Concerning times and seasons, brothers, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. 3 When people are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. 5 For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. 6 Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober. 7 Those who sleep go to sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet that is hope for salvation. 9 For God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live together with him. 11 Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do.
Paul addressed the question of whether the Parousia was imminent, i.e., when would the Lord return? Neither the general time nor the exact date can be known (Mt. 24:36-44). In OT prophetic writings, “Day of the Lord (v. 2) was used to describe the Lord’s coming in power and destroying his enemies in a final battle (Amos 5:18; Is. 13:6). Since Jesus is Lord (Rom. 10:9) and has already come, Paul is referring to Christ’s second coming in glory at the end of time (1 Cor. 1:8; Phil. 1:6).
This first letter to the Thessalonians was written around 50 AD. There was peace throughout the Mediterranean world at that time (Pax Romana c. 27 BC to c. 180 AD) and Paul warned that although no one can escape the Parousia, one can be prepared for it whenever it comes. A false sense of security that may have resulted from the Roman slogan “Peace and Security (v. 3)” could lead to sudden disaster. Those who were following the teachings of Jesus (who walked in the light) should not be complacent but should be vigilant and sober. They must stay awake (Mt. 24:42)
In the battle for their salvation, they must rely on the three Theological virtues and, like warriors, put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of hope. Believers are destined for salvation (not predestined) which was earned through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Salvation is assured for those who fight “a good fight” (1 Tim. 1:18) whether they have already fallen asleep or are alive. If we mutually encourage each other, we will strengthen the Church.
Almighty God, grant us the fortitude to remain vigilant and sober and to fight for our salvation. Shower us with your sanctifying grace so that we might pass from our former way of life to a new life in Christ and be made ready for the glory of your heavenly Kingdom. This we pray through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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