1 Thessalonians 5:3

“For when they shall say, etc.] Or men shall say, that is, wicked and ungodly men, persons in a state of unregeneracy: peace and safety; when they shall sing a requiem, to themselves, promise themselves much ease and peace for years to come, and imagine their persons and property to be very secure from enemies and oppressors, and shall flatter themselves with much and long temporal happiness: then sudden destruction cometh upon them; as on the men of the old world in the times of Noah, and on the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah in the days of Lot; for as these, will be the days of the Son of man, as at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, so at the last day; (see <421726>Luke 17:26-30)…”

“they--the men of the world. Th1 5:5-6; Th1 4:13, "others," all the rest of the world save Christians. Peace-- (Jdg 18:7, Jdg 18:9, Jdg 18:27-28; Jer 6:14; Eze 13:10). then--at the very moment when they least expect it. Compare the case of Belshazzar, Dan 5:1-6, Dan 5:9, Dan 5:26-28; Herod, Act 12:21-23. sudden--"unawares" (Luk 21:34). as travail--"As the labor pang" comes in an instant on the woman when otherwise engaged (Psa 48:6; Isa 13:8). shall not escape--Greek, "shall not at all escape." Another awful feature of their ruin: there shall be then no possibility of shunning it however they desire it (Amo 9:2-3; Rev 6:15-16).”

“For when they shall say, Peace and safety - That is, when the wicked shall say this, for the apostle here refers only to those on whom “sudden destruction” will come; compare Matthew 24:36-42 notes; 2 Peter 3:3-4 notes. It is clear from this: (1) That when the Lord Jesus shall come the world will not all be converted. There will be some to be “destroyed.” How large this proportion will be, it is impossible now to ascertain. This supposition, however, is not inconsistent with the belief that there will be a general prevalence of the gospel before that period. (2) The impenitent and wicked world will be sunk in carnal security when he comes. They will regard themselves as safe. They will see…”

“When they - The men of the world say. 1 Thessalonians 5:4”

“5:3 “Everything is peaceful and secure”: The expression “peace and safety” was common during the era of the pax Romana (Roman peace). Amid such presumed security, God’s ultimate judgment comes without warning and is inescapable.”

“Peace: Deu 29:19; Jdg 18:27, Jdg 18:28; Psa 10:11-13; Isa 21:4, Isa 56:12; Dan 5:3-6; Nah 1:10; Mat 24:37-39; Luk 17:26-30, Luk 21:34, Luk 21:35 then: Exo 15:9, Exo 15:10; Jos 8:20-22; Jdg 20:41, Jdg 20:42; Ch2 32:19-21; Psa 73:18-20; Pro 29:1; Isa 30:13; Luk 17:27-29, Luk 21:34, Luk 21:35; Act 12:22, Act 12:23, Act 13:41; Th2 1:9; Pe2 2:4; Rev 18:7, Rev 18:8 as: Psa 48:6; Isa 43:6-9, Isa 21:3; Jer 4:31, Jer 6:24, Jer 13:21, Jer 22:23; Hos 13:13; Mic 4:9, Mic 4:10 and they: Mat 23:33; Heb 2:3, Heb 12:23 1 Thessalonians 5:4”