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Scott's Reference Library
1 Thessalonians 5:1 through 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
1Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for
you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them
suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you
like a thief. 5You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not
belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, let us not be like others, who
are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7For those who sleep, sleep
at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8But since we belong to
the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,
and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9For God did not appoint us to suffer
wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us
so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you
are doing.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 1-5
It is needless or useless to ask about the particular time of Christ’s coming.
Christ did not reveal this to the apostles. There are times and seasons for us
to work in, and these are our duty and interest to know and observe; but as to
the time when we must give up our account, we know it not, nor is it needful
that we should. The coming of Christ will be a great surprise to men. Our Lord
himself said so. As the hour of death is the same to each person that the
judgment will be to mankind in general, so the same remarks answer for both.
Christ’s coming will be terrible to the ungodly. Their destruction will overtake
them while they dream of happiness, and please themselves with vain amusements.
There will be no means to escape the terror or the punishment of that day. This
day will be a happy day to the righteous. They are not in darkness; they are the
children of the light. It is the happy condition of all true Christians. But how
many are speaking peace and safety to themselves, over whose heads utter
destruction is hovering! Let us endeavour to awaken ourselves and each other,
and guard against our spiritual enemies.
VERSES 6-11
Most of mankind do not consider the things of another world at all, because they
are asleep; or they do not consider them aright, because they sleep and dream.
Our moderation as to all earthly things should be known to all men. Shall
Christians, who have the light of the blessed gospel shining in their faces, be
careless about their souls, and unmindful of another world? We need the
spiritual armour, or the three Christian graces, faith, love, and hope. Faith;
if we believe that the eye of God is always upon us, that there is another world
to prepare for, we shall see reason to watch and be sober. True and fervent love
to God, and the things of God, will keep us watchful and sober. If we have hope
of salvation, let us take heed of any thing that would shake our trust in the
Lord. We have ground on which to build unshaken hope, when we consider, that
salvation is by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, to atone for our sins
and to ransom our souls. We should join in prayer and praise one with another.
We should set a good example one before another, and this is the best means to
answer the end of society. Thus we shall learn how to live to Him, with whom we
hope to live for ever.
See also 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; 5:12-18