THE FIRST EPISTLE OF Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians.
Chapter 5

1Th 5:1 Closing Admonitions SUMMARY OF I THESSALONIANS 5: The Time of the Lord's Coming Unknown. Will Be Sudden. Hence, Let Us Not Be Asleep. Let Us Have Our Armor on. Mutual Duties of Shepherds and Flock. Christian Life. Benediction. But of the times and the seasons. Especially the time of the Lord's coming, which is the subject in the conclusion of chapter 4. Ye have no need that I write unto you. They had been instructed on this subject.

1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly. They had been fully taught that the time of the Lord's coming was unrevealed, and that it would be unexpected. Compare Mt 24:43 2Th 2:2 2Pe 3:10 Joe 1:15. The day of the Lord. Not alone, the day of each individual's death, nor the destruction of Jerusalem, not of the final coming of the Lord at the end of the world, but rather it may be applied to all of these. As a thief in the night. Without warning. Compare Lu 12:39 Re 3:3.

1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety. When the thoughtless are persuading themselves that there is no ground for apprehension, then sudden destruction cometh upon them. Then destruction shall come as suddenly as the pangs of childbirth.

1Th 5:4 Ye, brethren, are not in darkness. The Christian has been fully instructed, is a child of the light, and knows that he must always be ready. He follows the Light of the World (Joh 8:12 9:5).

1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day. They are of the light, of the day, because they have come to Christ for light, and are taught of him. Hence on this subject they are fully informed. We are not of the night, nor of darkness. Those are "of the night", who turn away from the light and refuse to accept it.

1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others. Since Christians are of the day, they should be wide awake. Day is not the time for sleep. A sleep of the spiritual faculties, which renders one insensible to danger, is meant. Instead of sleeping, Christians should watch and be sober minded. For a comment declaring how we should obey this, turn to Lu 21:34,36.

1Th 5:7 They that sleep sleep in the night. Hence, Christians who are of the day (1Th 5:5), should be wakeful and watching. They that be drunken are drunken in the night. In most countries they are ashamed to be seen intoxicated, and hence choose the night. In the East it is so. Peter thought the fact that it was day, and only nine o'clock, was proof that the scenes of Pentecost were not due to wine (Ac 2:15).

1Th 5:8 Putting on the breastplate of faith and love. The exhortation to the soldierly duties of watchfulness and sobriety suggests the thought of a sentinel and his armor. Compare Eph 6:11,14. There the shield of faith is spoken of; here the breastplate. Both were for the defense of the body. Nothing will better protect the heart from evil thoughts and keep us watching than faith and love. For an helmet, the hope of salvation. See PNT "Eph 6:17". What a power to protect, a blessed hope of salvation through Christ.

1Th 5:9 God hath not appointed us to wrath. Hence it is our privilege to hope for salvation through Christ.

1Th 5:10 Who died for us. That we might secure salvation. Hence our salvation is so assured that even death cannot rob us of it. Whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Whether we are alive, or sleep in death, we shall live together with Christ.

1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together. This assurance is ground for comfort, and especially for comfort for mourners. Edify one another. "Build each other up" (Revised Version); strengthen each other.

1Th 5:12 To know. Recognize and appreciate. Them. Your preachers and elders. Which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you. The three duties of those over them are to labor among them, to rule over them, and to admonish them.

1Th 5:13 Esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. This esteem is due them on account of their work. Compare Heb 13:17 Php 1:22. [And] be at peace among yourselves. Let there be no factious spirit.

1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren. The duties named in this section are those of the elders especially, but in a lesser sense the duty of all. Warn them that are unruly. Those who are wayward, inconsistent, and disposed to follow their own will. Comfort the feebleminded. Timid ones, who are easily discouraged by persecution, or cast down by trouble. Support the weak. Those weak in faith.

1Th 5:15 See that none render evil for evil. See PNT "Ro 12:21". This doctrine was subversive of the practice of the whole world.

1Th 5:16 Rejoice evermore. Religion is not sullen and sour, but full of joy; so full that the saint can even be joyous when all the world seems to frown. He has a hidden source of joy, a present Savior, a blessed hope.

1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing. See notes on Lu 18:1 Eph 6:18.

1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks. Always be thankful for God's benefits, and always express your thanks. For scriptural examples, see Ac 27:35 2Co 1:11 Act 28:15 Eph 5:20. This is the will of God. The three duties just named are probably comprehended (1Th 5:16,17).

1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit. Do not resist it, or counteract its influence by sensual lives. He does who disobeys the word of God, or refuses to follow the exhortations of those led by the Spirit, or who stifle his own conscience.

1Th 5:20 Despise not prophesyings. Inspired teachings. The prophets were specially inspired men in the early church. They were needed, because as yet it did not have the New Testament Scriptures for a guide. This inspired preaching must not be despised.

1Th 5:21 Prove all things. What was spoken they must put to the test, they must hold fast to. There were those who could "discern spirits" (1Co 12:10). There were also rules for testing (1Jo 4:1-8).

1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. The meaning is to avoid evil in every form.

1Th 5:23 The very God of peace. Who bestows peace of soul. Sanctify you wholly. Make you holy in every respect. Your whole spirit and soul and body. Let the whole man "be preserved blameless".

1Th 5:24 Faithful [is] he that calleth you, who also will do [it]. He who has called you is faithful, and if you trust him he will preserve you.

1Th 5:25 Brethren, pray for us. How often Paul requests this prayer! See Eph 6:19 Col 4:3 2Th 3:1.

1Th 5:26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. See notes on Ro 16:16 1Co 16:20.

1Th 5:27 I charge you by the Lord. His affectionate solicitude impels this solemn charge. Otherwise those in charge of the new church might think the letter was for them specially and that they were to teach its spirit and thoughts to the people. That this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. In the public assembly.

1Th 5:28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen. The usual farewell benediction.