1 Thessalonians 5

1 Now about [concerning, regarding] the times [periods, intervals] and seasons [right moments, opportunities], brothers [fellow believers, brethren], we do not need [have no necessity, require nothing] to write [record, communicate] to you [address you directly]. word study 2 For you are fully aware [having exact knowledge, perfectly understanding] that the Day [a 24-hour period, a period of time] of the Lord [God, the supreme authority] will come [arrive, appear] like a thief [a sneaky robber, unexpectedly] in the night [a time of darkness, a period of unawareness]. word study 3 While people are saying [claiming or proclaiming], “Peace [a state of harmony, prosperity, or freedom from war] and security [safety or freedom from danger],” destruction [sudden and severe punishment or ruin] will come upon them suddenly [without warning, unexpectedly], like labor pains [intense suffering or travail] on a pregnant woman [a woman in childbirth], and they will not escape [flee or be delivered from]. word study 4 But you [brethren, fellow believers], brothers, are not in the darkness [spiritual ignorance, absence of light] so that this day [a 24-hour period, a period of judgment] should overtake you [catch you by surprise, seize you] like a thief [one who steals, takes by surprise]. word study 5 For you [all of you, as a collective group] are all sons [children, descendants] of the light [divine illumination, spiritual understanding] and sons [children, heirs] of the day [a period of time, an era]; we do not belong [are not part of, do not associate with] to the night [a time of darkness, ignorance] or to the darkness [spiritual blindness, evil]. word study 6 So then [therefore, as a consequence], let us not sleep [be spiritually unaware, lethargic] as the others [unbelievers, the rest] do, but let us remain [be vigilant, watchful] awake [alert, attentive] and sober [self-controlled, morally alert, discreet]. word study 7 For those who sleep [in a state of spiritual unawareness], sleep at night [in the darkness]; and those who get drunk [intoxicated, lacking self-control], get drunk at night [in a state of reckless abandon]. word study 8 But since we [as believers, belonging to the day] belong to the day, let us be [morally alert, discreet, and self-controlled] sober, putting on [strapping on, clothing ourselves with] the breastplate [a piece of armor covering the chest] of faith [trust and confidence in God] and love [unconditional affection], and the helmet [a symbol of protection for the head] of our hope [expectation, trust] of salvation [rescue, spiritual safety]. word study 9 For God [the supreme Creator, Elohim] has not appointed us [chosen, selected] to suffer [experience, endure] wrath [divine anger], but to obtain [acquire, gain] salvation [rescue, spiritual safety] through [by means of, because of] our Lord [Master] Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] Christ [the Anointed, Messiah]. word study 10 He died [was put to death, gave His life] for us so that, whether we are [physically or spiritually] awake [watching, alert] or asleep [resting, unconscious], we may live [have life, be alive] together [in close association, unity] with Him. word study 11 Therefore [for this reason, as a consequence] encourage [comfort, exhort] and build [edify, strengthen] one another [each other, mutually] up, just as [in the same way, as you have been doing] you are already doing [practicing, continuing to do]. word study 12 But we ask [beseech, earnestly request] you, brothers [fellow believers, brethren], to acknowledge [recognize, respect] those who work diligently [labor, toil] among you, who preside [lead, are over] over you in the Lord [as spiritual leaders, in Christ] and give you instruction [admonish, teach, guide]. word study 13 In [unconditional, divine] love [agape, affection], hold them [esteem them very highly] in highest regard [with great respect and honor] because of their [hard] work [labor, toil, occupation]. Live [be at peace, dwell harmoniously] in peace [harmony, tranquility] with one another [among yourselves, with each other]. word study 14 And we urge [exhort, plead with] you, brothers [fellow believers, brethren], to admonish [warn, gently reprove] the unruly [disorderly, insubordinate], encourage [comfort, console] the fainthearted [feeble-minded, lacking courage], help [support, bear with] the weak [feeble, lacking strength], and be patient [longsuffering, forbearing] with everyone [all men, towards all]. word study 15 Make sure [see to it, take care] that no one repays [pays back, gives in return] evil [harm, wrongdoing] for evil [harm, injury]. Always [at all times, continually] pursue [follow after, chase] what is good [beneficial, righteous] for one another [each other, fellow believers] and for all [every, everyone] people [humans, mankind]. word study 16 Rejoice [always, evermore] at all times [in every circumstance, continually, from the heart]. word study 17 Pray [continually, without stopping] without ceasing [never stop, at all times]. word study 18 Give thanks [be thankful, express gratitude] in every [all, each] circumstance [situation, event], for [because, since] this [the fact, the reality] is God’s [the Lord’s, divine] will [desire, intention] for you [toward you, concerning you] in [through, by means of] Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] Jesus [God’s salvation, the Savior]. word study 19 Do not [refuse, quench] extinguish [put out, stop] the Spirit [the vital principle, God’s presence] [the breath of God, divine influence]. word study 20 Do not [despise, reject] treat prophecies [prophesyings, messages from God] with contempt [looking down on, treating as worthless], word study 21 but test [prove, evaluate, examine] all things [everything, every message]. Hold fast [keep, possess, retain] to what is [that which is truly] good [beautiful, virtuous, morally excellent]. word study 22 Abstain [keep away, refrain] from every [all, each] form [appearance, external look] of evil [bad, morally wrong] [including all kinds of wickedness, unrighteousness]. word study 23 Now may the God [of all comfort and peace] of peace Himself sanctify [make holy, set apart] you completely [wholly, in every way], and may your entire [whole, complete] spirit [the vital principle, breath of life], soul [the seat of emotions, mind, and will], and body [the physical person, flesh] be kept [preserved, protected] blameless [without fault, guiltless] at the coming [arrival, presence] of our Lord [Master, Savior] Jesus Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah]. word study 24 The One [faithful, trustworthy, and unchanging] who calls [invites, summons] you is faithful [steadfast, reliable, and dependable], and He will do [accomplish, fulfill, and bring to completion] it. word study 25 Brothers [fellow believers, brethren], pray [to worship, petition] for us [on our behalf, for our sake] as well [too, also]. word study 26 Greet [salute, pay respects to] all [every, the entire community of] the brothers [brethren, fellow believers] with a holy [set apart, sacred] kiss [a symbol of love and respect, affectionately]. word study 27 I [solemnly, urgently] charge you [adjure, make an oath] before the Lord [God, Master] to have this [written message, epistle] letter read [known, understood] to all [every, the entire group of] the brothers [believers, fellow Christians, holy brethren]. word study 28 The [divine, unmerited] grace [favor, kindness] of our Lord [Master, Savior] Jesus [God is salvation] Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] be with [accompany, remain beside] you [as a group, collectively]. word study