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Commentary on the First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapter 5: 

Paul, Silvannus, and Timothy continue to address the community’s concerns about resurrection and Jesus’ final coming (vs. 1-10) with the overarching message that while God did not reveal to us the specific time of this event, God’s plan of salvation is trustworthy and effective. As a result, we can live confidently, building one another up until that day comes (vs. 11). Paul and his co-authors conclude the letter in a style similar to many other New Testament letters. First, they offer a list of short, practical imperative verbs meant to stick in the hearers’ (vs. 27)  minds and remind them of how to live the Chrsitian life (vs. 14-22). Then, they close with a prayer, a reminder that as disciples we have been called together in God’s family, and, most importantly, God’s power is at work in us! (vs. 24)

The First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapter 5:

5 But as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 When people say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But, since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 

Final Exhortations, Greetings, and Benediction

12 But we beg you, brethren, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.  14 And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit, 20 do not despise prophesying, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good, 22 abstain from every form of evil. 
23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 
25 Brethren, pray for us. 
26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 
27 I adjure you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brethren. 
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 

*Daily Lectio Divina Question:

Re-read verses 12-23 of Paul's encouraging list of orders to the Church and his prayer of blessing. Lord, help me rest in the words that strike my heart the most from this joyful Passage.

Biblical Commentary provided by the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan. Join a Catholic Biblical School of Michigan class this September at Holy Family in Grand Blanc or online.

Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2006).
Permission to use the RSV-2CE given for Bishop's Year of the Bible by Ignatius Press. Many thanks to Ignatius for this.
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