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1 Thessalonians 5

World English Bible

WEB

1But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you. 2For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. 3For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman. Then they will in no way escape. 4But you, brothers, aren’t in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief. 5You are all children of light and children of the day. We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness, 6so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep in the night; and those who are drunk are drunk in the night. 8But since we belong to the day, let’s be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9For God didn’t appoint us to wrath, but to 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. 11Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do. 12But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13and to respect and honor them in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14We exhort you, brothers: Admonish the disorderly; encourage the faint-hearted; support the weak; be patient toward all. 15See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good for one another and for all. 16Always rejoice. 17Pray without ceasing. 18In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. 19Don’t quench the Spirit. 20Don’t despise prophecies. 21Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil. 23May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it. 25Brothers, pray for us. 26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers. 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

1 Thessalonians Chapter 5 serves as a powerful conclusion to Paul's letter to the Thessalonian church, emphasizing the importance of living in readiness for the return of the Lord. The chapter begins with a reminder that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. Paul encourages believers to remain vigilant and sober, contrasting the darkness of the world with the light of Christ. He calls the church to be children of the light, urging them to put on the armor of faith and love, and the hope of salvation, as they prepare for Christ's return (#DayOfTheLord, #Vigilance, #Faith).

In the latter part of the chapter, Paul provides practical exhortations for community living. He instructs the Thessalonians to encourage one another, build each other up, and to respect those who labor among them. Paul emphasizes the importance of joy, prayer, and gratitude in the life of a believer, stating that these are the will of God in Christ Jesus. He also warns against quenching the Spirit and encourages the church to test all things, holding fast to what is good. The chapter concludes with a prayer for sanctification and a reminder of God's faithfulness, assuring the believers that He will equip them for the calling He has placed on their lives (#Community, #Encouragement, #Sanctification).

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Referenced by

  1. Deuteronomy 8:10v18Deuteronomy 8:10 instructs the Israelites to bless the Lord after eating and being satisfied. Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 encourages believers to give thanks in all circumstances, emphasizing gratitude as a continual practice.
  2. Psalms 9:1v18Psalm 9:1 emphasizes giving thanks to the Lord with a whole heart, which aligns with 1 Thessalonians 5:18's exhortation to give thanks in all circumstances.
  3. Psalms 30:12v16Psalm 30:12 emphasizes giving thanks to God forever, aligning with 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which instructs believers to rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances.
  4. Psalms 92:1v18Psalm 92:1 emphasizes giving thanks to the Lord, a theme echoed in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which instructs believers to give thanks in all circumstances.
  5. Isaiah 47:11v3Isaiah 47:11 warns of sudden disaster coming upon Babylon, akin to 1 Thessalonians 5:3 where sudden destruction comes upon those who claim peace and safety.
  6. Matthew 24:42v6Matthew 24:42 calls for watchfulness in light of the unknown timing of the Lord's return, a call echoed in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 where believers are urged to stay awake and sober.
  7. Matthew 25:1-13v2Matthew 25:1-13, the Parable of the Ten Virgins, emphasizes the need for readiness for the coming of the bridegroom, which parallels 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 where Paul warns believers to be watchful and sober, as the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
  8. Luke 18:1v17Luke 18:1 emphasizes the importance of persistent prayer, which is echoed in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 where believers are encouraged to 'pray without ceasing.'
  9. Luke 21:36v6Luke 21:36 encourages watchfulness and prayer to stand before the Son of Man, which parallels Paul's exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 to be alert and sober, highlighting the need for spiritual vigilance.
  10. Romans 13:11v6Romans 13:11 urges believers to wake from sleep because salvation is near, similar to 1 Thessalonians 5:6, which encourages vigilance and sobriety as the day of the Lord approaches.
  11. Ephesians 4:30v19Ephesians 4:30 warns against grieving the Holy Spirit, which is similar to 1 Thessalonians 5:19, where believers are cautioned not to quench the Spirit.
  12. Ephesians 6:18v17Ephesians 6:18 emphasizes praying in the Spirit on all occasions, which is echoed in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 where believers are instructed to pray without ceasing.
  13. Philippians 4:4v16Philippians 4:4 exhorts believers to rejoice in the Lord always, a theme echoed in 1 Thessalonians 5:16, which also calls for continual rejoicing.
  14. Colossians 4:2v17Colossians 4:2 encourages believers to continue steadfastly in prayer, which aligns with 1 Thessalonians 5:17's exhortation to pray without ceasing, emphasizing the importance of persistent prayer in the Christian life.
  15. Hebrews 3:13v11Hebrews 3:13 encourages believers to exhort one another daily to prevent being hardened by sin. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 also encourages believers to comfort and edify one another, highlighting the importance of mutual encouragement in the faith community.
  16. Hebrews 10:23v24Hebrews 10:23 encourages holding fast to the confession of hope because God is faithful, which is echoed in 1 Thessalonians 5:24 where it is affirmed that He who calls is faithful.
  17. James 5:7-8v2James 5:7-8 encourages believers to be patient for the coming of the Lord, paralleling 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6, which speaks of the Day of the Lord coming unexpectedly and the need for vigilance.
  18. 2 Peter 3:10v2Both passages describe the day of the Lord coming like a thief, emphasizing the suddenness and unexpectedness of Christ's return.

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