1 Thessalonians 5:1–5:11

1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 1. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 1. Porro de temporibus et articulis temporum non opus habetis, ut vobis scribatur. 2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 2. Ipsi enim optime scitis, quod dies Domini tanquam fur in nocte sic veniet. 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. 3. Quando enim dixerint, Pax et securitas, tunc repentinus ipsis superveniet interitus, quasi dolor partus mulieri praegnanti, nec effugient. 4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 4. Vos autem, fratres, non estis in tenebris, ut dies ille vos quasi fur opprimat. 5. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 5. Omnes vos filii lucis estis, et filii diei: non sumus noctis, neque tenebrarum. 1 But as to times. He now, in the third place, calls them back from a curious and unprofitable inquiry as to times, but in the mean time admonishes them to be constantly in a state of preparation for receiving Christ. [589] He speaks, however, by way of anticipation, saying, that they have no need that he should write as to those things which the curious desire to know. For it is an evidence of excessive incredulity not to believe what the Lord foretells, unless he marks out the day by certain circumstances, and as it were points it out with the finger. As, therefore, those waver between doubtful opinions who require that moments of time should be marked out for them, as if they would draw a conjecture [590] from some plausible demonstration, he accordingly says that discussions of this nature are not necessary for the pious. There is also another reason -- that believers do not desire to know more than they are permitted to learn in God's school. Now Christ designed that the day of his coming should be hid from us, that, being in suspense, we might be as it were upon watch. 2 Ye know perfectly. He places exact knowledge in contrast with an anxious desire of investigation. But what is it that he says the Thessalonians know accurately? [591] It is, that the day of Christ will come suddenly and unexpectedly, so as to take unbelievers by surprise, as a thief does those that are asleep. This, however, is opposed to evident tokens, which might portend afar off his coming to the world. Hence it were foolish to wish to determine the time precisely from presages or prodigies. 3 For when they shall say. Here we have an explanation of the similitude, the day of the Lord will be like a thief in the night. Why so? because it will come suddenly to unbelievers, when not looked for, so that it will take them by surprise, as though they were asleep. But whence comes that sleep? Assuredly from deep contempt of God. The prophets frequently reprove the wicked on account of this supine negligence, and assuredly they await in a spirit of carelessness not merely that last judgment, but also such as are of daily occurrence. Though the Lord threatens destruction, [592] they do not hesitate to promise themselves peace and every kind of prosperity. And the reason why they fall into this destructive indolence [593] is, because they do not see those things immediately accomplished, which the Lord declares will take place, for they reckon that to be fabulous that does not immediately present itself before their eyes. For this reason the Lord, in order that he may avenge this carelessness, which is full of obstinacy, comes all on a sudden, and contrary to the expectation of all, precipitates the wicked from the summit of felicity. He sometimes furnishes tokens of this nature of a sudden advent, but that will be the principal one, when Christ will come down to judge the world, as he himself testifies, ( Matthew 24:37 ) comparing that time to the age of Noe, inasmuch as all will give way to excess, as if in the profoundest repose. As the pains of child-bearing. Here we have a most apt similitude, inasmuch as there is no evil that seizes more suddenly, and that presses more keenly and more violently on the very first attack; besides this, a woman that is with child carries in her womb occasion of grief without feeling it, until she is seized amidst feasting and laughter, or in the midst of sleep. 4 But ye, brethren. He now admonishes them as to what is the duty of believers, that they look forward in hope to that day, though it be remote. And this is what is intended in the metaphor of day and light. The coming of Christ will take by surprise those that are carelessly giving way to indulgence, because, being enveloped in darkness, they see nothing, for no darkness is more dense than ignorance of God. We, on the other hand, on whom Christ has shone by the faith of his gospel, differ much from them, for that saying of Isaiah is truly accomplished in us, that while darkness covers the earth, the Lord arises upon us, and his glory is seen in us. ( Isaiah 60:2 ) He admonishes us, therefore, that it were an unseemly thing that we should be caught by Christ asleep, as it were, or seeing nothing, while the full blaze of light is shining forth upon us. He calls them children of light, in accordance with the Hebrew idiom, as meaning -- furnished with light; as also children of the day, meaning -- those who enjoy the light of day. [594] And this he again confirms, when he says that we are not of the night nor of darkness, because the Lord has rescued us from it. For it is as though he had said, that we have not been enlightened by the Lord with a view to our walking in darkness. Footnotes: [589] "Quand il viendra en iugement;" -- "When he will come to judgment." [590] "De ce qu'ils en doyuent croire;" -- "Of what they must believe." [591] "Plenement et certainement;" -- "Fully and certainly." [592] "Leur denonce ruine et confusion;" -- "Threatens them with ruin and confusion." [593] "Ceste paresse tant dangereuse et mortelle;" -- "This indolence so dangerous and deadly." [594] "It is day' with them. It is not only day' round about them, (so it is wherever the gospel is afforded to men,) but God hath made it day' within." --Howe's Works, (Lond. 1822,) vol. 6, p. 294. -- Ed.

But {1} of the times and the {a} seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (1) The day that God has appointed for this judgment we do not know. But this is sure, that it will come upon men when they are not expecting it. (a) See Ac 1:7.

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. But of the times and the seasons — When Christ shall come to judgment, this is to be reckoned inter arcana imperii. See Trapp on " Matthew 24:36 " The times and the seasons God hath put in his own power, Acts 1:7 . This is a key that he keepeth under his own girdle. Let it suffice us to know that "this is the last hour," that "the ends of the world are come upon us, and that the Lord is at hand." "The time is short" (saith our apostle, 1 Corinthians 7:29 ), or rolled up, as a piece of cloth, only a little left at the end. Moses brake the tables 1582 years before the birth of Christ. Nou existimo, …, I do not think (saith holy Melancthon) that the time since the end of the Jewish polity shall be much longer than that was before the end thereof. Watch, therefore, and "be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless," 2 Peter 3:14 .

But of the times and the seasons, brethren,.... Of the coming of Christ, his "appointed time" and "his day", as the Ethiopic version renders it; of the resurrection of the dead in Christ first, and of the rapture of all the saints in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, things treated of in the preceding chapter: and which might excite a curiosity to know the times and seasons of them; as in what year they would come to pass; in what season of the year, whether winter or summer; in what month, and on what day of the month; and whether in the night season, or in the daytime; and in what hour, whether at midnight, cockcrowing, morning, or noonday: to repress which the apostle observes, ye have no need that I write unto you; to write to them concerning the things themselves was necessary and useful, to stir up and encourage their faith, hope, and expectation of them; to allay their grief for departed friends, and to comfort one another under the various trials and exercises of life; but to write to them about the time of these things would be trifling and unnecessary, would be an idle speculation, and an indulging a vain curiosity; and, besides, was impracticable: for of that day and hour knows no man; the times and seasons the Father hath put in his own power; for these things are equally true of Christ's second coming, as of the kingdom of Christ coming with power and glory, and of the destruction of Jerusalem, Matthew 24:36 . The Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions read, "ye have no need that we write unto you"; the reason follows;

It is needless or useless to ask about the particular time of Christ's coming. Christ did not reveal this to the apostles. There are times and seasons for us to work in, and these are our duty and interest to know and observe; but as to the time when we must give up our account, we know it not, nor is it needful that we should. The coming of Christ will be a great surprise to men. Our Lord himself said so. As the hour of death is the same to each person that the judgment will be to mankind in general, so the same remarks answer for both. Christ's coming will be terrible to the ungodly. Their destruction will overtake them while they dream of happiness, and please themselves with vain amusements. There will be no means to escape the terror or the punishment of that day. This day will be a happy day to the righteous. They are not in darkness; they are the children of the light. It is the happy condition of all true Christians. But how many are speaking peace and safety to themselves, over whose heads utter destruction is hovering! Let us endeavour to awaken ourselves and each other, and guard against our spiritual enemies.

CHAPTER 5 1Th 5:1-28. The Suddenness of Christ's Coming a Motive for Watchfulness; Various Precepts: Prayer for Their Being Found Blameless, Body, Soul, and Spirit, at Christ's Coming: Conclusion. 1. times—the general and indefinite term for chronological periods. seasons—the opportune times (Da 7:12; Ac 1:7). Time denotes quantity; season, quality. Seasons are parts of times. ye have no need—those who watch do not need to be told when the hour will come, for they are always ready [Bengel]. cometh—present: expressing its speedy and awful certainty. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 The apostle proceedeth to show that Christ’s coming will be sudden, exhorting Christians to watch and be sober, so as not to be taken by surprise. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 ,13 He beseecheth them to respect their spiritual guides, 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 and giveth, divers other precepts, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 concluding with a prayer and salutations. But when shall these things be? Might some say, as the disciples asked Christ, Matthew 24:3 ,36 Ac 1:6 . He tells them: It is not for you to know the times or the seasons; not that they knew them in particular already, but there was no need they should know them. It may be some among them were too curious to inquire. He doth not say they could not be known, as being put into God’s own power, as Acts 1:7 ; but, ye have no need that I write of them. The apostle, as in his preaching, so in his writing, had respect to what was most needful and profitable for the people: as when the disciples asked: Are there few that be saved? Christ answered them in that which was most needful to them, Luke 13:24 : and so doth the apostle here; instead of acquainting them with the times and seasons, he puts them upon watchfulness, that they might not be surprised, as in the following verses; and to improve the knowledge they had already, which was this, that Christ’s coming would be sudden.

But of the times and the seasons - See the notes, Acts 1:7 . The reference here is to the coming of the Lord Jesus, and to the various events connected with his advent; see the close of 1 Thessalonians 4 . Ye have no need that I write unto you - That is, they had received all the information on the particular point to which he refers, which it was necessary they should have. He seems to refer particularly to the suddenness of his coming. It is evident from this, as well as from other parts of this Epistle, that this had been, from some cause, a prominent topic which he had dwelt on when he was with them; see the notes on 1 Thessalonians 1:10 .