Frameworks:
1 Thessalonians 5
v.1-11
Be ready for when Jesus returns
v.12-28
Final miscellaneous instructions
[Chapter
Synopsis: The focus is on being ready when Jesus returns,
plus miscellaneous instructions about right attitudes towards
leaders, living in peace and harmony, encouraging and building
one another up.]
v.1-11
Be ready for when Jesus returns
[Passage
Synopsis: Don't be caught out when Jesus returns but
live out your Christian life, full of faith, love and hope.]
v.1,2
(Jesus will return without
warning) Now, brothers and sisters,
about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you
know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief
in the night.
v.3
(those who make excuses
will be destroyed) While people
are saying, ‘Peace and safety', destruction will come on them
suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not
escape.
v.4
(but you shouldn't be
caught by surprise) But you,
brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should
surprise you like a thief.
v.5
(you belong in the light)
You are all children of the light
and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the
darkness.
v.6
(so let's be awake and
alert) So then, let us not be
like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.
v.7
(the unrighteous are
so in darkness) For those who
sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
v.8
(but we are different)
But since we belong to the day, let
us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the
hope of salvation as a helmet.
v.9
(we're appointed to receive
salvation) For God did not appoint
us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus
Christ.
v.10
(with Jesus dying to
save us) He died for us so that,
whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
v.11
(so keep on encouraging
one another) Therefore encourage
one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
v.12-28
Final instructions
[Passage
Synopsis: Bless and be at peace with your leaders, live
in harmony with one another, be open to the Spirit and be ready
when Jesus returns.]
v.12
(bless your leaders)
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters,
to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you
in the Lord and who admonish you.
v.13
(esteem them and live
at peace with them) Hold them
in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace
with each other.
v.14
(warn, encourage, help
and be patient with one another) And
we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and
disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient
with everyone.
v.15
(forgive and be at peace
seeking the good of one another) Make
sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive
to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
v.16-18
(rejoice, pray and give
thanks) Rejoice always, pray
continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's
will for you in Christ Jesus.
v.19
(don't put out the fire
of the Spirit) Do not quench
the Spirit.
v.20,21
(test and receive right
prophecies, holding what is good, rejecting what is bad)
Do not treat prophecies with contempt
but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind
of evil.
v.23
(may God purify you so
you will be blameless at Jesus' coming) May
God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.
May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
v.24
(God is faithful and
keep you) The one who calls
you is faithful, and he will do it.
v.25
(pray for us) Brothers
and sisters, pray for us.
v.26
(greet each other in
love) Greet all God's people
with a holy kiss.
v.27
(read this to all the
church) I charge you before
the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
v.28
(and may you know Christ's
grace) The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with you.