ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 1 Thessalonians 5

1 Thess. 5:1 Now concerning. Paul may be responding to a question the Thessalonians sent by Timothy. the times and the seasons. That is, when the day of the Lord will occur (compare Acts 1:7).

1 Thess. 5:2–3 The phrase day of the Lord is common in the OT Prophets (see note on Amos 5:18–20). It refers to the great and terrible day when Yahweh will punish the disobedient and save the faithful. In Paul’s letters it is connected with the second coming. like a thief in the night. Unexpected and unwelcome by those not ready for it (see Matt. 24:43–44). people. That is, unbelievers. peace and security. False promises of avoiding God’s wrath. labor pains. A metaphor for judgment and destruction on the day of the Lord. Compare Isa. 13:8; Jer. 6:24.

1 Thess. 5:4 But you. Christians will not face destruction on judgment day.

1 Thess. 5:5 children of light. Those who belong to God and receive his salvation (Luke 16:8; John 12:36; Col. 1:13).

1 Thess. 5:6 So then. Paul gives general instructions based on the reassurances in v. 5. sleep. Living without considering the coming day of judgment.

1 Thess. 5:8 breastplate . . . helmet. Paul echoes Isa. 59:17, where the Lord is a warrior wearing armor (see Eph. 6:10–20). faith and love . . . hope. Essential Christian traits (see 1 Cor. 13:13; 1 Thess. 1:3).

1 Thess. 5:9 For connects this verse with either vv. 6–8 in general or with the specific instruction in v. 8 to put on the helmet of hope.

1 Thess. 5:10 awake or asleep. Alive or dead (4:13–18).

1 Thess. 5:12–13 respect those who labor . . . admonish you. The young Thessalonian church was not appreciating and respecting its leaders enough. are over you. The elders in the church (see notes on Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). Be at peace among yourselves may suggest there were tensions in the community.

1 Thess. 5:14 idle. Some Thessalonians were ignoring their responsibility to work. See 4:9–12; also 2 Thess. 3:6–15. fainthearted. Due to persecution (1 Thess. 3:3–4) or the unexpected deaths (4:13–5:11). weak. Those with weak consciences (see 1 Corinthians 8–9), those upset by the ongoing persecution, or those anxious about the day of the Lord (1 Thess. 5:1–11).

1 Thess. 5:16 Rejoice always. Joy is a basic mark of the Christian (Rom. 14:17) and a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).

1 Thess. 5:17 Pray without ceasing suggests continual personal fellowship with God.

1 Thess. 5:18 give thanks. Christians are to be marked by thanksgiving (Eph. 5:4, 20; Col. 2:7; 3:15; 17; 4:2). This probably refers to all of 1 Thess. 5:16–18.

1 Thess. 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit. The next verse clarifies how the Thessalonians were putting out the Holy Spirit’s fire.

1 Thess. 5:20–21 Do not despise prophecies. Believers are to be open to learning God’s will through fellow Christians exercising the gift of prophecy (see note on 1 Cor. 14:22–25). test everything. To distinguish the true from the false. True prophecy agrees with Scripture and helps the church. See 1 Cor. 14:29–33 and the note on 1 Cor. 12:10. what is good. Most likely prophecies that pass the test.

1 Thess. 5:23–28 God of peace. God initiated the reconciliation of Christians with himself. He is now at peace with them. Spirit, soul, and body represent the entirety of human nature (see Matt. 10:28; Mark 12:30; 1 Cor. 7:34).

1 Thess. 5:26 holy kiss. A symbol of Christian fellowship and holiness (see note on 1 Cor. 16:20).

1 Thess. 5:27 I. As usual, having dictated his letter to a secretary, Paul wrote the final greeting in his own handwriting (compare 2 Thess. 3:17). This showed readers that the letter really came from Paul. have this letter read to all. See note on Col. 4:16.