1 Thessalonians 5 by Phil Kinney
History – Paul and Timothy pass through and share the gospel. The Jews get upset at the converts and run them out of town. Paul sends Timothy back to work with the church, and Timothy returns with a bunch of questions for Paul. The church in Thessalonica is young and wants to grow in its spiritual walk, so seeks guidance from Paul. The letter to the Thessalonians is Paul’s response by the Holy Spirit to the church in Thessalonica.
1 Thessalonians 5 (Amplified Bible)
1BUT AS to the suitable times and the precise seasons and dates, brethren, you have no necessity for anything being written to you.
2For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord will come [as unexpectedly and suddenly] as a thief in the night.
3When people are saying, All is well and secure, and, There is peace and safety, then in a moment unforeseen destruction (ruin and death) will come upon them as suddenly as labour pains come upon a woman with child; and they shall by no means escape, for there will be no escape.
4But you are not in [given up to the power of] darkness, brethren, for that day to overtake you by surprise like a thief.
5For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we do not belong either to the night or to darkness.
6Accordingly then, let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious, and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected, and circumspect).
7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night.
8But we belong to the day; therefore, let us be sober and put on the breastplate (corslet) of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
We are reminded that the Lord may return at any time – we don’t know when. So Paul encourages the church to keep on walking with God according to His ways. He encourages them to grow in their walk putting aside their old life of drunkenness and to put on love, faith, hope and salvation. To be calm, collected and exhibiting self control - that we belong to God and therefore the light not the darkness.
9For God has not appointed us to [incur His] wrath [He did not select us to condemn us], but [that we might] obtain [His] salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)
10Who died for us so that whether we are still alive or are dead [at Christ's appearing], we might live together with Him and share His life.
11Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.
Paul encourages the people of the church to remember their salvation – to remember that God does not condemn them if they have accepted his forgiveness through salvation. That Christ died for us that we might live, and to encourage each other in this positive message rather than rebuking each other for failings.
12Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]--your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you.
13And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
14And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, [and] be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper].
Interesting one to comment on when you are one of the leaders in the church, but Paul says to recognise, acknowledge and respect those in leadership within the church. Accept their reproof and exhortation. It even says to affectionately esteem them. Our culture in Australia is to often cut down and criticise those in leadership. Yet Paul says we are not to be of the world but to stand out as different to the world. And a part of that is to encourage and submit to leadership. This is usually a challenge to us, but we all need to have a heart of submission to each other. This is not dependant on whether anyone else does it, but rather it is up to us to do it before God. What does it mean to submit? To put aside our own rights and to defer to those in authority. Not necessarily easy but essential for Christian growth.
15See that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody.
16Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);
17Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];
18Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].
We are to seek to do good regardless of what is done to us. We are to show kindness to everybody, having happy hearts. This comes as a result of staying in connection or communion with God, having time daily with Him allowing Him to strengthen us. Then we are able to do all that He asks and we are transformed in our thinking and therefore our actions. Then we can pray perseveringly, thanking God no matter what the circumstances.
19Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit;
20Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning].
21But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.
22Abstain from evil [shrink from it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be.
Do not quench the Spirit – allow the Holy Spirit free reign. Encourage the gifts in the church and in your own lives. This is Paul’s encouragement and direction. Some would want less of the HS and gifts as it is uncomfortable, but Paul says we need more of the power of the HS in our lives, because this is how we are transformed. Personal and corporate time with the HS transform, challenges and changes us to be more like the Jesus Paul is describing.
23And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
24Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you].
Paul makes the distinction between the spirit, soul and body, and the need for sanctifying and peace through time with God. God is faithful to fulfil the work He started in us.
25Brethren, pray for us.
26Greet all the brethren with a sacred kiss.
27I solemnly charge you [in the name of] the Lord to have this letter read before all the brethren.
28The grace (the unmerited favor and blessings) of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with you all. Amen, (so be it).
Discussion questions
