1 Thessalonians 5 KJV
The Day of the Lord
1 Thessalonians Chapter 5: The Day of the Lord
This chapter explores themes of Prayer, Gratitude. The phrase 'peace and safety' in verse 3 mirrors the Roman imperial slogan 'pax et securitas,' framing the empire's propaganda as a false assurance preceding sudden judgment.
1ut of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their workโs sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
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Did You Know?
The phrase 'peace and safety' in verse 3 mirrors the Roman imperial slogan 'pax et securitas,' framing the empire's propaganda as a false assurance preceding sudden judgment.
Paul's trichotomous reference to 'spirit and soul and body' being preserved blameless in verse 23 stands out as one of the New Testament's rare explicit distinctions of three human components, contrasting typical dichotomies.
The cluster of imperatives 'rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, in every thing give thanks' forms a deliberate triad of continuous practices that echoes Jewish liturgical rhythms while adapting them to Gentile converts.
The warning 'quench not the Spirit' followed immediately by 'despise not prophesyings' indicates Paul was addressing active suppression of spontaneous charismatic speech within the Thessalonian assembly.
The chapter's closing command to have the letter read 'unto all the holy brethren' reflects an early mechanism for circulating apostolic teaching beyond local leaders, paralleling synagogue practices for prophetic scrolls.