unexpectedly and suddenly] in the night. 3While they are saying, “Peace and safety [all is well and secure!]” then [in a moment unforeseen] destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains on a woman with child, and they will absolutely not escape [for there will be no way to escape the judgment of the Lord]. 4But you, #5:4 Lit brethren.believers, [all you who believe in Christ as Savior and acknowledge Him as God’s Son] are not in spiritual darkness [nor held by its power], that the day [of judgment] would overtake you [by surprise] like a thief; 5for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We do not belong to the night nor to darkness. 6So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise]. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation. 9For God has not destined us to [incur His] wrath [that is, He did not select us to condemn us], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died [willingly] for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) [at Christ’s appearing], we will live together with Him [sharing eternal life]. 11Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.
Christian Conduct
12Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to appreciate those who diligently work among you [recognize, acknowledge, and respect your leaders], who are in charge over you in the Lord and who give you instruction, 13and [we ask that you appreciate them and] hold them in the highest esteem in love because of their work [on your behalf]. Live in peace with one another. 14We [earnestly] urge you, believers, admonish those who are out of line [the undisciplined, the unruly, the disorderly], encourage the timid [who lack spiritual courage], help the [spiritually] weak, be very patient with everyone [always controlling your temper]. [Is 35:4] 15See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek that which is good for one another and for all people. 16Rejoice always and delight in your faith; 17be unceasing and persistent in prayer; 18in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 19Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit. 20Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or prophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning]. 21But test #5:21 Or everyone, that is, anyone claiming to be a prophet.all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil [withdraw and keep away from it].
23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you [to Himself for your salvation], and He will do it [He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own].
25Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
26Greet all the believers with a holy #5:26 Greeting other believers with a kiss on the cheek would be the equivalent of today’s handshake, pat on the back, or casual hug.kiss [as brothers and sisters in God’s family]. 27I solemnly charge you by the Lord to have this letter read before all the #5:27 Lit brethren.congregation.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
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1 Thessalonians 5
5
Be Ready for the Lord's Coming
1There is no need to write to you, brothers and sisters, about the times and occasions when these things will happen. 2#Mt 24.43; Lk 12.39; 2 Pet 3.10For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief comes at night. 3When people say, “Everything is quiet and safe,” then suddenly destruction will hit them! It will come as suddenly as the pains that come upon a woman in labour, and people will not escape. 4But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness, and the Day should not take you by surprise like a thief. 5All of you are people who belong to the light, who belong to the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, we should not be sleeping like the others; we should be awake and sober. 7It is at night that people sleep; it is at night that they get drunk. 8#Is 59.17; Eph 6.13–17But we belong to the day, and we should be sober. We must wear faith and love as a breastplate, and our hope of salvation as a helmet. 9God did not choose us to suffer his anger, but to possess salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us in order that we might live together with him, whether we are alive or dead when he comes. 11And so encourage one another and help one another, just as you are now doing.
Final Instructions and Greetings
12We beg you, our brothers and sisters, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life. 13Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves.
14We urge you, our brothers and sisters, to warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15See that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but at all times make it your aim to do good to one another and to all people.
16Be joyful always, 17pray at all times, 18be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.
19Do not restrain the Holy Spirit; 20do not despise inspired messages. 21Put all things to the test: keep what is good 22and avoid every kind of evil.
23May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being — spirit, soul, and body — free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24He who calls you will do it, because he is faithful.
25Pray also for us, brothers and sisters.
26Greet all the believers with a holy kiss.
27I urge you by the authority of the Lord to read this letter to all the believers.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.