1 Thessalonians 5

1 Thessalonians · Chapter 5

1 Thessalonians 5:3

1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.16Rejoice evermore.17Pray without ceasing.18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.19Quench not the Spirit.20Despise not prophesyings.21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.22Abstain from all appearance of evil.23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.25Brethren, pray for us.26Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11The day of the Lord

About 1 Thessalonians 5"The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night," but believers are "children of light," so they are to "watch and be sober," wearing "the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation," for "God hath not appointed us to wrath." Paul asks them to "know them which labour among you" and "esteem them very highly in love," and to support the weak and be patient with all. He closes with short commands, to rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing and "in every thing give thanks," and a prayer that God would "sanctify you wholly." 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Thessalonians 5:51 Thessalonians 5:61 Thessalonians 5:81 Thessalonians 5:91 Thessalonians 5:121 Thessalonians 5:141 Thessalonians 5:161 Thessalonians 5:171 Thessalonians 5:181 Thessalonians 5:231 Thessalonians overview1 Thessalonians 5:13

Who, where and when in this chapter

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
whenὅτανhotanG3752
when(-ever)

ὅταν (hotan) ὅταν (for ὅτ᾽ ἄν = ὅτε ἄν), temporal particle, with a conditional sense, usually of things expected to occur in an indefinite future; 1. prop., whenever; (a) (a) with subjc. praes.: Mat.6:2, 5 Mrk.14:7, Luk.11:36, Jhn.7:27, Act.23:35, 1Co.3:4, al.; ἕως τ. ἡμέρας ἐκείνης, ὅ., Mat.26:29, Mrk.14:25; before τότε, 1Th.5:3; (b) with subjc. aor. (M, Pr., 185): Mat.5:11, Mrk.4:15, Luk.6:22, Jhn.2:10 8:28 (Field, Notes, 94), 10:4, al. …

forγὰρgarG1063
for

γάρ (gar) γάρ, co-ordinating particle, contr. of γε ἄρα, verily then, hence, in truth, indeed, yea, then, why, and when giving a reason or explanation, for, the usage in NT being in general accord with that of cl.; 1. explicative and epexegetic: Mat.4:18 19:12, Mrk.1:16 5:42 16:4, Luk.11:3o, Rom.7:1, 1Co.16:5, al. 2. Conclusive, in questions, answers and exclamations: Mat.9:5 27:23, Luk.9:25 22:27, Jhn.9:30, Act.8:31 16:37 19:35, Rom.15:26, 1Co.9:10, Php.1:18 (Ellic., in l.), 1Th.2:20, al. …

they may say;λέγωσιν·legōsinG3004G
to say

λέγω (legō) λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] 1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. 2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of …

PeaceεἰρήνηeirēnēG1515
peace

εἰρήνη (eirēnē) εἰρήνη, -ης, ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for שָׁלוֹם ;] peace; 1. of public peace, freedom from war: Luk.14:32, Act.12:20 24:2; of the church, Ac 9:31. 2. Of peace between persons, concord, agreement : Mat.10:34, Luk.12:51, Rom.14:17, 1Co.7:15, Gal.5:22, Jas.3:18; ζητεῖν εἰ., 1Pe.3:11; διώκειν, 2Ti.2:22; ib. before μετὰ πάντων, Heb.12:14; by meton., of him who brings peace, Eph.2:14. …

andκαὶkaiG2532
and

καί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. …

security,ἀσφάλεια,asphaleiaG0803
security

ἀσφάλεια (asphaleia) ἀσφάλεια, -ας, ἡ (ἀσφαλής), [in LXX for בָּטַח, etc. ;] 1. firmness. 2. certainty: Luk.1:4. 3. security: Act.5:23, 1Th.5:3. (In π. it is used as a law-term, proof, security; see MM, see word; M, Th., l.with)† (AS)

thenτότεtoteG5119
then

τότε (tote) τότε, demonstr. adv. of time, correlat. of ὅτε, then, at that time; (a) of concurrent events: Mat.2:17 3:5 and freq., Rom.6:21; before ptcp., Mat.2:16, Gal.4:8; opposite to νῦν, Gal.4:29, Heb.12:26; ὁ τ. κόσμος, 2Pe.3:6; (b) of consequent events, then, thereupon: Mat.2:7 3:5 4:1 and freq., Luk.11:26; τ. οὖν, Jhn.11:14 19:1, 16 20:8; εὐθέως τ., Act.17:14; ὅτε . . . τ., Mat.13:26 21:1, Jhn.12:16; ἀπὸ τ., Mat.4:17 16:21 26:16, Luk.16:16; …

suddenlyαἰφνίδιοςaiphnidiosG0160
sudden

αἰφνίδιος (aiphnidios) αἰφνίδιος (in Lk, l.with, ἐφν- WH; see M, Pr., 35), -ον (αἴφνης = ἄφνως, suddenly), [in LXX: Wis.17:15, 2Ma.14:17, 3Ma.3:24 * ;] sudden, unexpected: Luk.21:34, 1Th.5:3.† (AS)

upon themαὐτοῖςautoisG0846
it/s/he

αὐτός (autos) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

comesἐφίσταταιephistataiG2186
to approach

ἐφίστημι (ephistēmi) ἐφ-ίστημι [in LXX for נָצַב ni., שִׁית, נָתַן, etc. ;] 1. causal in pres., impf., fut., 1 aor., to set upon or by, set up, etc. (Æsch., Hdt., Arist., al). 2. Intrans. in mid, and in pf. and 2 aor. act.; (a) to stand upon; (b) to be set over; …

destructionὄλεθροςolethrosG3639
destructive

ὄλεθρος (olethros) ὄλεθρος, -ον (ὄλλυμι, to destroy), [in LXX for שֹׁד. שָׁדַד, etc. ;] ruin, destruction, death: 1Th.5:3, 1Ti.6:9; αἰώνιος, 2Th.1:9 (L, txt., ὀλέθριος, which see); εἰς ὄ. τῆς σαρκός, for physical discipline, to destroy carnal lusts, 1Co.5:5.† (AS)

asὥσπερhōsperG5618
just as

ὥσπερ (hōsper) ὥσ-περ adv., just as, even as: Mat.6:2 20:28, Act.3:17, 1Co.8:5, 1Th.5:3 al.; in protasis, with οὕτως (καί) in apodosis: Mat.12:40, Luk.17:24, Jhn.5:21, Rom.5:19, Gal.4:29, Jas.2:26, al (AS)

labor painsὠδὶνōdinG5604
labor

ὠδίν (ōdin) ὠδίν (late form of ὠδίς), -ῖνος, ἡ [in LXX for חֵבֶל חֶבֶל (and wrongly for חֶבֶל חֶבֶל, cf. Ac, l.with), חִיל, etc. ;] a birth pang, travail pain: 1Th.5:3; metaphorically, of extreme suffering, Mat.24:8, Mrk.13:8; ὠδῖνες θανάτου (Psa.18:4 מָוֶת חֶבֶל), Act.2:24.† (AS)

inἐνenG1722
in/on/among

ἐν (en) ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; af …

womb [pregnancy]γαστρὶgastriG1064
belly

γαστήρ (gastēr) γαστήρͅ, -τρός, ἡ, [in LXX for בֶּטֶן, ἐν γ. ἔχειν for הרה, ἐν γ. λαμβάνειν for חרה ;] 1. the belly: metaphorically, a glutton, Tit.1:12. 2. the womb: ἐν γ. ἔχειν, to be with child, Mat.1:18, 23" (LXX) 24:19, Mrk.13:17, Luk.21:23, 1Th.5:3, Rev.12:2; εν γ. συλλαμβ., to conceive, Luk.1:31. † (AS)

having,ἐχούσῃ,echousēG2192
to have/be

ἔχω (echō) ἔχω, [in LXX for אָצֵל (ἐχόμενος), יֵשׁ,בַּעַל, etc., 59 words in all ;] (on the Aktionsart of the various tenses, see M, Pr., 110, 145, 150, 183), to have, as in cl., in various senses and constructions. I. Trans.; 1. 1. to have, hold, hold fast, etc.; (a) to hold, as, in the hand: Rev.5:8 14:6, al.; ἐν τ. χειρί, Rev.1:16 10:2, al.; (b) of arms and clothing, = φέρω, φορέω, to bear, wear: Mat.3:4 22:12, al.; so frequently present ptcp. (LS, see word, A, I, 6; Bl., 74, 2), Mrk.11:13, Jhn.18:10, Rev.9:17, al.; (with) of a woman, ἐν γαστρὶ ἔ, to be with child: Mrk.13:17, Rom.9:10; …

andκαὶkaiG2532
and

καί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. …

certainlyοὐouG3756
no

οὐ (ou) οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); 1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. …

notμὴmēG3361
not

μή (mē) μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] I. As a neg. adv., not; 1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. 2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. …

shall they escape.ἐκφύγωσιν.¶ekphugōsinG1628
to escape

ἐκφεύγω (ekpheugō) ἐκ-φεύγω [in LXX for נוּס, etc. ;] to flee away, escape: absol., Act.16:27, 1Th.5:3, Heb.2:3; before ἐκ, Act.19:10; with accusative of person(s), Heb.12:25; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.21:36, Rom.2:3; τ. χεῖρας αὐτοῦ, 2Co.11:33.† (AS)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.