I Thessalonians 5:1-28

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

• I Thessalonians 5:1 - Example of paralipsis.

• I Thessalonians 5:2 – The day of the Lord will be unexpected.

• I Thessalonians 5:3 – Sudden destruction will come like labor pains upon a woman.

• I Thessalonians 5:6, 7, 10 – Different uses of the word “sleep.”

  • I Thessalonians 5:6 – Sleep = spiritual diligence

  • I Thessalonians 5:7 – Sleep = physical sleep

  • I Thessalonians 5:10 – Sleep = physical death

  • Compare II Corinthians 5:21, where sin is used two different ways.

• This should encourage us. We do not fear death – we are looking forward to better things!

I Thessalonians 5:12-13 – Appreciate those who diligently labor among you.

• Elders are the ones that have “charge over” a church. Compare I Timothy 3:5; I Peter 5:1-2; Hebrews 13:17

• Acts 14:1, 6, 21, 23 – Elders were appointed relatively quickly here.

• Brethren are to appreciate their elders.

I Thessalonians 5:14 – We urge you, brethren

• “admonish the unruly”

• “encourage the fainthearted”

• “help the week”

• “be patient with everyone”

I Thessalonians 5:15-28 – Various instructions

• I Thessalonians 5:19-22 – “Don’t quench the Spirit.” Compare I John 4:1. There were false prophets in the world. It’s possible people were getting frustrated and refusing to listen to anyone, whether they were true prophets or not. Acts 7:51-52

• I Thessalonians 5:26 – The “holy kiss.” Kissing as a greeting was a common custom of the day. Romans 16:16. Paul was regulating a custom that was already in use, encouraging them to keep it holy.