Labor pangs (5604)(odin from odune = sorrow, torment, grief, pain, distress of body or mind) is found in the secular Greek writings from Homer (Iliad 11,271) down and primarily refers to the the pain of childbirth and so is rendered labor pain or birth-pang. In secular Greek usage, metaphorically, odin referred to any travail or anguish. Jesus ujsed the picture of the intense agonizing pains of childbirth as a metaphorical description of the intense anguish men will experience because of the dramatic calamities which will precede His Second Coming. (Mt 24:8, Mk 13:8) Luke uses odin to describe the agonies that Jesus experienced associated with His death (Acts 2:24). In the present passage, Paul uses odin to describe the Day of the Lord (1Th 5:2), emphasizing that even as labor pains often have a sudden onset, the destruction associated with the Day of the Lord will unexpectedly overtake those who live in self-security. Odin - 4x in 4v in the NT - Translated agony(1), birth pangs(2), labor pains(1). Matthew 24:8 "But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Mark 13:8 "For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Acts 2:24 "But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. 1Thessalonians 5:3 While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. Odin - 28v in the Septuagint - Ex 15:14; Dt 2:25; 1Sa 4:19; 2Sa 22:6; 2Ki 19:3; Job 2:9; 21:17; 39:1, 2; Ps 18:4, 5; 48:6; 116:3; Isa 13:8; 21:3; 26:17; 37:3; 66:7; Jer 6:24; 8:21; 13:21; 22:23; 50:43; Ezek 7:7; Hos 9:11; 13:13; Mic 4:9; Nah 2:10 Exodus 15:14 The peoples have heard, they tremble; Anguish (Lxx = odin) has gripped the inhabitants of Philistia. Deuteronomy 2:25 'This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the peoples everywhere under the heavens, who, when they hear the report of you, will tremble and be in anguish (Lxx = odin) because of you.' Psalm 48:6 Panic seized them there, anguish (Lxx = odin), as of a woman in childbirth. Isaiah 13:8 (When? Day of the Lord - Isa 13:6) They will be terrified, Pains and anguish (Lxx = odin) will take hold of them; They will writhe like a woman in labor, They will look at one another in astonishment, Their faces aflame. Birth (1064)(gaster) means the belly. Particularly the stomach. The womb (Lk 1:31; Ge 25:23; Ps 58:3). To be pregnant with child is expressed as (en gastrà échein) in the womb to have. Keathley writes that the phrase “Like labor pangs on a pregnant woman” obviously makes the coming of the Day of Lord analogous to labor which pictures four aspects... 1. The world is “pregnant,” ripe for what will happen because of its rejection of the Lord. God’s wrath, which has been building up throughout history, will suddenly break forth. The signs of its coming are discernible, even though the moment of its arrival is unpredictable. 2. This stresses the element of surprise: it will come suddenly, like the birth pains of a woman when the child is ready to be born. 3. The world can no more escape the coming wrath of God when it breaks out in the Day of the Lord, than a pregnant woman can escape labor pains. A strong expression is used in the Greek (a double negative, ou me) to stress that fleeing or seeking escape will be futile. 4. Like birth pains, it will be short-lived, but will steadily grow in intensity. (Reference) AND THEY SHALL NOT ESCAPE: kai ou me ekphugosin. (3PAAS): (Matthew 23:33; Hebrews 2:3; 12:23) There shall be no escape for them—none! (Way) But they shall not escape, no, not at all. (Williams) Neither can it be interpreted to mean the day of each man's death. The writer of Hebrews alludes to this idea of no escape asking... how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard (See note Hebrews 2:3) Paul addresses the unbelieving religious person asking them a question to prompt their conscience and will to move toward justification by faith... And do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment upon those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? (See note Romans 2:3) Shall not escape - The English translation misses the sense of the Greek passage which is actually a strong double negative (ou me) which removes any hope one might have about their ability to escape this dreadful time. There is absolutely no escape. Perhaps you are reading these notes as a curious agnostic or even a professor but not possessor of faith in Christ and you have never truly repented of your sins and thrown yourself wholly upon the Lord Jesus Christ accepting His perfect, eternally satisfactory, substitutionary sacrifice. If not, let the picture of no escape draw you to the throne of grace to receive by faith His free gift of salvation, which alone can give you genuine peace and safety. Paul used another strong double negative in the previous chapter writing... For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not (ou me) precede those who have fallen asleep. (see note 1 Thessalonians 4:15)