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Bible Commentaries
1 Thessalonians 5

Luscombe's Commentary on Selected Books of the NTLuscombe's NT Commentary

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Verses 1-11

D. The certainty of Christ's coming, 5:1-11

1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3 For 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.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

discussion questions

1A. What are the signs of Christ's second coming? __

1B. Who knows when this event will take place? _

1C. Who does not know when Jesus is coming again? __________

2A. In what way is the coming of Christ like a thief in the night? ___

2B. Does this mean that he will NOT come in the daytime? _______

3A. Why do we fail to take the second coming seriously? ________

3B. How will the second coming be sudden "destruction"? _______

3C. List all who will escape the coming of Christ. _

4A. What is the darkness mentioned here? _____

4B. How can Christians avoid being taken by surprise at the second coming? ___

5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6 Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober.

7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

discussion questions

5A. In what ways are Christians children of light?

5B. Explain the contrast between - night and day, darkness and light. _________

5C. How can you tell if one of the darkness or night? ___________

6A. What does "sleep" mean in this verse? _____

6B. Why are many Christians so indifferent to the world? ________

6C. In what ways should we watch for the coming of Christ? ______

6D. How does a "sober" Christian act? _________

7A. Why does evil like darkness and night? _____

8 But 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.

9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. comfort: or, exhort

discussion questions

8A. Why is a breastplate mentioned here? ______

8B. How will "faith and love" protect us? ________

8C. How does the helmet of hope help us? _____

9A. Unto what have we been appointed? _______

9B. Explain 2Pe_3:9 and 1Ti_2:4 . _____

10A. What do "wake or sleep" mean in verse 10?

11A. List some ways we can exhort one another.

11B. How can we build each other up? ________

Verses 12-15

V. General Exhortations, 5:12-22

A. Appeal for harmony among Christians, 5:12-15

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. [And] be at peace among yourselves.

discussion questions

12A. What does "beseech" mean? _

12B. Who are "over you"? ________

12C. What are the three terms used for this office? What do they mean?

Elder - ____

Bishop - __

Pastor - ___

12D. How do they admonish us? __

13A. How should we treat the men who serve the church in this office? ________

13B. Should we respect for the office even if we disagree with a decisionthey make? _____

13C. How can members of the local congregation help the elders and lighten the burden they carry? __

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all [men]. exhort: or, beseech unruly: or, disorderly

15 See that none render evil for evil unto any [man]; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all [men].

discussion questions

14A. List some ways a brother could be "unruly". _

14B. Why do you think some are so unruly? ____

14C. Who are feebleminded in the church? _____

14D. Does Paul refer to the physically weak or spiritually weak? ___

14E. How long must we be patient?

15A. Contrast the old law (eye for eye) with the command here. __

15B. To whom must we follow this advice? _____

15C. What is included in the word "evil" in this passage? ________

Verses 16-22

B. Appeal for steadfastness, 5:16-22

16 Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesyings.

21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

discussion questions

16A. When should Christians be happy? _______

16B. Does this verse forbid us to ever be sad? __

17A. When is it NOT appropriate to pray? ______

18A. For what should be give thanks? _________

18B. Is there anything for we should not be thankful? ___________

19A. How do Christians "quench" the Spirit? ____

20A. Does this verse apply to us today? ________

20B. Why do people "despise" the Bible? _______

21A. Is giving "book, chapter and verse" and requiring Biblical authority for all that is done in religion important? _____

22A. What does "abstain" mean? __

22B. What is included in "appearance of evil"? __

Verses 23-28

VI. Conclusion, 5:23-28

23 And 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.

24 Faithful [is] he that calleth you, who also will do [it].

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. charge: or, adjure

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen.

discussion questions

23A. What are the three parts of man? ________

24A. Can you always depend on men, friends or family? _________

24B. Can you always depend on God to do what he says? _______

25A. Should Christians ask for the prayers of their brethren? _____

25B. Why don't we do this more often? ________

26A. What does "salute" mean in this verse? ____

26B. Is the "holy kiss" a binding command? _________ Why or why not? ______

27A. Is this a private letter or is it public? _______

27B. Should this letter be read aloud to the church? _

28A. What does "Amen" mean? ___

28B. Can we say "Amen" at times other than the close of a prayer?

Bibliographical Information
Luscombe, Manly. "Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5". Luscombe's Commentary on Selected Books of the NT. https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/mlc/1-thessalonians-5.html. 2021.
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