Bible Commentary

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. 8. But let us, who are of the day, be sober ] Better, since we are of the day (R. V.); comp. notes on “sober” (1Th 5:6), and “day” … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:8”

For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 7. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night ] The “sons of day” must be wakeful and sober, for the opposite conditions belong to night and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:7”

Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober. 6. Therefore ] More exactly, Accordingly then. The double conjunction here employed is an idiom peculiar to St Paul, which appears once in 2 Thess. (ch. 1Th 2:15), eight times in Romans, and twice besides in his Epistles. It combines … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:6”

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 5. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day ] More correctly, For you are all sons of light and sons of day. This confirms positively what was … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:5”

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief ] Properly, the day the great Day, the “day of the Lord” (1Th 5:2); comp. the other elliptical phrase, “the wrath,” of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:4”

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 3. For when they shall say ] Rather, when they are saying (R. V.). In the very act of their saying “Peace and safety” just when men of the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:3”

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 2. For yourselves know perfectly ] “For yourselves know:” a turn of expression characteristic of these Epistles; ch. 1Th 1:5 (see note), 1Th 2:1 (Identical with this), 2, 5, 11; 1Th 3:4; 1Th 4:2; 2Th 2:6; 2Th … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:2”

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 1. But of the times and the seasons ] Better, concerning the times and the seasons. The Greek word for “times” denotes stretches of time, that for seasons particular times; the question as to the former was, “How … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:1”

Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words ] Lit., in these words, in the revelation just communicated the readers are to find comfort for each other under their recent bereavement, and in all such seasons. Observe how wishful the Apostle is that his flock should minister to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 4:18”

Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 17. then we which are alive and remain ] Better, we that are alive, that remain (or survive). The phrase of 1Th … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 4:17”