1 Thessalonians
Chapter 5
Overview
The letter closes by addressing a community waiting for Jesus to return. No calendar can tell them when that day will come, so the writers turn attention from guessing dates to living alertly. Images of daylight, sleep, armor, and sudden labor pains make the warning vivid. Then the focus moves to everyday community life: respect leaders, help struggling people, refuse revenge, pray, give thanks, and carefully evaluate messages said to come from God. The chapter ends with a prayer that God will make them completely his own and preserve them until Jesus comes.
1Brothers and sisters, you do not need us to write to you about the dates and times when this will happen.
2You yourselves know very well that the day when the Lord comes will arrive like a thief in the night.
3While people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and safe,” destruction will suddenly come upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman. They will certainly not escape.
4But you, brothers and sisters, are not living in darkness, so that day should not take you by surprise like a thief.
5You are all people who belong to the light and the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.
6So we must not sleep as others do. We must stay awake and keep clearheaded.
7After all, people sleep at night, and people get drunk at night.
8But since we belong to the day, let us keep clearheaded. Let faith and love protect us like a soldier’s chest armor, and let our hope of being rescued by God protect us like a helmet.
9God did not choose us to suffer his anger. He chose us to receive rescue through our Lord Jesus the Messiah,
10who died for us so that, whether we are alive or sleeping in death, we may live together with him.
11Therefore, encourage one another and help each other grow stronger, just as you are already doing.
12Brothers and sisters, we ask you to appreciate those who work hard among you, lead you as followers of the Lord, and warn you when necessary.
13Because of their work, treat them with the highest respect and love. Live peacefully with one another.
14We also urge you, brothers and sisters: warn those who refuse to live responsibly, encourage those who have lost heart, support the weak, and be patient with everyone.
15Make sure that no one pays back evil for evil. Instead, always pursue what is good for one another and for everyone else.
16Always be joyful.
17Never stop praying.
18Give thanks in every circumstance. This is what God wants for you as people united with Jesus the Messiah.
19Do not put out the fire of God’s Spirit.
20Do not treat messages said to come from God with contempt.
21But examine everything carefully. Hold on to what is good.
22Keep away from every form of evil.
23May the God who gives peace make you completely his own. May your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—be kept free from blame when our Lord Jesus the Messiah comes.
24The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
25Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
26Greet all the brothers and sisters with a kiss expressing your shared devotion to God.
27I solemnly charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
28May the gracious kindness of our Lord Jesus the Messiah be with you.