1Th 5:1-2 | Barnes | STEP | 1st Thessalonians Chapter 5 ANALYSIS OF CHAPTER THIS chapter consists of two parts. I. The continuation of the subject of the coming of the Lord, ; and, II. Various practical exhortations. In the first part, the apostle states (1.)that it was well understood by the Thessalonians that the coming of the Lord would be sudden, and at an unexpected moment, ; (2.) he refers to the effect of his coming on the wicked and the righteous, and says that it would be attended with the sudden and inevitable destruction of the former, ; but that the result of his coming would be far different on the righteous, . The prospect of his coming was fitted to make them watchful and sober, ; and his advent would be attended with their certain salvation, . In the second part of the chapter, he exhorts them to show proper respect for their spiritual teachers and rulers, ; to endeavour to restrain the unruly, to support the feeble, and to evince towards all the spirit of patience and forbearance, ; to manifest a meek and benevolent manner of life, ; to rejoice always, ; to pray constantly, ; to render thanks to God in every situation, ; to cherish the influences of the Holy Ghost on their souls, ; to show respect for all the divine prophetic communications, ; to consider and examine carefully everything submitted to them for belief; to adhere steadfastly to all that was good and true, ; and to avoid the appearance of evil, . The epistle closes with a fervent prayer that God would sanctify them entirely; with an earnest entreaty that they would pray for him; with a command that the epistle should be read to all the churches, and with the benediction, . Verse 1. But of the times and the seasons. . The reference here is to the coming of the Lord Jesus, and to the events connected with his advent. See the close of . Ye have no need that I write unto you. That is, they had received all the information on the particular point to which he refers, which it was necessary they should have. He seems to refer to the suddenness of his coming. It is evident from this, as well as from other parts of this epistle, that this had been, from some cause, a prominent topic which he had dwelt on when he was with them. .

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2

1st Thessalonians Chapter 5

ANALYSIS OF CHAPTER

THIS chapter consists of two parts.

I. The continuation of the subject of the coming of the Lord, 1Thes 5:1-11; and,

II. Various practical exhortations.

In the first part, the apostle states

(1.)that it was well understood by the Thessalonians that the coming of the Lord would be sudden, and at an unexpected moment, 1Thes 5:1,2;

(2.) he refers to the effect of his coming on the wicked and the righteous, and says that it would be attended with the sudden and inevitable destruction of the former, 1Thes 5:3; but that the result of his coming would be far different on the righteous, 1Thes 5:4-11. The prospect of his coming was fitted to make them watchful and sober, 1Thes 5:6-8; and his advent would be attended with their certain salvation, 1Thes 5:9-11.

In the second part of the chapter, he exhorts them to show proper respect for their spiritual teachers and rulers, 1Thes 5:12,13; to endeavour to restrain the unruly, to support the feeble, and to evince towards all the spirit of patience and forbearance, 1Thes 5:14; to manifest a meek and benevolent manner of life, 1Thes 5:18; to rejoice always, 1Thes 5:16; to pray constantly, 1Thes 5:17; to render thanks to God in every situation, 1Thes 5:18; to cherish the influences of the Holy Ghost on their souls, 1Thes 5:19; to show respect for all the divine prophetic communications, 1Thes 5:20; to consider and examine carefully everything submitted to them for belief; to adhere steadfastly to all that was good and true, 1Thes 5:21; and to avoid the appearance of evil, 1Thes 5:22. The epistle closes with a fervent prayer that God would sanctify them entirely; with an earnest entreaty that they would pray for him; with a command that the epistle should be read to all the churches, and with the benediction, 1Thes 5:23-28.

Verse 1. But of the times and the seasons. Acts 1:7. The reference here is to the coming of the Lord Jesus, and to the events connected with his advent. See the close of 1Thes 4.

Ye have no need that I write unto you. That is, they had received all the information on the particular point to which he refers, which it was necessary they should have. He seems to refer to the suddenness of his coming. It is evident from this, as well as from other parts of this epistle, that this had been, from some cause, a prominent topic which he had dwelt on when he was with them. 1Thes 1:10. Verse 2. For yourselves know perfectly. That is, they had been taught this. There could be no doubt in their minds respecting it.

The day of the Lord so cometh. Of the Lord Jesus--for so the word "Lord" in the New Testament commonly means. Acts 1:24. The "day of the Lord" means that day in which he will be manifested, or in which he will be the prominent object in view of the assembled universe.

As a thief in the night. Suddenly and unexpectedly, as a robber breaks into a dwelling. A thief comes without giving any warning, or any indications of his approach. He not only gives none, but he is careful that none shall be given. It is a point with him, that, it possible, the man whose house he is about to rob shall have no means of ascertaining his approach until he comes suddenly upon him. Comp. Mt 24:37; and Mt 24:38-43, Lk 12:39, Lk 12:40. In this way the Lord Jesus will return to judgment; and this proves that all the attempts to determine the day, the year, or the century when he will come, must be fallacious. He intends that his coming to this world shall be sudden and unexpected, "like that of a thief in the night;" that there shall be no such indications of his approach that it shall not be sudden and unexpected; and that no warning of it shall be not the point of the comparison in expressions like this, what is it? Is there anything else in which his coming will resemble that of a thief? And if this be the true point of comparison, how can it be true that men can ascertain when that is to occur? Assuredly, if they can, his coming will not be like that of a thief. Comp. Acts 1:7.

(a) "cometh as a thief" Lk 12:39,40, 2Pet 3:10, Rev 16:15