Chapter 5
5 But as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to have anything written to you.
This was a bad chapter division – Paul is still talking about the Second Coming.
2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
i.e it’ll be unexpected
3 When people say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape.
Although Paul says he can’t say when it’ll be, he says it’ll be when people least expect it.
4 But you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness.
Since Christians have been illumined, they shouldn’t be caught off-guard, even though they don’t know when the Second Coming will take place.
6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But, since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and…
Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to watchfulness.
…put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
Paul uses this “armour of God” metaphor elsewhere.
9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with him.
Words from Night Prayer.
Reiterating that it doesn’t matter if you’re dead or alive.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
This is encouraging news!
Final Exhortations, Greetings, and Benediction
12 But we beseech you, brethren, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.
Respect the clergy
Be at peace among yourselves.
Respect each other.
14 And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
Exhort with wisdom
15 See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.
A central teaching of the Lord
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
A few pithy maxims.
19 Do not quench the Spirit, 20 do not despise prophesying, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good, 22 abstain from every form of evil.
Excellent summary of discernment.
23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Also found in Night Prayer.
24 He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
We are God’s workmanship.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
Paul asks for their prayers.
Intercession apologetics.
26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
Lots of love!
27 I adjure you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brethren.
Most likely in the Eucharistic liturgy.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Farewell
Introduction | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5