1 Thessalonians 5

The Day of the Lord

1 But concerning a the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that b the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then c sudden destruction comes upon them, d as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 e But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all f sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 g Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but h let us watch and be 1 sober. 7 For i those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk j are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, k putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For l God did not appoint us to wrath, m but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 n who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore 2 comfort each other and 3 edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Final Instructions and Benediction

12 And we urge you, brethren, o to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and 4 admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. p Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we 5 exhort you, brethren, q warn those who are 6 unruly, r comfort the fainthearted, s uphold the weak, t be patient with all. 15 u See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always v pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 w Rejoice always, 17 x pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 y Do not quench the Spirit. 20 z Do not despise prophecies. 21 a Test all things; b hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may c the God of peace Himself d sanctify 7 you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body e be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is f faithful, who also will g do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

27 I charge you by the Lord that this 8 epistle be read to all the 9 holy brethren.

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

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 24:3
    Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?
  2. Cross References
    Luke 21:34
    But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.
    1 Thessalonians 5:4
    But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
    2 Peter 3:10
    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
    Revelation 3:3
    Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
    Revelation 16:15
    "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame."
  3. Cross References
    Isaiah 13:6 - 9
    Wail, for the day of the LORD is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty.
  4. Cross References
    Hosea 13:13
    The sorrows of a woman in childbirth shall come upon him. He is an unwise son, For he should not stay long where children are born.
  5. Cross References
    Acts 26:18
    'to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'
    Romans 13:12
    The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
    Ephesians 5:8
    For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
    1 John 2:8
    Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.
  6. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:8
    For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 25:5
    But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
  8. Cross References
    Matthew 25:13
    Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
    Mark 13:35
    Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming - in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning -
    1 Peter 5:8
    Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
  9. Cross References
    Luke 21:34
    But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.
  10. Cross References
    Acts 2:15
    For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
    2 Peter 2:13
    And will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you.
  11. Cross References
    Isaiah 59:17
    For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak.
    Ephesians 6:14
    Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness.
  12. Cross References
    Romans 9:22
    What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction.
  13. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 2:13
    But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
  14. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:15
    And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
  15. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:18
    For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.
    1 Timothy 5:17
    Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
    Hebrews 13:7
    Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
    Hebrews 13:17
    Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
  16. Cross References
    Mark 9:50
    "Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."
  17. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 3:6
    But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
    2 Thessalonians 3:7
    For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you.
    2 Thessalonians 3:11
    For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
  18. Cross References
    Hebrews 12:12
    Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.
  19. Cross References
    Romans 14:1
    Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.
    Romans 15:1
    We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
    1 Corinthians 8:7
    However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
  20. Cross References
    Galatians 5:22
    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
  21. Cross References
    Leviticus 19:18
    You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
  22. Cross References
    Romans 12:9
    Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
    Galatians 6:10
    Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
    1 Thessalonians 5:21
    Test all things; hold fast what is good.
  23. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 6:10
    As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
  24. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:18
    Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints -
  25. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:30
    And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
  26. Cross References
    Acts 13:1
    Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
    1 Corinthians 14:1
    Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
    1 Corinthians 14:31
    For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.
  27. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:29
    Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
    1 John 4:1
    Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
  28. Cross References
    Philippians 4:8
    Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.
  29. Cross References
    Philippians 4:9
    The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
  30. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 3:13
    So that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
  31. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:8
    Who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    1 Corinthians 1:9
    God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
  32. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 10:13
    No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
    2 Thessalonians 3:3
    But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
  33. Cross References
    Philippians 1:6
    Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Previous Book Next Book