An open house door on a dark, sleeping street, a small clay lamp burning on the threshold and a cloak and sandals set ready beside it.

The Book of

1 Thessalonians 5

No one knows the hour. So Paul shows a young church how to live ready: awake, sober, thankful, and together.

28 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1Thank GodFaith, love and hope at work
2:1–16Among youGentle as a mother, firm as a father
2:17–3:13Torn awayTimothy brings good news
4:1–12Please GodHoly, loving, quiet lives
4:13–5:28Until He comesHope, readiness, life togetherChapter 5

The Day of the Lord

Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you. For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

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Night and day

Whiteboard

Paul draws two ways to live. The world sleeps through the night, but believers belong to the day, so they stay awake and clear-headed. And they dress for it, in “the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.” It is the same three Paul thanked God for at the very start of the letter: faith, love and hope.

But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.

The first sun rising over a calm gulf, the water still and the far mountains catching the light.

For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.

0:17

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Question

Quick question

Paul tells the Thessalonians that they belong to the day, and that believers can dress for it.

What does Paul tell believers to put on as a helmet?

Christian Living

But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.

Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Paul

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Do not extinguish the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt, but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

Reflect

God’s will for today

People often ask what God’s will is for their lives. Here Paul answers part of it plainly: “Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Write down three things from today you can thank God for, including one that was hard.

Final Blessings and Instructions

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24

From PaulTo the church of the Thessalonians

Brothers, pray for us as well.

Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

1 Thessalonians 5:25–28

A lamplit room full of people seen from behind, listening as one man at the front reads from a partly unrolled scroll.

Pray

He will do it

Paul ends with a prayer and a promise: “The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” Ask the God of peace to make you holy through and through and keep you ready for Jesus’ coming. Then do what Paul asked: “pray for us as well.” Pray by name for those who teach and care for your church.

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1 Thessalonians 5

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A verse to carry with you

Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

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