I Thessalonians 5, Living Quiet Contented Lives (NASB)

Paul has just reassured the Thessalonians that they have an eternal life, to be revealed when the Messiah returns in dramatic power.  Now he elaborates on that return.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, Like a thief in the night

Now as to the periods and times, brothers and sisters, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 

This unexpected return will be both dramatic and (for some) catastrophic.  This subject will appear again in Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians and is a main subject of the book of Revelations which we will look at in December!  

1 Thessalonians 5:4-5, Sons of light

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 

Despite the destruction mentioned earlier, for the Christian, the return of their Messiah is not something to be feared.  The Christian should be in the light, alert and aware, always ready for the Messiah and his kingdom.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-11, Alert, self-controlled

so then, let’s not sleep as others do, but let’s be alert and sober. 

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let’s be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.

Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.

As we wait (across the centuries!) for that Day of the Lord, we are reminded that until the Messiah's reign is completed, we are to live lives that represent that kingdom. These lives are "alert and self-controlled".  Paul then begins a metaphor that he expands in his letter to the Ephesians: the Christian has some spiritual armor that others do not have.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-15, Value leaders, encourage the fainthearted

But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to recognize those who diligently labor among you and are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you instruction, and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 

We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 

See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek what is good for one another and for all people. 

We hobbits, here in the Shire, are to work steadily, happily, content and in peace with each other.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22, Be joyful, pray... 

Rejoice always, 

pray without ceasing, 

in everything give thanks; 

for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 

Do not quench the Spirit, 

do not utterly reject prophecies, 

but examine everything;

hold firmly to that which is good, 

abstain from every form of evil.

As Paul ends his letter, he has a list of short instructions, simple sentences that a medieval scribe separated out as short verses.  They read almost like poetry, in their brevity and simplicity.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, A blessing

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it.

As Paul writes he says out loud a prayer for the Thessalonians, writing his prayer down.  He prays for the full spirit, soul and body of his readers and promises them that Jesus is ready to answer this prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:25-28, Final admonitions

Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. I put you under oath by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Paul makes a few more finals comments as he winds down his letter: "Pray, Kiss... and pass this on." The letter ends with final "God be with ye"; in English this was long ago shortened to "Goodbye."