First Thessalonians (commentary)

1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

First contact: Acts 17.1-10: Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and [saying], "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ." 4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas. 5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar ...10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace to you and peace

I believe these benefits should be understood subjectively (not objectively) i.e. as those benefits from God that are to be experienced: these are things that can be experienced by faith in God’s word.

Enabling grace to do the will of God: 2 Corinthians 9.8: And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may have an abundance for every good work.

Peace as a state of calm and stability, and confidence: John 14.27: Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Peace does not mean things are going as we wished,but you must know that you have done what God requires of you and have put what is outside your control with Him.

2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
We give thanks to God

Salvation is of and from God. The fruit of salvation was evident...

Remembering...faith, love, hope

Three interconnected qualities characteristic of those who have the truth of salvation fresh and progressing in the word of God.

Work of faith

followers in much affliction: 1.6
turned to God from idols: 1.9

labor of love

concerning brotherly love ... you do so toward all the brethren 4.9
Characteristic of salvation is love for fellow believers. I believe this is the “first love” in the church at Ephesus, Rev 2.4

patience of hope

to wait for His Son from heaven... Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come 1.10
Hope is expectation. The coming of Christ has the promise of complete salvation and justice, and such has the affect of patience in doing the will of God.
Patience is not responding in an unbecoming way, the way of the flesh.

knowing your election by God

Acts 15.14: Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.

Election speaks of Divine choosing and service. God has chosen the gentiles for salvation by faith in the truth and to have a people from them for His service. The Thessalonian audience seems to be primarily gentiles. This is a primary issue in the beginning of this letter, because those who opposed the gospel Paul brought also opposed this stewardship of Paul concerning God's election of the gentiles into His service as the new people of God. That service is fulfilled in their salvation and in the qualities of faith, love, and hope.

5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, [even] Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
For our gospel...

evidence of their election was in the manner by how the gospel came to them by these Jewish missionaries

The message was proclaimed by these Jewish missionaries in or with…
1) Word (it came in word but not word only)
2) Power (the manner in which they spoke, ability)
3) Holy Spirit (it was of God—they spoke with authority, boldness)
4) Full assurance (the messengers spoke with complete conviction of
the truth of their message—Jews speaking to gentiles of the Divine will)
5) Conduct becoming (the messengers’ conduct was consistent with
their message—there was no hidden or temporal gain motive.)

These Jews brought a message uncommon to gentiles of salvation and Divine will that was backed up by the manner in which these missionaries spoke and conducted themselves. The Thessalonians' election by God was evident by the manner in which the gospel came to them and the resulting salvation and fruit in their lives.

Paul is setting forth evidence for their election by God and the legitimization of his ministry for the two go together. For many Jews opposed and slandered his ministry, due to unbelief and jealousy. Paul seeks to demonstrate that he is approved by God, in both his ministry to the gentiles and his motives.

Fruit of their salvation
1) Followers… in much affliction;
2) examples—to those in their region and beyond
3) turned to God from idols
4) Knowledge and expectation of Christ’s coming and salvation

2:1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.
Transformation of the Thessalonians was evidence of the legitimacy of Paul to outsiders (1.9).... but the Thessalonians themselves knew first hand: For you yourselves know, brethren

The Jewish opposition sought to discredit Paul, but his conduct was in sharp contrast to that which he was accused of, the Thessalonians knew this first hand.

our coming to you was not in vain

vain = empty, i.e. empty-handed

The Thessalonians' faith and fruit was due to a message by messengers of unquestionable conduct. Outsiders knew this and the Thessalonians knew this. Paul's message and ministry was not empty. Whatever the opposition may have claimed, the Thess. believers knew differently.

Paul’s opponents went about seeking to discredit him: Acts 17.13: But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea , they came there also and stirred up the crowds. By this means, they might cause the Thess. to fail in their faith.

EBC: Subjected to a constant barrage of accusations, Thessalonian Christians may easily have begun to question Paul's sincerity. There is no evidence of organized opposition within the church, yet Timothy apparently brought back news (3:6) that some uncertainty had arisen within it as to whether Paul's concern for it was genuine. This is not to say that his relations with the readers of the Epistle were no longer cordial (cf. 3:6), but symptoms of estrangement had appeared that could have led to an open rift unless treated immediately.

2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.
even after we had suffered ...we were bold

EBC: Under such conditions, most people would have refrained from repeating a message that had led to such violent treatment, but not these men. With God's help, they mustered sufficient courage to declare in this new city their gospel from God.


3 For our exhortation [did] not [come] from error or uncleanness, nor [was] [it] in deceit.
Not from error, uncleanness, deceit.

Paul’s message was evangelistic and an exhortation to right living. It was from a proper understanding of Scripture—consistent with the message of Christ and had Christ’s sanction. It was properly motivated, without a temporal gain motive.

4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness--God [is] witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.
We have been approved by God

Approved by God means that God chose them for this service and they were qualified by their motives and actions. The heart can be deceitful in its affections and intentions. Difficulty often brings out the motives of the heart. Paul’s perseverance in difficulties in serving God, and his conduct among the Thess revealed the motives of his heart. God tests the heart thru allowing conflict in life. Failure means the heart is to blame, but testing is necessary to determine what is in the heart, to make it manifest—to man, and to give just cause from God for disqualification and judgment.

7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing [mother] cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
We were gentle among you
A parent - child relationship. It was sacrificial.

9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 10 You [are] witnesses, and God [also], how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
Laboring night and day
Paul could not be accused of temporal motives, as for personal fame or money.

11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father [does] his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
you know how we exhorted

A sincere concern for their progress and eternal well-being, and not just a concerned about evangelism but for fitness for the kingdom.

13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God,

Paul and Company were Ministers of the Word of God: We behave as we do because we minister the word of God.

The Word was received by the Thessalonians: 2.13a.

We (Paul and Co.) also, i.e., they too were thankful: same thankfulness as 1.2; but not in addition to the thankfulness of 1.2, but they were along with Thessalonians giving thanks. The Thessalonians received the word of God and were thankful of that fact--Paul and Co. were thankful of that fact as well. (Lenski says this should be understood objectively—the fact of it; and not subjectively, as in what they--the Thessalonians--thought about the Word proclaimed.

which also effectively works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they [did] from the Judeans,
The Word was effective in the Thessalonians: 2.13b-14

God’s word produces fruit through faith: They are imitators, followers as in 1.6. They are persecuted like the churches in Judea.

15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up [the] [measure] [of] their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
The Word was rejected by the Jews: 2.15-16

Those who believe the Word of God are persecuted by those who don’t. Those who should have accepted the Word are the persecutors.

These Jews are like than ancestors, rejecting the Word of God.

Contrary to men: forbidding them to speak to the gentiles.
What was the role of the Jew?—to minister the Word of God to the world.

Fill up sins identifies them with their ancestors’ acts against the prophets.
These sins have been taken to a limit where judgment must come.
Wrath has come…this is aorist, past tense, but same as in Revelation 6.17-- This speaks of the certainty of the wraths arrival: I believe this is AD 70. See Mat 23.31-36; Lk 21.20-24

17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you--even I, Paul, time and again--but Satan hindered us.
The State of their Faith - (First Thessalonians 2:17-3:13)

Paul and Co. express a sincere longing for them, contrary to the claims of Paul and Co.'s opponents .
Satan had hindered Paul from visiting. Those doing satan’s will were in opposition to Paul's ministry because they were in opposition to God.

19 For what [is] our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? [Is] [it] not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
A Crown of (which is) rejoicing
The Greatest Reward, I believe, will be other believers in God’s presence -- believers who are our fruit.

3:1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.
Affliction is the believer's appointment.

Affliction is tribulation. The world is contrary to the believer. Jesus suffered, and so will his disciples. "Appointed" means their/ our allotment, destiny, Greek means "set."

5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.
Concern about their faith.
Satan's temptation is... to respond in the flesh, to do the wrong thing, to be deceived to believe a lie. See Hebrews 10.32-36
Paul and Co.'s Labor in vain …if they fail in their faith and become disapproved/ useless for the kingdom of God

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also [to] [see] you-- 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.
Good news
They continued in faith and love, and they had a good remembrance of Paul and Co. They had not written him/ them off as a exploiters or disinterested in their well-being, which could have resulted in the Thessalonians having faith failure.

8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
Now We live
This speaks of a quality of life. Shows how greatly they impacted Paul and Co. It was not just Paul impacting them. This strengthens Paul’s desire to be with them and strengthen them.

11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.
It’s up to the Lord [Jesus] to get Paul to them.

12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we [do] to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
The Lord increase their love ... to be blameless
Love is greater than faith, but faith is essential (says Lenski) as love is the fruit of faith. Love for believers and others (who even afflict) is due to Divine perspective. The increase means improvement is needed, especially for some in not taking advantage of others, 4.9-13

WHY this love? So that the Lord may establish you blameless.
Establish means to make constant.
The heart signifies affections.
Blameless means without fault.
Holiness speaks of morality and motives that are pure.

The goal is to be blameless at Christ’s coming.

Love for others, especially believers, is a fruit of faith in God, His salvation, His purposes, and kingdom.
This love for others should work towards constant affections that are without fault.
This love is in/ by holiness, morality and motives that are pure. 4.3-7
God’s purpose and approval for his people is through this faith and love.

This Love results in beingblameless before God by holiness. This love is by holiness, which is moral purity and spiritual priorities. The value of this is bound to the function of the church. What follows is a particular area of holiness that relates to love. 1 Peter 4.8 says love covers a multitude of sins, also see James 2.13.

4:1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;
The will of God is their sanctification.
“Finally” signifies atransition from primary concerns pertaining to the state of their faith.

"Abound" means to bear fruit, especially love (3.12)... by a walk (fig.) which requires priorities, conduct becoming.

2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
"Commandments" signify Divine authority.

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord [is] the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects [this] does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
God’s will is that which has been revealed; it is His moral will. Sanctification is holiness. Here, it is more specific than in 3.12-13.

‘Sexual immorality’ is to be abstain from, for it is contrary to the will of God.
Morris: The Thessalonian Christians lived in a world where people did not see fornication as a sin but as part of normal life. It featured in the worship of more than one deity.

This Church had a great testimony, but it was not immune to temptation. Paul seems gentle here, probably because they are newer believers.

‘Each should know how’ Each believer is responsible for his own conduct. Is there any question of God’s will is when it comes to sex? Unfortunately, many believers fail in this area.

‘Vessel’ is figurative for the body, though some say it refers to the wife, see 1 Pet 3.7. But is this only addressed to men?
‘Possess’ means control. 1 Cor 7.1-5 is instructive here.

‘Who don’t know God’: the believer knows God (in a salvation sense); and therefore, should know and do God's will.

‘Defraud’ing a brother; KBC: The brother here is most likely another human, not necessarily another Christian male. This seems clear from the fact that this person is a victim of illicit sex. Sexual immorality wrongs the partner in the forbidden act by involving him or her in behavior contrary to God’s will and therefore under His judgment. The initiator of the act takes advantage of his partner in sin by fanning the fire of passion till self-control is lost.
‘Avenger’: KBC: Two or more people practicing sex out of God’s will are calling God’s wrath down on themselves (Heb. 13:4).

Example fitting here: David's acts against Uriah with Bathsheba.
These activities destroy witness, causes failure and disapproval.

The ‘Call’ to holiness can be a summons, identification, or vocation. Our call is to show forth His holiness and salvation. A proper one man, woman marriage relationship or celibacy.

‘He who rejects this’ is rejecting God’s will. Can there be any doubt?

‘Has also given us His Holy Spirit’: We have the resources to enable us to do God’s will. I must spend time in His word, pray for help, and be committed to other believers.

9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and [that] you may lack nothing.
Love is always to increase.

In 3.12-13, love is connected to holiness by which we will be blameless. This must correspond to mercy triumphs over judgment, James 2.13. And Peter’s love covers a multitude of sins. Consider that the Lord’s prayer says “Forgive us as we forgive.” Matthew 6. 14: "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

In 4.1-8 a particular area of holiness is addressed, being sexual purity, and this is loving one another, not taking advantage of and defrauding (initiating sin and causing disapproval or shipwreck) or violating someone’s marriage.

4.9-12 speaks of love as brotherly love. This is love towards fellow believers, as in a family relationship. This love is more general but focuses on personal responsibility, vs 11. Vs 12 says to be proper towards others, respect, honesty, don’t take advantage of, and again be concerned for well being of others.

Brotherly love (Greek for Philadelphia) speaks of as being in family relationship.
Matthew 12.47 Then one said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You." 48 But He answered and said to the one who told Him, " Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" 49 And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! 50 "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother ."

The focus is on a relationship, as in a family, and appropriate conduct. All believers are born of God, which has relations that last forever, while genetic connections are temporal.

‘Quiet life’speaks of minding your own business. There is a balance that must come through spiritual discernment when it comes to being concerned about others and yet not being nosey. Also, one should be as responsible for one’s own affairs as much as possible. Just as one was not to take advantage of another sexually in 4.6, one is not to take advantage of another’s generosity or expect it. Have you ever notice that once you give to a charity, you are then bombarded with letters and calls?

Walvoord: ‘We are exhorted to mind our own business. No one gets into trouble for minding his own business, but if he starts minding someone else’s business, that usually causes a lot of trouble. They were exhorted to mind their own business, and to work with their own hands. Honest toil is a good thing, and God’s people need to work to earn an honest living.’

This conduct is a testimony to those outside the faith.

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive [and] remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Paul now addresses a new issue that must have been raised during Timothy’s visit.

The Thessalonians believed in the coming of Christ for them, but what about those who have died before this event, particularly past acquaintances. When and how will we meet.

Do not be ignorant.
"Sleep" was used by Christ for those who have died in faith. See Mat 9.24; John 11.11
Cemetery comes from the Greek words for “sleeping place.”
Daniel spoke of death as sleep for all who have died: Dan 12.2.

Do not sorrow as others who have no hope
The word “as” is important and means “to the same degree.” Can believers sorrow? Certainly, but it should be consistent with knowledge and faith concerning everlasting life.
Sorrow over the death of someone should be consistent with our knowledge and faith in a future resurrection which is as certain as the death and resurrection of Christ. Cp. John 5.28-29 “God will bring”…implies the resurrection.

The hard thing in death of a fellow believer who was close to you in some way is that it is the end of a relationship in this life. You will never see them again in this realm of existence. That fact is difficult. A lot can be said about the difficulty of this separation, but more important is the fact that we should know that we will see them again in the resurrection. The focus of Paul’s words are for comfort, and so dead acquaintances are in view—those we first want to see, encounter. That is a primary basis of comfort for the believer. The reason we should not sorrow as those without hope. And this would be no comfort if we did not recognize them in that future meeting.

Sorrow over those who were not saved must be viewed in light of their choice not to give attention to God’s way of salvation, but there still is grief, and maybe of a deeper nature. I sometimes dwell on an existence and realm where there is no hope forever, and I can’t fathom it. It’s too much for me. I don’t comprehend the nature of the resurrection or the idea of existence forever, and even less do I comprehend the nature of the resurrection of the unjust and existence forever. I can’t comprehend the nature of everlasting existence in the life to come, but surely it will surpass this life.

The "rapture" is the catching up of living believers to meet Christ at His coming, it comes from the Latin for "caught up." Those who have died in Christ will be resurrected first, and there will be this grand reunion with those who are alive.
Paul speaks this by divine authority. He included himself as if it could be in his lifetime.

The Blessed Hope, Titus 2.13, is not just the rapture but also the resurrection. Only one generation will experience the rapture. Over 1900 years of Christian have died.

Our church position on this event is that the rapture is not part of the second coming of Christ and precedes it by 7 years and. The 7 years is that 70th week of Daniel prophecy in Daniel 9. In the past, those 7 years were generally identified as the “tribulation” period, and so the rapture in this view is usually call a “pretrib rapture.” The other most popular view about the rapture is that it is part of the second coming and called a “posttrib rapture.” This view is more common among “preterists,” who hold the tribulation has happened or is the present age, and some dispensationalists, especially those who hold to a prewrath view which says that the tribulation will be shortened just before the end of 7 years, Christ comes and stays in the air and the rapture takes place, and then God’s wrath falls on the earth, followed by Christ’s descent to the earth. (Note: I am a Post trib rapturist who is also dispensational, yet see my notes on dispensationalism.)

Sleep here is different Greek word than in 1 Thess chapter 5, where the word is speaking of a spiritual condition. Sleep can mean physical sleep, or of death, or spiritual condition.

I don’t know why the order of events are so important, but the fact is that the resurrection will not be far off but will immediately precede the rapture.

I’m not sure why there was a concern about the dead in Christ, if the belief in the intermediate state is true, unless there is something about the intermediate state we don’t know—which I’m sure we don’t. It does seem the emphasis in Scripture is on a future resurrection. Maybe the passing of time is only like a moment: the passing of time in death is such that one experiences the resurrection right after death.

The coming of Christ will be with a shout, voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God. 1 Cor 15.52 connects a “last” trumpet with the rapture and resurrection. Are there 3 things happening here or 2 or 1? I don’t know, but it signifies an authoriativey command and urgency and maybe a public announcement. Cp.Mat 24.30-31. I think of the ominous sounding horn of the alien ships in War of the Worlds. Maybe there will be this ominous sound the world will hear at this event.

The main issue here is that the believer has the hope and comfort of a future reunion with those acquaintances who have died as believers.

5:1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
At the rapture, they will be united with the dead in Christ. So what about the Day of the Lord? Will believers be subject to the DOL?

Times and seasons signifies time in general and specific, apparently concerning some future event. See Jesus’ words in Acts 1.6-7 in response to the disciples about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel.

"Time" indicates the when and "Season" indicates the particular circumstances or characteristics.

2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
The Day of the Lord will come when? It is unknown, but it will come like a “thief.” The main significance of a thief is he is not expectant (catches people unprepared), and he causes loss. As a thief speaks of how it comes upon on the world, not believers. (A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, as jesus said in John 10.10.)

3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
The circumstances will be when people are saying “peace and safety,” a sense of security maybe normalcy.

The Day of the Lord's main feature is destruction. It is that prophetic event foretold in the OT prophets of coming judgment and destruction from God on the earth.

“Labor pains”is a term often used to signify the nature of an event. It comes sudden, with no escape—you have to go through it, and it is painful or sorrowful.

DOL is often believed to immediately follow the pretrib rapture and include the 7 year period of Daniel’s seventieth week and the Millennium. I prefer the view Richard Mayhue takes, a member of the IFCA, that it is at the end of the great tribulation and is connected to the events of the second coming of Christ; it is a period of direct Divine wrath upon the earth—wrath and judgment on the nations. See Mat 24.29-31, 36-44; Lk 21.25-28; Rev 6.12-17; Isa 2.10-12,19,2113.6-13, 34.1-4; Joel 3.9-16; Zech 14.1-3; 2 Pet 3.3-4, 9-12; Rev 16.12-16; 16.19; 18.7-10, 21-23

4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others [do], but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and [as] a helmet the hope of salvation.
That “Day” will not overtake us as a thief…why? …

Analogies between the natural world and the spiritual are made. “Sons” signify relationship and their (true) nature. Day and light are in contrast to night and darkness. Watch or waking (same Greek word) are in contrast to sleep, while soberness is in contrast to drunkenness.
We are of the light and day, and we are to be awake, watching, and sober. These speak of relationship and activity. We have salvation and know the truth and should continue in it. Light is knowledge of the truth or moral purity.

Being Sons of light and day speak not merely of experience but relationship and realm of belonging. We are not of the night or darkness, which spiritually, is the realm of this satanic world system. Those of that realm are separated from God and spiritually asleep or ignorant. Jesus said that “sons of this age are more shrewd [with money].” Lk 16.8

Since we are of the day and light, we should not “sleep.” This is speaking of a spiritual state of either ignorance or laxity. Paul uses the same Greek word for sleep here, throughout, while in 4.15, a different word. We should not be like those of the night realm. Drunkeness is used in contrast to being sober.

We are to be sober: be serious minded about the things of God. Be in the word and living by it.

In chapter one, we saw faith, love, and hope. These are like armor to the body. Faith in God and love for one another keeps us in line with the right affections. The hope of salvation (not merely temporal) should give us boldness and courage—to think and act correctly in difficulty.

9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Wrath is the appointment (temporal and everlasting, Rev 14.9-12) of those who are not saved. Our appointment is salvation. The DOL is coming upon the unsaved.

We should be walking with the Lord because we are of the “day,” but, even if we are “asleep,” we belong to the Lord. This is a word of security, but not an excuse.

Comfort comes from knowing we will be reunited with dead believers and saved from the wrath to come.

12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you [is] faithful, who also will do [it]. 25 Brethren, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen.
Concluding various exhortations
These are things that may be a result of Timothy’s visit.

‘Urge’ means to impress the need to do--this is to the “brethren.”
‘recognize' means take notice of.
‘Over you’ means ‘rule.’ In view, I believe, are elders in the local assembly or pastors.
Those who ‘Labor’... especially in the word, with its teaching.
‘Admonish’ means to warn…what you should or shouldn’t be doing
‘Esteem’ is to give recognition, consideration to, and highly, for their work.
‘Be at peace’: don’t cause conflict, give due consideration and appropriate submission.

Cp: 1 Tim 5.17: Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word.

I don’t know exactly what double honor means, though see my discussion on a plurality of Pastors, but we have a long tradition about elders anyway, in which one elder is usually the head, and the goal is to support him full time. Generally all the other elders are not supported. However, the elders should be recognized for their faithful function in the church.

‘Exhort’ is a strong encouragement. This also is to the “brethren” …the first was towards the elders, the second is toward fellow believers they congregate with.

‘Unruly’ is ‘disorderly’ as to not providing for self and taking advantage of others and meddling: see 2 Thes 3.6, 11: ‘Disorderly’ is same Greek word.

‘Comfort’... ‘uphold’.. be ‘patient’ …be longsuffering with those who are less mature spiritually.

‘Evil for evil’ is about revenge. It's Not our role but the government’s. We are always to seek what is good. Romans 12.17: Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

‘Rejoice’ ... ‘pray without ceasing’ ... ‘give thanks’
These 3 things are through knowing and depending on God.
They are a call to a proper perspective about temporal and eternal issues of life. A state resulting from priorities and submission to God and knowing and believing the word of God.

Do not … quench the Spirit, despise prophecies. Test all things… hold fast… Abstain from

These 4 may go together.
To quench means to extinguish, suppress or stifle. This is concerning the Spirit's activity or what is of God.
Activities in the early church are different from ours when it comes to spiritual manifestation.
This is not limited to that, but I think of 1 Cor 14 concerning Tongues and order of operation in the Church gathering. 1 Cor 14.26-31, 39-40
We can be too negative or limiting because of the possibility of error, disagreement, or past failures—such as in evangelistic methods. Liberty involves risk and failure. Some spontaneity is not all bad.
Despising prophecy might include negativity to the teaching of doctrinal issues/ topics.
we should just discern and hold what is true and good by Scripture.
Maybe some of our traditions of worship and denominationalism are what they are due to the quenching of the spirit.
Hold off what is evil: every form is every kind, not just appearance, even the evil of quenching the Spirit or opposition to the teaching of doctrine.


The God of peace…sanctify you completely… preserved blameless at the coming …He who calls you … will do [it].

Peace applies to God’s work in Sanctification, for sanctification is the same as salvation in its 3 aspects. Conflict exists where sanctification is not happening.
Sanctify completely: as previous in the letter in their care for oneanother, 3.12-13 and sexual purity, 4.3…
It is the goal of a transformation of character of the whole person, body, soul, spirit
To be without blame or censure at Christ’s coming is not the same as sinlessness, but without accusation against ones character: see 1 Ti 3.2 concerning Bishops/ Elders. God is able, and His intentions are always toward this end—the problem is our free will.

Pray for us… Greet all the brethren … read to all …grace

The missionaries need prayer too. And be hospital to all believers. Everyone needs to hear this. And as in the beginning, grace to all.