1 Thessalonians 5:2 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

For yourselves know perfectly It being a matter plainly revealed both by Christ and his apostles; that the day of the Lord That great decisive day, to which our eyes and hearts are so much directed; so cometh as a thief in the night Cometh suddenly and unexpectedly; and will occasion the greatest consternation to the ungodly. This comparison is used by our Lord himself to illustrate the unexpectedness of his coming, Matthew 24:43. It is used by St. Peter also, 2 Peter 3:10; see likewise Revelation 3:3. The ancients, from this comparison, and from the parable of the virgins, fancying that Christ's coming to judgment would be in the night, instituted their vigils, in order that at his coming he might find them watching. But the true meaning of the comparison is, that, like the coming of a thief in the night, on those who are asleep and unarmed, the coming of Christ will be unexpected, and full of terror to the wicked; without determining whether it will be in the daytime or in the night. For when they The men of the world; shall say Shall promise to one another; peace and safety And shall fear no evil of any kind; then sudden destruction cometh upon them And a destruction of the most terrible kind; as travail upon a woman with child “Nothing can be conceived more forcible to represent the anguish and torment of the wicked, occasioned by the stinging of their own consciences, and by the horrid fears which shall be excited in them, when they find themselves over-taken by the judgment, than to compare it to the pains of child- bearing.” And they shall not escape Condemnation and punishment at that terrible day. See 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9.