The Bible — World English Bible
1 Thessalonians 5
In brief
Paul ends his letter to the Thessalonians speaking of the day of the Lord, which will come like a thief in the night. Believers, children of light, are called to stay alert, to remain sober, and to clothe themselves with faith, love, and hope for salvation. Follow practical exhortations on Church life: encourage one another, pray without ceasing, give thanks, examine all things. The letter closes with a prayer: God is faithful to sanctify your whole being.
The chapter in 4 parts
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.
Key verses
For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.
The day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night: without warning. Paul does not give a date. He invites you to stay ready rather than to calculate.
But 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.
The believer is compared to a soldier who equips himself: breastplate of faith and love, helmet of salvation's hope. This hope is confidence in God, not vague hope.
Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.
After teaching on Christ's return, Paul concludes with a practical call: exhort and edify one another. Hope is lived in community.
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
Give thanks in all circumstances is a life instruction. It does not say everything is good, but invites you to recognize God even when all goes badly.
He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.
The one who calls is faithful and it is he who will do it. Paul ends on God's faithfulness, not on the believer's effort.
Bible verses to meditate on
Pray about this
What the sermons say
Frequently asked questions about 1 Thessalonians 5
What does 'the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night' mean?
Paul means that Christ's return will be unexpected for those who do not await it. Believers, though, are children of light: they are not taken by surprise. The goal is not to frighten but to call to alertness and to live with sobriety.
What does 'give thanks in all circumstances' mean (1 Thessalonians 5:18)?
Paul does not say to thank God for evil, but to give thanks in all circumstances, for God remains faithful. It is a choice of trust and recognition, even in trial, which does not deny pain.
What does it mean to examine all things and hold fast what is good?
In verses 19 to 22, Paul invites you not to quench the Spirit nor despise prophecies, but to test all things by the Word. You keep what is good and turn from what is evil. It is a call to discernment.
Articles quoting 1 Thessalonians 5
- 20 Bible Verses About Contentment
- 20 Bible Verses for Graduation in Japan: Giving Thanks and Entrusting Your Next Step to God
- 1 Thessalonians 1: The Gospel in the Midst of Trials
- Luke 18: Praying Without Giving Up in a Distracted World
- Isaiah 5: Lord, What Do You Expect From Me?
- 1 Timothy 4: Let Your Progress Be Evident to All
World English Bible translation — public domain.