Verses 1-3 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
The Thessalonian church wanted to know when the LORD was going to return. They wanted to know what to look for. What events should they be looking for that would signal His coming? People today are still trying to calculate or guess when the LORD Jesus Christ will return to Earth.
The Scofield doctrine that has infiltrated most mainstream organized evangelical establishment churches today has an extensive series of events that is claimed to have to happen in order for the LORD Jesus Christ to come again. But the Apostle Paul only stated two events in the previous chapters of this epistle that had to happen: a falling away from the Faith, and the revealing of Satan and his tactics. Since the falling away has been happening for some time now and since Satan and his servants have been more visible for some time, the return of Jesus can be anytime. But predicting His return is sin as Jesus said in Matthew 24:36, “but of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” The angels in heaven include Satan and his fallen angel followers as they have access to the first heaven, and this writer personally thinks they also have access to the second heaven. The righteous angels that can access all of the Heavens also do not know when this event will take place. What is known is that His coming can be compared to a thief – no one knows when their house or car is going to be robbed. The thief does not announce himself. Likewise, Jesus will not announce Himself, but will just come when least expected. So when people think or feel that they are safe, if they are not children of the living God, calamity will strike suddenly and it will be too late for them to repent and to convert to being followers of the LORD Jesus Christ.
Verses 4-7 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
The Thessalonian Christian believers were no longer in the darkness of sin, but walking in the light of the LORD so that they would always be ready for that day. But the Apostle Paul admonished them to be and to stay alert.
Application: As time continues and it appears that nothing is changing, it is easy for Christian believers to become complacent with their earthly lives and to lose focus of the spiritual life and the future as promised and predicted in Scripture. This should not be so. Tasks of daily living can crowd out the things of the Spirit and believers, knowing that the LORD will return, really do not think it will happen in their life times. This is a dangerous position to be in, as it can lead to believers not really being ready to face eternity and to stand before the LORD. The race is only won if it is finished and finished well.
Verses 8-11 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
The Greek word translated as “sober” is “nepho” and it means to be sober, to be calm and collected in spirit, to be temperate, and to be circumspect. The Christian believer is to be Christ-like at all times, not easily upset, collected and calm inside having emotions under control, not a risk taker in life or in the Faith, and showing moderation or self-restraint.
A breastplate was designed to protect the vital internal organs of an individual. The Roman soldiers had metal breastplates for protection much as today’s police departments have bullet-proof vests. Heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, stomach and gallbladder could all be protected during battle against injury leading to physical death by the wearing of a breastplate. Likewise, metaphorically the breastplate of faith in the LORD Jesus Christ and His infallible Word is what guards or protects the believer from spiritual death. And it is walking in His love that keeps the believer alert and trusting in His promises. The Christian believer is in a spiritual battle against the powers of darkness, and when under attack it is faith and love in Jesus that repels the enemy.
The helmet also protects the head and brain from injury. Physically, head injuries can result in death and disability, hence protective helmets in the sports arena and in the military. For the Christian believer, metaphorically the helmet of salvation protects against wrong thinking and against sin. Each new believer in Christ is a new creature who, through the help of the Holy Ghost/Spirit, thinks differently and no longer wishes to have sin as a partner in life. Having the hope of eternal life after death keeps the true believer in the Faith.
Verses 12-13 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
Application: There is a hierarchy in the Church that exists in order to keep order. The LORD Jesus Christ is the head, and all Christian believers are the body and are under His authority, and that includes the leadership. But He calls certain people to fill certain functions in the Church. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” Ephesians 4:11-14 These workers in the Church are to be respected for what they do and are to have rule over the body for the purposes as listed above so that the knowledge and faith of each believer will grow and produce fruit and so that there will be protection from “wolves” entering the flock with false doctrines. These leaders are not more important than or more valuable than any other believer as all answer to the LORD, but their function in the body is to be respected. Now if these leaders become false in any way, the people in the church have a duty to reprove them and/or to ask them to leave. But if they remain righteous and true to the Gospel, they are to be loved and supported by those they serve in the Church.
Verse 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Application: There is no such thing as a perfect church, just perfect people serving a perfect God. So it is not unusual to find people within a body of believers who are not content and who are not completely following Jesus. These people will cause trouble through gossip, negative attitudes, and whatever other means Satan can get them to use in order to create a rift in the church. When these people are identified, church discipline needs to be carried out as per Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 18:15-17. A warning is given, a second warning is given if the first is not heeded, the church body is informed in a public manner if the second warning is not heeded, and then if that does not elicit repentance and change, the individual is asked to leave.
The Greek word translated as “feebleminded” is “oligopsuchos” and it does not mean those people who have a low I.Q. or who are developmentally disabled, but it means fainthearted. These are Christian believers who are lacking in courage or who are timid. The Apostle Paul is instructing the Thessalonians to encourage these believers and to be supportive of them. And then he instructs them to be patient, not only with the feebleminded and weak, but with all people. In the King James Bible, the word “men” was added by the translators as indicated by it being italicized. But all means all: men, women, children, leaders, and the feebleminded and weak.
Verse 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
The Christian witness of a believer is ruined if that believer acts like unbelievers in the World. So “paying back” an individual with evil because that individual was evil towards the believer is not Christ-like, displeases the LORD, and puts the Church in a bad light. So the Apostle Paul instructs believers to only follow or do good, not only to fellow believers, but to non-believers as well.
Verse 16 Rejoice evermore.
To rejoice means to be glad. Evermore means at all times or always. How does one rejoice evermore? This writer can attest to the fact that this commandment is very difficult to follow. Life is so often negative and hurtful that it is difficult to be glad. How is it possible to be glad about illness, about disability, about financial problems, about family problems, about employment problems, and so forth? It would be a fake thing or a lie to pretend to be glad when one’s heart is burdened. Yet the commandment is clear. What this writer has experienced is that being glad and thankful about trials and tribulations draws a believer closer to the LORD, increases faith in the LORD, and helps a believer to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. No one is glad about the diagnosis of cancer and it would be a lie to profess such gladness to others. But one can be glad that the LORD has provided medical assistance, has provided a church of righteous people who will support and encourage, and has/will provide a future regardless of the physical outcome because of His death, burial, and resurrection and assurance of eternal life in Heaven. One can be glad of the little things such as birds singing, warm sunshine, and all the blessings of the creation. One can be glad for dirty dishes as there was food on them, be glad for dirty laundry as there were clothes to wear, and be glad for the love of the LORD Jesus Christ. It takes a lot of practice, but the believer can learn to be glad always.
Verses 17-18 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Application: If one views prayer as a ritual in which a certain position is assumed (on one’s knees, head bowed, etc.) and in which a certain set of words are to be spoken, and which is done at a certain time, praying without ceasing is not possible. If one views prayer to the LORD as a conversation throughout the day, then praying without ceasing is doable. People can have conversations with friends or family members via the telephone or computer for hours. So conversation with the LORD, if not done in a formal prescribed manner, can also add up to many hours a day. Think about it. It is the will of God. It is commanded.
Verse 19 Quench not the Spirit.
The Greek word translated as “quench” is “sbennumi” and it means to go out, or metaphorically it means to suppress or stifle. How does one quench the Holy Ghost/Spirit? By not allowing Him to lead and direct one’s path in life. By not listening to His voice. By allowing recurring sin into one’s life. By failing to read Scripture and pray from the heart. By not exercising the gifts of the Spirit. And so forth.
Verse 20 Despise not prophesyings.
The Greek word translated as “despise” is “exoutheneo” and it means to make of no account or to despise utterly. The Greek word translated as “prophesyings” is “propheteia” and it means a discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God. So the Word of God being divinely inspired and written by the prophets or servants of the LORD is all prophecy. So the Apostle Paul was saying that the Thessalonians were not to fail to pay attention to the Scriptures as presented to them and not to fail to pay attention to those things told them by the apostles.
Verse 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
The Greek word translated as “prove” is “dokimazo” and it means to test, examine, or scrutinize to see whether a thing is genuine or not. So the Thessalonian believers were to test or examine the things they were told to be sure they were of God and not of man or of the Devil, and embrace the things that were praiseworthy and morally good.
Verses 22-24 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
The Christian believer is to refrain from doing something that may have an outward appearance of evil. Because Christian believers are scrutinized by unbelievers for the opportunity to criticize them for their Faith, believers have to be very careful what they do and where they go. A believer may have been seen going into a bar and gossip is spread that this man or woman was drinking etc. The believer may have been going into the bar to bring home a family member or an friend who was struggling with alcohol addiction and so there was no evil intended, but the appearance was misjudged by others. This writer used to ride with the Christian Motorcycle Association and it was their ministry to go into bars and witness to the bike riders congregating there. This writer made it a practice to stay outside of the business and just talk to those bikers coming and going so that, hopefully, no appearance of evil would be found for others to criticize and spread misinformation, and so that the name of the LORD Jesus Christ would not be disparaged.
Verses 25-28 Brethren, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens. (1 Thessalonians 5)
Application: The last words written by the Apostle Paul in this epistle was to request the Thessalonian believers pray for him and for his companions. It cannot be state enough in this Bible study web site that prayer changes things. Prayer puts the power of God in motion. Prayer for all believers everywhere is badly needed in this wicked and perverse world where persecution abounds and the love of many has grown cold.