Frameworks:
1 Thessalonians 5
For
preliminaries see chapter 1
[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
v.12-28
Final miscellaneous instructions
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
(be 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.