1 Thessalonians 5

1 Thessalonians 5:1-5

The epistle having spoken in the end of the foregoing chapter concerning the resurrection, and the second coming of Christ, he proceeds to speak concerning the unselfishness of requiring after the particular time of Christ’s coming, which would be sudden and terrible to the wicked, but comfortable to the saints, ver. 1—5. He then submits them to the duties of watchfulness, slavery, and the exercise of faith, hope, and love, ver. 6—10. In the next words he submits them to several duties they stand to others, or to one another, ver. 11—15. And afterwards to several other Christians duties of great importance, ver. 16—22. And then concludes this epistle, ver. 23—28.

1. BUT of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Having mentioned the second advent of the Lord Jesus, he bids them prepare for it.

1. Respecting the precise time of his coming, it is left in an awful uncertainty, that we might be always ready. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you: for yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night, so suddenly and unexpectedly. Note, It is a needless curiosity to define precisely to know the hour of Christ’s coming; but a most needful piece of wisdom to be always ready for his appearing.

2. His coming will be the terror and surprise of an ungodly world. For when they, who are secure in their fear, shall say, Peace and safety, promising themselves long years of sinful pleasures and indulgences, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. Note, When the day of the Lord comes, it will spread a terrible alarm through a world that lieth in wickedness, and then the ungodly and the sinner will in vain cry to rocks and mountains to cover their guilty heads.

3. This will be a day of light and triumph to the people of God. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, sleeping in sinful and sinfulal security, but brought into the marvellous light of the gospel; and therefore need not fear that that day should overtake you as a thief, and find you unprepared. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day, walking under the bright beams of the Sun of righteousness towards the kingdom of eternal glory: we are not of the night, nor of darkness, in heathen ignorance, and under the blindness of the natural mind; but tread the shining path of truth, looking for and haltering unto the coming of the Son of man. Note, It is an unspokable blessing to be delivered from the darkness of the fallen heart, and, walking in the light of life, to have ever in our view the bright crown of righteousness which faded not away. Then we can say, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.

4. Therefore let us not sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken, are drunken in the night. 8. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breast-plate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath; but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. 10. Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-12

On the foregoing considerations the epistle grounds his exhortations to the practice of several necessary duties.

1. Therefore let us not sleep as do others, in carelessness about these eternal concerns, toiling away the precious moment of opportunity; but let us watch and pray, awake to the great afores of our immortal souls, and ever filtering when the sound, Behold be cometh, Go ye out to meet him, shall reach our ears. Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching. And,

2. Be sober, temperate in the use of all God’s creatures, neither overcharged with furturing or drunkenness, nor with the cares or pleasures of this life. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken, are drunken in the night, and seek the darkness to hide their guilty heads, supplying their confidences till the dreadful hour shall startle them into sensibility. But let us who are of the day, and walk in the light of truth, be sober (suppose) and vigilant, not intoxicated with any earthly purloin or enjoyment, but seeking in the first place the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

3. We must be armed, as well as on our guard; putting on the breast-plate of faith and love, and for an helmet the hope of salvation; there being the cardinal graces, by which the soul, like a warrior completely clad in armour, is able to resist every attack of the enemy, unhurt amidst all the fiery darts which sin and Satan can hurt against us. Note, (1.) We have mighty foes to grapple with, and need be well armed against them. (2.) Where faith is grounded on Christ, love in lively exercise, and hope with peering eye looking up to eternal things, then none of our enemies can hurt us, nor will any of the inares of this world be able to prevail to draw our affections off from God and the things which are above.

4. He encourages them, from past experience, with confidence still to trust on the Lord. For God hath not appointed us to wrath; but, as is evident from his grace which we have already received, hath predestinated us to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, and thereby secured our eternal redemption; that, whether we wake or sleep, are numbered among the living or among the dead, as the day of his appearing, we should then live together with him in glory everlasting. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, or sober; and edify one another, even as also ye do; nothing affording such animating ground of hope, and serving to quicken the soul in all holy walking before God, as these blessed prospects and expeditions. Note, (1.) Our salvation in Jesus Christ is firmly secured; and the more we are enabled to exercise confidence in him, the more thanks shall we bear up under all opposition. (2.) Christians should delight in exhorting, comforting, and edifying one another; and nothing can afford them more abundant matter than the expected coming of their Lord.

5. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you. 13. And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

The apolite passes on to other needful exhortations.

1. He enjoins them to respect and honour their ministers. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, perishing in your worshipping assemblies, and admonish and instruct you in the good ways of the Lord, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Note, (1.) The duty of ministers is to labour with zeal and diligence for the good of their people’s souls, to be over them, watching for their good as the Shepherd tends his flock, with a constant eye to the great Shepherd who hath committed this trust to them; and to admonish them publickly and privately, without partiality, instructing them in all God’s holy will. (2.) The duty of people to their ministers is to love them, to esteem them highly for their work’s sake, to know and acknowledge them, with thankfulness for their labours, and serious attention to their advice.

2. He exhorts them to the discharge of those duties, which, as Christians, they owed each other.

(1.) Be at peace among yourselves, cultivating that mutual harmony and love with each other, and your ministers, which, as a church, will most especially tend to your establishment.

(2.) Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are worthy, reprove them for their disorderly walk, and threaten them with the church’s censures if they amend not their ways; comfort the feeble-minded, whose hearts are ready to sink under their trials, and are dejected with temptation or affliction, encourage them to bear up, and suggest every reviving motive to cheer their drooping spirits; support the word, whose attainments are low in grace and knowledge, and are therefore more easily offended; we should therefore bear with their infirmities, and endeavour to strengthen their faith; be patient toward all men, put up with every affront or provocation, forbearing and forgiving one another in love, and still waiting and hoping for their amendment.

3. See that now render evil for evil unto any man, in look, in word, or deed, but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men; do good to their bodies and souls, and be ready to every work and labour of love.

4. Rejoice evermore. 17. Pray without ceasing. 18. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19. Quench not the Spirit. 20. Despite not prophesyings. 21. Prove all things: hold fast that which is good. 22. Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

We have here divers short and weighty exhortations.

1. Rejoice evermore in God as your Portion, in Christ as your Redeemer, in the Spirit as your Censorter; in one another, in all holy ordinances, and under every tribulation.

2. Pray without ceasing; be daily and often employed in this blessed work, in private in your families, or among the faithful. Note, To live without prayer, is the late proof of an unregenerate heart.

3. In every thing give thanks, under every dispensation of Providence, not only for mercies received, but also under every affliction, maintaining still a cheerful spirit: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you, and the constant, grateful returns we owe for the rich redemption which we have obtained in his dear Son.

4. Quench not the Spirit, by indulging any evil temper in your heart, or allowed sin in your conduct; resisting his gracious motions, or neglecting those means of grace wherein his divine influences are communicated to you.

5. Despite not prophesyings, or prophesies, which still contain much useful matter, and should be constantly read and regarded; and attend upon the ministrations of the word.

6. Prove all things, and try, by the gospel test, every doctrine which is advanced, that you may not be a prey to deceivers:

hold fast that which is good, unmoved by seducers among yourselves, or the persecutions of your enemies from without.

7. Abstain from all appearance of evil, dreading sin in its most distant approaches, and avoiding whatever may have a tendency to lead you into evil, under however innocent a guise it may present itself unto you.

8. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 25. Brethren, pray for us, 26. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. 27. I charge you by the Lord, that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. 28. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-28

The epistle concludes,

1. With his prayers for them. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; may he, who is the author and giver of peace to your consciences, and who unites you together in this happy bond, may he cleanse you from all iniquity, and perfect you in holiness: and I pray God that your whole spirit, and soul and body, in every member and every faculty, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Note, (1.) Prayer is the great means of sanctification. (2.) He who hath called us to his kingdom and glory, must preserve and keep us for himself, for of ourselves we have no strength.

2. He expresses his confidence in God’s promises and protection. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it; he never hath, never can fail those that trust him, and from his faithfulness we derive our fidelity.

3. He entreats an interest in their prayers. Brethren, pray for us. The greatest ministers need the prayers of all their people, and the more they are mindful of them at a throne of grace, the more good will they receive from their ministrations.

4. He adds his salutation. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. Let every member of the church be assured of my most cordial and affectionate regards.

5. He adjures them solemnly to read this epistle to the whole church. I charge you by the Lord, in his name, that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. Note, (1.) All Christians are bound to read the Scriptures diligently; nor can there be a stronger mark of antichrist, than the keeping these sacred records sealed up in an unknown tongue. (2.) That public worship is very defective, where the Scriptures are not read in the congregation.

6. He closes with his usual benediction. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. May the sovereign, boundless, and everlasting favour of the adored Jesus, be your portion now and for ever. Amen!

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