1 Thessalonians 5:2-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5

In these words observe, I. The apostle tells the Thessalonians it was needless or useless to enquire about the particular time of Christ's coming: Of the times and seasons you need not that I write unto you, 1 Thess. 5:1. The thing is certain that Christ will come, and there is a certain time appointed for his coming; but there was no need that the apostle should write about this, and therefore he had no revelation given him; nor should they or we enquire into this secret, which the Father has... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

5:1-11 You have no need, brothers, that anything should be written to you about the times and seasons; for you yourselves well know that, as a thief in the night, so the day of the Lord comes. When they are saying, "All is well; all is safe," then sudden destruction comes upon them, just as the labour pains come on a woman who is with child, and very certainly they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in the dark. You are not in a situation in which the day, like a thief, can surprise... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:2

For yourselves know perfectly ,.... With great exactness and accuracy, with great clearness and perspicuity, as a certain truth, which was made plain and evident to them, and about which there could be no question; and which perfect knowledge they had, either from the words of Christ, Matthew 24:42 , or from the ministration of the apostle and his fellow labourers, when among them: that the day of the Lord ; of the Lord Jesus, when he will show himself to be King of kings, and Lord of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:3

For when they shall say ,.... Or men shall say, that is, wicked and ungodly men, persons in a state of unregeneracy: peace and safety ; when they shall sing a requiem, to themselves, promise themselves much ease and peace for years to come, and imagine their persons and property to be very secure from enemies and oppressors, and shall flatter themselves with much and long temporal happiness: then sudden destruction cometh upon them ; as on the men of the old world in the times of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:3

For when they shall say, Peace and safety - This points out, very particularly, the state of the Jewish people when the Romans came against them; and so fully persuaded were they that God would not deliver the city and temple to their enemies, that they refused every overture that was made to them. Sudden destruction - In the storming of their city and the burning of their temple, and the massacre of several hundreds of thousands of themselves; the rest being sold for slaves, and the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:2

Verse 2 2Ye know perfectly. He places exact knowledge in contrast with an anxious desire of investigation. But what is it that he says the Thessalonians know accurately? (591) It is, that the day of Christ will come suddenly and unexpectedly, so as to take unbelievers by surprise, as a thief does those that are asleep. This, however, is opposed to evident tokens, which might portend afar off his coming to the world. Hence it were foolish to wish to determine the time precisely from presages or... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:3

Verse 3 3For when they shall say. Here we have an explanation of the similitude, the day of the Lord will be like a thief in the night. Why so? because it will come suddenly to unbelievers, when not looked for, so that it will take them by surprise, as though they were asleep. But whence comes that sleep? Assuredly from deep contempt of God. The prophets frequently reprove the wicked on account of this supine negligence, and assuredly they await in a spirit of carelessness not merely that last... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5

There is a natural curiosity to know "the times and the seasons" connected with an event so transcendently important to the human race. "But of the times and the seasons ye have no need that I write unto you." I. GOD HAS TIMES AND SEASONS IN HIS OWN POWER . It is solemnly true that "to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the sun" ( Ecclesiastes 3:1 ). God has " determined the times before appointed" ( Acts 17:26 ). His Son came " in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

I. THE TIME OF ITS COMING . 1. There was no real need to write to them about this. St. Paul had spoken of it; it had been a principal subject of his teaching. They knew all that could be known, all that they needed to know for their souls' health. But there was a restless curiosity, an eager longing "to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." Such knowledge was not for the apostles; it is not for the Church. "Of that day and that hour... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

I. HOW THE DAY OF THE LORD IS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED IN ITS COMING . "But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that aught be written unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." By the same method which is followed in 1 Thessalonians 4:9 , the apostle seeks to impress on the Thessalonians a certain point relating to the times and. the seasons which make up the period of the Lord's... read more

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