The Christians were not in the inattentive position of the unbelievers. They were enlightened with the truth about these matters. Ours is not to speculate about His return. Ours is to stay ready for it! See Matthew 24:43: "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into."

First Thessalonians chapter five consists of three parts. In the first part of the chapter (verses 1-11) Paul continues the subject of chapter four, that is, the second coming of Christ. In the second part he closes the letter with a number of practical exhortations (verses 12-22). The third part contains Paul’s benediction (verses 23-28).

Practical uses of this chapter for preachers and teachers:

Of the seemingly endless passion many have for trying to set the date of Christ’s coming, verse one, coupled with passages like Acts 1:7 and Matthew 24:36 and 43 can be used to correct this error. The current belief that things will be very bad before the Lord returns is in serious question when we read verse 3. It should be noted that the popular premillennial view of the "secret rapture of the saints" is also in serious jeopardy from chapter 4, verse 16 (chapter 4 is in the same context as chapter 5, verse 2). Certainly the thief is noisy if he plans to sneak the saints off the earth! Much could be said about Paul’s light/darkness metaphor contrasting two styles of living with two opposite results (see verses 4-10 of this chapter). In verse 12 Paul gives various approaches to people with different characteristics in the church. One approach doesn’t fit all! The rejoice/pray/be thankful admonitions of verses 16-18 are always in style, as is the admonition to examine everything carefully, reject the bad and hang onto the good of verses 12-22. There is much to preach and teach about in this chapter!

"Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren" – The word "times" in Greek is kronon from which we derive common words in our language like "chronology," "chronograph," and "chronological order." "Epochs" in Greek is kairon. It means "seasons" or "occasions." See Acts 1:7 where the soon to be apostles were told, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority…."

"you have no need of anything to be written to you" - See 1 Thessalonians 1:10 where the Thessalonians were told to "wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come." They had been given all the information they were going to receive as to the timing. Theirs (and ours) is simply to wait on His timing.

"For your yourselves know full well" – You have been fully informed already. Greek word for "fully" is akribos. It has the implication of "accuracy." It is translated "exact" in Luke 24:22 and "carefully" in Luke 1:3. The Thessalonians had received from Paul accurate, carefully taught information on the Second Coming.

"that the day of the Lord" – See also 1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10. Note especially that Peter tells us in this last cross reference what will happen on "the day of the Lord." According to his teaching, "the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will melt with intense heat." This is not a "secret rapture of the saints" with a seven year "tribulation" to follow. This is the end of time!

"just like a thief in the night" – That is, unexpectedly, not silently. See 1 Thessalonians 4:16. The thief comes when you are not expecting him.

"While they are saying ‘Peace and safety!’" The wicked will feel secure and safe before His coming. So it was in the time of Noah. See Matthew 24:37-44. This is contrary to the notion that the world will be in chaos at the time of His coming.

"then destruction will come upon them suddenly" – No gradual buildup of indicators here.

"like birth pangs upon a woman with child" – One moment she is without pain, the next she is in great pain.

"and they shall not escape" – Though some might anticipate a last minute warning and opportunity to repent, no such buildup or warning will be there.

"But you, brethren" – Over and against "them" in verse 3, "you are different than they."

"are not in darkness" – The Christians were not in the inattentive position of the unbelievers. They were enlightened with the truth about these matters. Ours is not to speculate about His return. Ours is to stay ready for it! See Matthew 24:43: "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into."

"that the day should overtake you like a thief" – The day of His return.

"for you are all sons of light and sons of day" – Two metaphors that set up a contrast between believers and unbelievers. Believers are of the light and are thus, enlightened about these things.

"so then let us not sleep" – That is, let us not cease to pay attention to the things under discussion.

"as others do" – As the wicked world.

"but let us be alert and sober" – Two conditions of readiness. See also Matthew 25:13: "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour." The word "sober" here is the Greek word nepho. Used literally it means under the influence of intoxicants. Used figuratively, as it is here, it means free from the influence of intoxicating carnal practices and indulgences. Such practices take the edge off our spiritual awareness and cause us to become inattentive.

"For those who sleep do their sleeping at night" – More use of the figurative difference between believers and unbelievers.

"and those who get drunk" – That is "intoxicated" by any behavior that takes away their attentiveness. To be ready for the Lord’s coming we need all of our senses. We cannot afford to dull them on any behavior that takes this away.

"But since we are of the day" – That is we’re awake, aware, diligent, sober, sharp minded, in the light where we can see clearly.

"having put on the breastplate of faith" – A favorite expression of Paul. See Ephesians 6:14.

"and as a helmet, the hope of salvation" – See Ephesians 4:17. The breastplate and helmet were two of the key pieces of defensive armor that guarded the vital parts of the body. Likewise faith and the hope of salvation guard us from the deadly arrows of the enemy.

"For God has not destined us for wrath" – It was a great point among ancient people, when entering a battle, to secure evidence that the gods’ favored them and would give them victory. Paul is assuring the Christians that their God had not destined that they should be punished. Note that even though He had "destined" them "for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ," they were still called to be sober and active. There is no assurance here that should cause Christians to relax. God’s predestining was that His people should stay alert and remain in Christ!

Note: God predestined that the church will be saved. We must stay in Him and among His people if we wish to be part of that destiny.

"who died for us" – This explains how He obtained our salvation.

"that whether we are awake or asleep" – This goes back to the context in chapter 4, verse 13. It means whether we are alive or dead at His coming. This answers their original question as to whether those who die before Christ’s return will miss the benefits. No, they won’t.

"Therefore encourage one another" – We need constant encouragement from each other to stay alert, to stay in the game. We will not do well without the encouragement of other Christians.

"and build one another up" – The Greek word is oikodomeo. It means literally, "to build a house." We need constant encouragement and building up.

"just as you are also doing" – Again, they were doing it already, but there is never a time when we should let up.

"But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate" – Greek word for "appreciate" is oida. It means "to know or understand." Paul did not want them to take their leaders for granted. He wanted them to understand the sometimes difficult work they did and its importance and appreciate the sacrifice that was made. This word doesn’t mean give them a party. It means to genuinely assess the magnitude of their work because you have made the effort to understand it. Our English word "appreciate" means "to recognize the quality, significance, or magnitude of; to be fully aware and sensitive to." Those preachers and teachers who worked among the Thessalonians dealt in matters of eternal life and death. When they did it diligently this was to be understood and appreciated.

"those who diligently labor among you"- This kind of appreciation goes rightly to those who labor diligently and are genuinely involved in the work, not to slackers.

"and have charge over you in the Lord" – The Greek word for "charge" is proistemi. It means "to stand before, i.e., (in rank) to preside." (Strong) This would be the leaders in the church, primarily the elders and evangelists. While these leaders were not to "lord it over" the church, i.e., subject the church to their own whims (2 Corinthians 1:24) they did exercise authority in their work that was rooted in the written word of God. (See 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Titus 2:15; Hebrews 13:17.) This "charge" was "in the Lord."

"and give you instruction" – Greek word is noutheteo. It means "to put in mind, to warn." It means more than merely passing along information. It also involves applying the information and calling for compliance and warning against non-compliance.

The work of the church goes much better when all submit to the will of God in these matters. Rebellion and disrespect have no place in the Lord’s body.

"and that you esteem them very highly in love" - Our English word "esteem" means "to regard with respect." These leaders were not only to be esteemed but esteemed "very highly." Why?

"because of their work" – This esteem was not because these people were something special in themselves. It was because of the work they did. Someone once said, "Perhaps if the words of this verse were applied more often and consistently, we would see more young men volunteering for full-time Christian service."

"Live at peace with one another."- When the church is at peace with itself it can reach out and do the work it is called to do. A wrangling church where there are power struggles and disrespect for authority will never accomplish the calling of the Great Commission.

Notice three approaches for three kinds of people. Not one approach should be employed with all.

"admonish the unruly" – "Admonish" is the same word as in verse 12 above. It is noutheteo. It means to instruct and to warn. It implies a calling to account. The "unruly" in Greek is ataktos. It means "disorderly" or "against orderliness." It was used as a military term for those not keeping rank or insubordination.

"encourage the fainthearted" – Someone who is "fainthearted" is deficient in courage, timid, afraid. Such ones need to be encouraged by those who are stronger to maintain and continue in the faith. We encourage them by our words and by our strong examples.

"help the weak" – The word "help" here is the Greek word antechomai. It means to hold up, prop up, or support.

"be patient with all men." – Patience is the ruling virtue when dealing with all kind of people. While spoken to leaders, 2 Timothy 2:23-26 is good commentary on this: "And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will."

"See that no one repays another with evil for evil" – The so called "right of revenge" does not belong to individual Christians. See Romans 12:17; 1 Peter 3:9. This does not mean that the state cannot avenge wrongdoers under due process of the law. See 1 Peter 2:13-14.

"but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men." – We might say, "always work for the greater good." There are things far more important that "getting even" for petty wrongs.

"Rejoice always" – See Philippians 3:1; 4:4. What does a Christian have to rejoice about? Matthew 5:12: "Rejoice and be glad for your reward in heaven is great." Luke 10:20: "Rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven."

"pray without ceasing" – Should we view this as a legalistic command, i.e., "If you aren’t praying continually, you are sinning," or as permission to pray as often and as continually as we wish? Example: I could say, "If you don’t utilize the whole house I’m going to take it back." Or, I could say, "Go ahead! Use the whole house! Don’t feel constrained to use just one tiny room." Prayer is a privilege! Romans 12:12 says, "be devoted to prayer."

"in everything give thanks" – See Ephesians 5:20; Phil 4:6. We need to cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving, for "what do you have that you did not receive?" (1 Corinthians 4:7)

This could be a reference to disrespecting prophetic utterances that were present in the early church. See verse 20. Or it could simply mean "don’t do anything that will retard the influence of God’s Spirit in your life. NIV says, "Do not put out the Spirit’s fire."

In a day when the nine miraculous spiritual gifts were functioning (see 1 Corinthians 14) it could be that some gifts were more highly valued than others. This happened at Corinth were many could speak in tongues but Paul said that the greater gift was prophecy. (See 1 Corinthians 14:1)

Satan is the great deceiver. He will try anything to deceive. Thus the ever vigilant Christian must carefully examine everything that comes into his/her life, rejecting what is evil and holding even more tightly to what is good.

Evil comes in many forms. In fact, evil may be the ultimate "shape shifter." We are not to indulge or even tolerate evil. We are to abstain.

"may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely" – Here on earth we are to "be holy ourselves in all our behavior." (1 Peter 1:15) However, we fall short of this goal. In the end, on the basis of our faith, God will finish the job we have started.

"and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete" – Perhaps this is a reference to their still being alive at the coming of Christ. "May you live until He comes."

This probably refers to the previous phrase: "the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." He will return! Or it could refer to His sanctifying us completely when He comes.

Always a good request.

In their culture a kiss of greeting was as acceptable and expected as a handshake in ours. The "holy kiss" had nothing sensual or base in it. It was simply a warm-hearted greeting. It was a "holy" kiss.

This adds more evidence to our understanding that Paul’s letters were intended for circulation and not just for one church or region. They were applicable to all Christians. See also 1 Corinthians 4:16; Galatians 1:2; Colossians 4:16; Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22.

Dave Redick is Minister of the Hwy 20 Church of Christ in Sweet Home, Oregon and Editor of The Preacher's Study. He may be reached at pstudysupport@comcast.net.

Copyright © 1996-2008 by The Preacher's Study. Permission is granted to subscribers to use this document in total or in sermon preparation in the context of the local congregation only. Publishing it in a book, on the Internet, or anyplace beyond the local congregation is prohibited.

All Scripture quotations and references are from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise stated.

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