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1 Thessalonians Chapter 5

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 28 Verses

What is 1 Thessalonians 5 about?

Encouragement on Christian living, sanctification, and the coming of the Lord for his people. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that aught be written unto you.
2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.
4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief:
5for ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness;
6so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober.
7For they that sleep sleep in the night: and they that are drunken are drunken in the night.
8But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
9For God appointed us not into wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do.
12But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work`s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
14And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all.
15See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all.
16Rejoice always;
17pray without ceasing;
18in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward.
19Quench not the Spirit;
20despise not prophesyings;
21prove all things; hold fast that which is good;
22abstain from every form of evil.
23And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it.
25Brethren, pray for us.
26Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27I adjure you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the brethren.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, etc.] Of the coming of Christ, his “appointed time” and “his day”, as the Ethiopic version renders it; of the resurrection of the dead in Christ first, and of the rapture of all the saints in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, things treated of in the preceding chapter: and which might excite a curiosity to know the times and seasons of them; as in what year they would come to pass; in what season of the year, whether winter or summer; in what month, and on what day of the month; and whether in the night season, or in the daytime; and in what hour, whether at…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“THE SUDDENNESS OF CHRIST'S COMING A MOTIVE FOR WATCHFULNESS; VARIOUS PRECEPTS: PRAYER FOR THEIR BEING FOUND BLAMELESS, BODY, SOUL, AND SPIRIT, AT CHRIST'S COMING: CONCLUSION. (1Th. 5:1-28) times--the general and indefinite term for chronological periods. seasons--the opportune times (Dan 7:12; Act 1:7). Time denotes quantity; season, quality. Seasons are parts of times. ye have no need--those who watch do not need to be told when the hour will come, for they are always ready [BENGEL]. cometh--present: expressing its speedy and awful certainty.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“But of the times and the seasons - See the notes, Acts 1:7. The reference here is to the coming of the Lord Jesus, and to the various events connected with his advent; see the close of 1 Thessalonians 4:0. Ye have no need that I write unto you - That is, they had received all the information on the particular point to which he refers, which it was necessary they should have. He seems to refer particularly to the suddenness of his coming. It is evident from this, as well as from other parts of this Epistle, that this had been, from some cause, a prominent topic which he had dwelt on when he was with them; see the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“But of the precise times when this shall be. 1 Thessalonians 5:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“5:1 Questions such as how and when all this will happen occupied the thoughts of both Jewish and Christian people (Dan 12:6; Matt 24:3; Luke 17:20; Acts 1:6; 1 Pet 1:10-11).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“the times: Mat 24:3, Mat 24:36; Mar 13:30-32; Act 1:7 ye: Th1 4:9; Co2 9:1; Jde 1:3 1 Thessalonians 5:2”
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