1Th 5:6-8 | TNotes | STEP | 5:6 Stay alert and be clearheaded echoes Jesus’ call to be morally prepared because the disciples will not know the day of his return (Matt 24:42 , 44 ; 25:13 ; cp. 1 Pet 1:13 ).

5:6 ^a Stay alert and be clearheaded echoes Jesus’ call to be morally prepared because the disciples will not know the day of his return (Matt 24:42 ^b, 44 ^c; 25:13 ^d; cp. 1 Pet 1:13 ^e).
5:7 ^f Sleep refers to moral indifference (5:6 ^g), and drunk is a metaphor for those who do not exercise self-control; they will be surprised by the day of the Lord (5:4 ^h; Matt 24:48-51 ⁱ).
5:8 ^j Armor ... helmet (Isa 59:17 ^k; Eph 6:11-17 ^l): The armament is the moral life (Rom 13:12 ^m; 2 Cor 6:7 ⁿ; 10:3-5 ^o; 2 Tim 2:3-4 ^p). The Christian soldier is equipped with the virtues of faith, love, and confidence (see 1 Thes 1:3 ^q; 3:6 ^r; 1 Cor 13:13 ^s; 2 Thes 1:3-4 ^t).