1 Thessalonians 5

The Day of the Lord

1 Now concerning w the times and the seasons, brothers, 1 x you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that y the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then z sudden destruction will come upon them a as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you b are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all c children 2 of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then d let us not sleep, as others do, but let us e keep awake and f be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, g are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, h having put on the breastplate of i faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for j wrath, but k to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 l who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Final Instructions and Benediction

12 We ask you, brothers, m to respect those who labor among you and n are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. o Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish p the idle, 3 q encourage the fainthearted, r help the weak, s be patient with them all. 15 See that t no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always u seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 v Rejoice always, 17 w pray without ceasing, 18 x give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 y Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise z prophecies, 21 but a test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may b the God of peace himself c sanctify you completely, and may your d whole e spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at f the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 g He who calls you is faithful; h he will surely do it.

25 i Brothers, pray for us.

26 j Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have k this letter read to all the brothers.

28 l The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

  1. Cross References
    Daniel 2:21
    He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
    Acts 1:7
    He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
  2. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 4:9
    Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
  3. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 2:2
    Not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
    Matthew 24:43
    But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.
    Luke 17:24
    For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.
  4. Cross References
    Luke 21:34
    But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.
    Psalms 35:8
    Let destruction come upon him when he does not know it! And let the net that he hid ensnare him; let him fall into it - to his destruction!
    Luke 17:26 - 30
    Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man.
    2 Thessalonians 1:9
    They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.
  5. Cross References
    Isaiah 13:8
    They will be dismayed: pangs and agony will seize them; they will be in anguish like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at one another; their faces will be aflame.
  6. Cross References
    1 John 2:8
    At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.
  7. Cross References
    Luke 16:8
    The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.
  8. Cross References
    Mark 13:36
    Lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.
    Romans 13:11 - 13
    Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
  9. Cross References
    Matthew 24:42
    Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
  10. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:13
    Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
  11. Cross References
    Acts 2:15
    For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
    2 Peter 2:13
    Suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you.
  12. Cross References
    Isaiah 59:17
    He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
    Ephesians 6:14
    Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.
    Ephesians 6:17
    And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
  13. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:23
    Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  14. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 1:10
    And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
  15. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 2:13 - 14
    But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
    Hebrews 10:39
    But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
  16. Cross References
    Romans 14:9
    For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
    2 Timothy 2:11
    The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him.
  17. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:18
    For they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men.
    Philippians 2:29
    So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men.
  18. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:16
    Be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.
    Hebrews 13:17
    Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
  19. Cross References
    Mark 9:50
    Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.
  20. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 3:6 - 7
    Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
    2 Thessalonians 3:11
    For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
  21. Cross References
    Isaiah 35:4
    Say to those who have an anxious heart, "Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.
    Hebrews 12:12
    Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees.
  22. Cross References
    Acts 20:35
    In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
    Romans 15:1
    We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
  23. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 13:4
    Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
  24. Cross References
    1 Peter 3:9
    Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
    Romans 12:17
    Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
  25. Cross References
    Romans 12:9
    Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
    Galatians 6:10
    So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
  26. Cross References
    Philippians 4:4
    Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
  27. Cross References
    Luke 18:1
    And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
  28. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:20
    Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  29. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:30
    If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.
    Ephesians 4:30
    And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
    1 Timothy 4:14
    Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
    2 Timothy 1:6
    For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
  30. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 11:4
    Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.
  31. Cross References
    1 John 4:1
    Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
    Job 34:4
    Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good.
    Ephesians 5:10
    And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
  32. Cross References
    Romans 15:33
    May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
  33. Cross References
    Exodus 31:13
    You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, 'Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you.
    John 17:17
    Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
  34. Cross References
    2 Peter 3:14
    Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
    Jude 1:1
    Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
  35. Cross References
    Luke 1:46 - 47
    And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord.
    Hebrews 4:12
    For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
    1 Corinthians 14:14
    For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.
  36. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:19
    For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
  37. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:9
    God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
  38. Cross References
    Philippians 1:6
    And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
  39. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 3:1
    Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you.
    Hebrews 13:18
    Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
  40. Cross References
    Romans 16:16
    Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
  41. Cross References
    Colossians 4:16
    And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
  42. Cross References
    Romans 16:20
    The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Previous Book Next Book