1Th 5:2-4 | TNotes | STEP | 5:2 For you know quite well: Paul reminds them of the teaching they had already received (3:3-4 ). • The day of the Lord’s return is the time when God will come to judge humanity (Isa 13:6 , 9 ; Ezek 30:3 ) and save his people (Joel 2:21-32 ; 3:18 ; Zech 14 ). • like a thief in the night: Cp. Matt 24:43-44 ; Luke 12:39-40 ; 2 Pet 3:10 ; Rev 3:3 ; 16:15 .

a5:2►

b3:3-4►

cIsa 13:6►

d9►

eEzek 30:3►

fJoel 2:21-32►

g3:18►

hZech 14►

iMatt 24:43-44►

jLuke 12:39-40►

k2 Pet 3:10►

lRev 3:3►

m16:15►

n5:3►

o5:4►

‏ 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4

5:2 ^a For you know quite well: Paul reminds them of the teaching they had already received (3:3-4 ^b).

• The day of the Lord’s return is the time when God will come to judge humanity (Isa 13:6 ^c, 9 ^d; Ezek 30:3 ^e) and save his people (Joel 2:21-32 ^f; 3:18 ^g; Zech 14 ^h).

• like a thief in the night: Cp. Matt 24:43-44 ⁱ; Luke 12:39-40 ^j; 2 Pet 3:10 ^k; Rev 3:3 ^l; 16:15 ^m.
5:3 ⁿ “Everything is peaceful and secure”: The expression “peace and safety” was common during the era of the pax Romana (Roman peace). Amid such presumed security, God’s ultimate judgment comes without warning and is inescapable.
5:4 ^o The day of the Lord will not surprise believers—not because they know the date of his coming, but because they are spiritually prepared.