1 Thessalonians 5:6

Contextual Overview

⁶So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.⁶ So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. ⁶ so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.⁶so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be awake and sober. ⁶Don't be like those who will be surprised by the Lord's return. Be ready, with both feet in the stirrups and ready to ride. ⁶ So then, let us not take our rest as the others do, but let us be self-controlled and awake. ⁶ So then do not let us sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober; ⁶ So then, we must not sleep, like the rest, but we must stay awake and be serious. ⁶ so then let's not sleep, as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober. ⁶ Therefore let us not sleep as the others, but let us awake and keep awake.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

let us not: Proverbs 19:15, Isaiah 56:10, Jonah 1:6, Matthew 13:25, Matthew 25:5, Mark 14:37, Luke 22:46, Romans 13:11-14, 1 Corinthians 15:34, Ephesians 5:14

watch: Matthew 24:42, Matthew 25:13, Matthew 26:38, Matthew 26:40, Matthew 26:41, Mark 13:34, Mark 13:35, Mark 13:37, Mark 14:38, Luke 12:37, Luke 12:39, Luke 21:36, Luke 22:46, Acts 20:31, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 4:2, 2 Timothy 4:5, 1 Peter 4:7, Revelation 3:2, Revelation 16:15

sober: 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Philippians 4:5, 1 Timothy 2:9, 1 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 3:11, Titus 2:6, Titus 2:12, 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Peter 5:8

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 11:2 - arose from Proverbs 24:33 - General Song of Solomon 3:8 - because Isaiah 2:5 - come ye Isaiah 5:11 - rise Isaiah 49:9 - to them Jeremiah 23:22 - then Matthew 5:16 - your light Matthew 26:43 - for Mark 13:36 - he find Luke 4:18 - and Luke 12:40 - General Luke 21:34 - your hearts Titus 2:2 - sober Revelation 3:3 - I will

Cross-References

Genesis 4:26
Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD .

Genesis 4:26
Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord .

Genesis 4:26
And to Seth, to him also, a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of Yahweh.

Genesis 4:26
To Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the LORD.

Genesis 4:26
And vnto the same Seth also there was borne a sonne, and he called his name Enos: then began men to make inuocation in the name of the Lorde.

Genesis 4:26
Seth also had a son. He named him Enosh. At that time people began to pray to the Lord .

Genesis 4:26
To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time men began to call upon the name of the LORD.

Genesis 4:26
But also a sone was borun to Seth, which sone he clepide Enos; this Enos bigan to clepe inwardli the name of the Lord.

Genesis 4:26
And to Seth, to him also there was borne a sonne, and he called his name Enos: then began men to call vpon the Name of the LORD.

Genesis 4:26
And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord .

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Therefore let us not sleep as do others.... As the rest of the Gentiles, as unconverted persons, who are in a state of darkness, and are children of the night; let us not act that part they do, or be like them; which professors of religion too much are, when they indulge themselves in carnal lusts and pleasures, and are careless and thoughtless about the coming of the day of the Lord; and get into a stupid, drowsy, and slumbering frame of spirit; when grace lies dormant as if it was not, and they grow backward to, and slothful in the discharge of duty, and content themselves with the bare externals of religion; and become lukewarm and indifferent with respect to the truths and ordinance of the Gospel, the cause of God, the interest of religion, and glory of Christ; and are unconcerned about sins of omission or commission: and are willing to continue in such a position, being displeased at every admonition and exhortation given them to awake; but this is very unbecoming children of the light, and of the day:

but let us watch; over ourselves, our hearts, thoughts, affections, words and actions; and over others, our fellow Christians, that they give not into bad principles and evil practices; and against sin, and all appearance of it; against the temptations of Satan, the snares of the world, and the errors of wicked men, who lie in wait to deceive; and in the word and ordinances, and particularly in prayer, both unto it, in it, and after it; and for the second coming of Christ, with faith, affection, and patience; and the rather, because of the uncertainty of the time of it;

and be sober; not only in body, abstaining from excessive eating and drinking, using this world, and the good things of it, so as not to abuse them, or ourselves with them; but also in mind, that the heart be overcharged with the cares of this world; for men may be inebriated with the world, as well as with wine; and the one is as prejudicial to the soul as the other is to the body; for an immoderate care for, and pursuit after the world, chokes the word, makes it unfruitful, and runs persons into divers snares and temptations, and hurtful lusts. The Arabic version renders it, "let us repent"; and the Ethiopic version, "let us understand"; as intending the sobriety of the mind, repentance being an after thought of the mind, a serious reflection on past actions with sorrow and concern; and thinking soberly, and not more highly than a man ought to think of himself, his gifts, his attainments and abilities, in opposition to pride, vanity, and self-conceit, is very becoming; and shows a true and well informed understanding and judgment, and that a man is really sober and himself.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Therefore let us no sleep, as do others - As the wicked world does; compare notes, Matthew 25:5.

But let us watch - That is, for the coming of the Lord. Let us regard it as an event which is certainly to occur, and which may occur at any moment; notes, Matthew 25:13.

And be sober - The word here used (νήφω nēphō) is rendered sober in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 5:8; and watch in 2 Timothy 4:5, and 1 Peter 4:7. It does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It properly means, to be temperate or abstinent, especially in respect to wine. Joseph. Jewish Wars, 5. 5, 7; Xenophon, Cyr. 7. 5, 20; and then it is used in a more general sense, as meaning to be sober-minded, watchful, circumspect. In this passage there is an allusion to the fact that persons not only sleep in the night, but that they are frequently drunken in the night also. The idea is, that the Lord Jesus, when he comes, will find the wicked sunk not only in carnal security, but in sinful indulgences, and that those who are Christians ought not only to be awake and to watch as in the day-time, but to be temperate. They ought to be like persons engaged in the sober, honest, and appropriate employments of the day, and not like those who waste their days in sleep, and their nights in revelry.

A man who expects soon to see the Son of God coming to judgment, ought to be a sober man. No one would wish to be summoned from a scene of dissipation to his bar. And who would wish to be called there from the ball-room; from the theater; from the scene of brilliant worldly amusemet? The most frivolous votary of the world; the most accomplished and flattered and joyous patron of the ball-room; the most richly-dressed and admired daughter of vanity, would tremble at the thought of being summoned from those brilliant halls, where pleasure is now found, to the judgment bar. They would wish to have at least a little time that they might prepare for so solemn a scene. But if so, as this event may at any moment occur, why should they not be habitually sober-minded? Why should they not aim to be always in that state of mind which they know would be appropriate to meet him? Especially should Christians live with such vigilance and soberness as to be always prepared to meet the Son of God. What Christian can think it appropriate for him to go up to meet his Saviour from the theater, the ballroom, or the brilliant worldly party? A Christian ought always so to live that the coming of the Son of God in the clouds of heaven would not excite the least alarm.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 6. Let us not sleep, as do others — Let us who are of the day-who believe the Gospel and belong to Christ, not give way to a careless, unconcerned state of mind, like to the Gentiles and sinners in general, who are stupified and blinded by sin, so that they neither think nor feel; but live in time as if it were eternity; or rather, live as if there were no eternity, no future state of existence, rewards, or punishments.

Let us watch — Be always on the alert; and be sober, making a moderate use of all things.