1 Thessalonians 5:4-8

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:6-10

On what had been said, the apostle grounds seasonable exhortations to several needful duties. I. To watchfulness and sobriety, 1 Thess. 5:6. These duties are distinct, yet they mutually befriend one another. For, while we are compassed about with so many temptations to intemperance and excess, we shall not keep sober, unless we be upon our guard, and, unless we keep sober, we shall not long watch. 1. Then let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch; we must not be secure and careless, nor... 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 5:4

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness ,.... In a state of unregeneracy, which is a state of darkness, blindness, and ignorance, and which is the condition of all men by nature; they are born in darkness, and are brought up in it, and willingly, walk in it; they are covered with it, as the earth was covered with darkness in its first creation; and dwell in it, as the Egyptians did for some days, in thick darkness, darkness which might be felt; their understandings are darkened with respect to... read more

John Gill

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

Ye are all children of light ,.... Or enlightened persons, whose understandings were enlightened by the spirit of God, to see their lost state by nature, the exceeding sinfulness of sin, the insufficiency of their righteousness to justify them before God, the fulness, suitableness, and excellency of Christ's righteousness, the way of salvation by Christ, and that it is all of grace from first to last; to understand in some measure the Scriptures of truth, and the mysteries of the Gospel; to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:6

Therefore let us not sleep as do others .... As the rest of the Gentiles, as unconverted persons, who are in a state of darkness, and are children of the night; let us not act that part they do, or be like them; which professors of religion too much are, when they indulge themselves in carnal lusts and pleasures, and are careless and thoughtless about the coming of the day of the Lord; and get into a stupid, drowsy, and slumbering frame of spirit; when grace lies dormant as if it was not,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:7

For they that sleep, sleep in the night ,.... The night is the usual season for sleep, and sleep is only for such who are in darkness, and are children of the night; and not proper to be indulged by such who are children of the day, and of the light: and they that be drunken, are drunken in the night ; drunkenness is a work of darkness, and therefore men given to excessive drinking love darkness rather than light, and choose the night for their purpose. To be drunk at noon is so shameful... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 5:8

But let us, who are of the day, be sober ,.... As in body, so in mind; let us cast off the works of darkness, and have no fellowship with them; since the day of grace has passed upon us, the darkness is gone, and the true light shines, let us walk as children of the light, living soberly, righteously, and godly: putting on the breastplate of faith and love ; this is the coat of mail, 1 Samuel 17:5 which was made of iron or brass; and the Ethiopic version here calls it, "the iron coat."... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 5:4

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness - Probably St. Paul refers to a notion that was very prevalent among the Jews, viz.: that God would judge the Gentiles in the night time, when utterly secure and careless; but he would judge the Jews in the day time, when employed in reading and performing the words of the law. The words in Midrash Tehillim, on Psalm 9:8 , are the following: When the holy blessed God shall judge the Gentiles, it shall be in the night season, in which they shall be... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Ye are all the children of light - Ye are children of God, and enjoy both his light and life. Ye are Christians - ye belong to him who has brought life and immortality to light by his Gospel. This dispensation, under which ye are, has illustrated all the preceding dispensations; in its light all is become luminous; and ye, who walked formerly in heathen ignorance, or in the darkness of Jewish prejudices, are now light in the Lord, because ye have believed in him who is the light to lighten... read more

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