1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 - Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

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Ready for “the Day of the Lord”

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

To the Apostle “the day of the Lord” was near. He expected it in his lifetime, and if we remember that the Lord's words with reference to it were in part fulfilled when Jerusalem fell, it is clear that his expectation was not altogether vain.

The suddenness of the Advent was the theme of Jesus' reiterated assurances. See Matthew 24:38; Matthew 24:43; Luke 17:29-30. The world spends its days in careless indifference (sleep), or in sensual enjoyment (drunkenness); but believers are bidden to be soldier-like in their attire and watchfulness. Ponder that wonderful word in 1 Thessalonians 5:10. Together implies that Christians now living are closely united with those who have died. The state we call death, but which the Apostle calls sleep-because our Lord's resurrection has robbed it of its terror-is as full of vitality as the life which we live day by day in this world. We live together, animated by the same purposes-they on that side and we on this. Whether here or there, life is “in Him.” The closer we live to Him, the nearer we are to them.

Related Commentaries of 1 Thessalonians 5:1

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

1 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.

4 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.

8 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 comforta yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.