1 Thess 5:
- v.1-11 Be ready for when Jesus returns
- v.12-28 Final miscellaneous instructions
[Chapter Synopsis: The focus is on being ready when Jesus returns, plus miscellaneous instructions about right attitudes towards leaders, living in peace and harmony, encouraging and building one another up.]
v.1-11 Be ready for when Jesus returns
[Passage Synopsis: Don’t be caught out when Jesus returns but live out your Christian life, full of faith, love and hope.]
v.1,2 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
v.3 While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety’, destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
v.4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
v.5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
v.6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.
v.7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
v.8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
v.9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
v.10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
v.11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
[Note: Jesus will return without warning and those who make excuses will be destroyed, but you shouldn’t be caught by surprise. You belong in the light, so let’s be awake and alert. The unrighteous are so in darkness but we are different; we’re appointed to receive salvation with Jesus dying to save us, so keep on encouraging one another.]
v.12-28 Final instructions
[Passage Synopsis: Bless and be at peace with your leaders, live in harmony with one another, be open to the Spirit and be ready when Jesus returns.]
v.12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.
v.13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
v.14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
v.15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
v.16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
v.19 Do not quench the Spirit.
v.20,21 Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.
v.23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
v.24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
v.25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
v.26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.
v.27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
v.28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
[Note: A spectrum of instructions. Bless your leaders, esteem them and live at peace with them. Warn, encourage, help and be patient with one another. Forgive and be at peace seeking the good of one another. Rejoice, pray and give thanks and don’t put out the fire of the Spirit. Test and receive right prophecies, holding what is good, rejecting what is bad. May God purify you so you will be blameless at Jesus’ coming for He is faithful and will keep you. Pray for us. Greet each other in love. Read this to all the church and may you know Christ’s grace.]
For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: