1 Thessalonians 5 16. The Bible is online. Paul comes to Macedonia

1. DAY OF THE LORD (5: 1-3)

Paul is considering a new aspect of the Lord's forthcoming appearance. Not only does he attract the attention of the readers to the admiration of the Church, but also to what follows, that is, to a longer period of history, called the Lord's Day! These verses emphasize the unpredictability of its onset.

1 Thess. 5: 1. Paul's tone remains gentle; he again calls the Thessalonians brothers. About the times and periods in Greek it sounds like “about the centuries” (kronoon) and “events” (kairoon) - it is implied “preceding the day of the Lord.” Paul did not need to write about this in as much detail as about the admiration of the Church, since he had previously explained to the Thessalonians regarding the day of the Lord.

1 Thess. 5: 2. The day of the Lord is a certain period of time in the future when God will deal with the affairs of the world more directly than it has ever been since the days of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. It is clear that the events taking place at that time will be dramatic. The Old Testament prophets repeatedly mention this time (for example, Isa. 13: 9-11; Joel. 2: 28-32; Sof. 1: 14-18; 3: 14-15). Judging by these and other Old Testament texts, on the day of the Lord, along with the judgments, there will be blessings. It will begin immediately after the admiration of the Church, and end with the end of the Millennium. This topic is most prophetically and fully revealed in the book of Revelation, in chapters 6-19.

This period of earthly history will come completely abruptly - just as a thief suddenly appears in his house for a sleeping master (Matt. 24: 43-44; Luke 12: 39-40). But one should not look for any special meaning behind the word at night. The whole point is the unexpected appearance of the Lord, which can happen both at night and during the day. Moreover, in any case, one half of the globe will have night at that moment, and the other day.

1 Thess. 5: 3. It will begin when the world is relatively calm. Peace will be established as a result of the signing of some kind of international agreement for a period of seven years, predicted in the book of Daniel (9:27).

It is noteworthy that Paul does not include himself and his readers among those who will see the day of the Lord (as he did when describing the admiration of the Church - 4: 15,17).

They obviously belong to those who remain on earth after the rapture, i.e., to non-Christians. In their ignorance, they will rely on peace and security when their perniciousness suddenly befalls them. By this word (the Greek word "oletros") is meant not complete destruction, but the collapse of human "peace and security" as a result of the outpouring of God's wrath on earth in a period that will be called the "great tribulation." The "destruction" will come suddenly.

Comparison with birth pangs presupposes both the unpredictability of the beginning of these events and their agonizing character for everyone who will be their witness and participant (compare Matthew 24: 7-8 and Mark 13: 8). The accumulated wrath of God will suddenly pour out on the inhabitants of the earth. Although it is impossible to predict the beginning of all this, the signs that it is approaching are already discernible. The world will not be able to avoid what happens on the day of the Lord, just as a pregnant woman can’t avoid the pain of childbirth. In Greek, double negation is used here to enhance the sound of this will not be avoided.

2. ON READY FOR HIM (5: 4-11)

In this section, Paul examines the doctrine of the Lord's Day as applied to his readers.

1 Thess. 5: 4. They were not “in the dark” in the sense that they already knew from their teachers about future events. But the apostle had not only this in mind, but also the following: his readers were not among the people whom this day would take by surprise - for they lived not in darkness but in light (Col. 1:13).

Seeing the signs of the coming day of the Lord, Christians do not have to be surprised: they were told about his coming. And he will not suddenly overtake them also because before he comes, they will be in the presence of the Lord (1 Thess. 4: 13-18).

1 Thess. 5: 5. The habitat of Christians is different than non-Christians; the difference between these spheres is the same as between day and night (compare Eph. 5: 8). Christians are sons of the light, they are sons of the day. In other words, they are enlightened and, as already mentioned, live in the realm of light, heat and spiritual growth. In the second part of the verse, Paul says, so that his next appeal might be more convincing; being addressed only to the Thessalonians, "bypassing" the apostle himself, he, perhaps, would not have been apprehended by them with the same readiness.

1 Thess. 5: 6. Here Paul calls on his readers to behave according to their "enlightenment" and to be prepared for the fact that the day of the Lord can come at any moment. This appeal logically follows from what the apostle said above. And he is the duty of Christians to heed. They cannot be indifferent to the reality of the Lord's return; they should not sleep (i.e., be in a state of spiritual insensibility, lethargy).

This is the lot of the unsaved, others named here. Believers, on the contrary, should be vigilant and in this sense “sober up” - in anticipation of the coming of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1: 7; Tit. 2:13; Heb. 9:28; 2-Pet. 3:12 ); in the light of great events to come, their whole life should go on under the relentless self-control.

1 Thess. 5: 7. Unbelievers are blind and deaf to spiritual reality. They sleep and therefore cannot control themselves, but are subject to the influence of external forces - like drunk (reveling), who are also not able to react to what is happening as they should. And this is the "normal state" of those who are in the field

1 Thess. 5: 8. In accordance with the mentioned state of “sobriety" and readiness, Paul resorts to one of his favorite comparisons, likening a Christian to a warrior (compare Rom. 13: 12b; Eph. 6: 10-18; 1-Tim. 6: 12,2-Tim. 2: 3-4; 4: 7a). With his appeal, the apostle addresses Christians as the sons of the day — may they live according to their high position!

Being on the threshold of an event that will lead some to a sudden transformation, and others to an equally sudden death, believers should “arm themselves”; it is necessary for them for an appropriate way of feelings, thoughts and life. The armor that the Roman soldier put on covered him from neck to waist, protecting the most important parts of the body and organs (compare Eph. 6:14). For Christians, faith in love should appear the same “armor”.

Faith in God is a factor of man’s internal defense, beneficially acting on his inner “I”; love for other people is what protects him in the external environment. However, they are inseparable: one who believes in God cannot but love people (compare with 1 Thess. 1: 3). This conditions the readiness of Christians for the rapture. It is also important that, just as a helmet protected the head of a warrior, the structure and mindset of believers is protected by the hope of salvation.

As the context indicates, Paul speaks here of salvation in the meaning of deliverance from the wrath that will pour out upon the earth with the coming of the Lord. It is not the hope that someday they may be granted salvation in eternity. The concept of such uncertain confidence is alien to the New Testament. The followers of Christ are given a firm hope - unlike those who have nothing to hope for.

1 Thess. 5: 9. In short, because (khoti) another reason is introduced for believers to prepare themselves. God did not designate (designate) them for the wrath that will be poured out on the earth on the day of the Lord, but for the salvation that they will receive when Jesus Christ returns in the clouds for them. Here we are talking about the anger that will overtake the earth during the great tribulation - this is obvious from the context. God intended believers to be freed from him. This temporary salvation, like eternal salvation, is given through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thess. 5:10. What does Paul mean by staying awake or sleeping? Did he use them in the sense of “alive or dead” or in the meaning of “are we awake spiritually or dozing”? It seems that in the latter sense - judging by the fact that it uses the same words here to express the concepts of “stay awake” (gregoromen) and “sleep” (cateudomen), as in verse 6, where it definitely refers to spiritual wakefulness and spiritual "dream".

Consequently, Paul emphasizes that Christians will certainly live with Him, regardless of the level of their spiritual activity on earth. For for this, Christ died for them. They will escape God's wrath (compare 1:10). Here we have strong evidence for the admiration of the Church before the great tribulation.

Paul does not write that Christ was killed, but that He died. It was impossible to take life from Him (John 10:18), He himself gave it. He died for you (compare 2 Corinthians 5:21). The Thessalonians did not need a detailed explanation of this simple statement of the Savior's substitutionary death. Undoubtedly, the apostle emphasized the importance and meaning of this central position of the Christian doctrine when he first and personally taught it to the Thessalonians.

1 Thess. 5:11. The practical instruction by which Paul concludes this section follows from what he has just said. Its readers should admonish (in the meaning of "encourage") and edify (in the meaning of "promote spiritual instruction") one another. Those "exhortations" and "edifications" that were in the letters of the apostle to the Thessalonians were not enough. The new that he wrote to them needed constant repetition and emphasis.

It was necessary to become an integral part of the truth that they had known before and a reminder of which, encouraged one another at their meetings and in private conversations. Believers do not need to constantly hear something new, but they really need to be constantly reminded of what they already know. So as not to forget about it!

Verse 11 allows us to present what was happening at the meetings of the early Christian communities: their members did not miss the opportunity to “edify” each other. Mutual guidance and encouragement is what modern local churches need. Especially those based on the hope of Christ's return.

D. The life of the church (5: 12-15)

In this section, Paul reminds his readers of their responsibility in the present as believers in Christ. From instructions in connection with the future, he proceeds to requests concerning their “current” immediate duties. He begins with instructions regarding the relationship of believers with their spiritual leaders.

1. ATTITUDE TO HEADS (5: 12-13)

The directions given below were addressed to the community as a whole, and, therefore, to all Christians who composed it.

1 Thess. 5:12. This, apparently, is about elders, judging by the words with which the apostle speaks of them. In their pastoral care of the community, these people worked hard, perhaps in that little free time that was left for them from the work that they fed themselves and their families. Paul speaks of them as primates of the Thessalonians in the Lord. This means that the position they occupied in the church made them accountable to God for those who were entrusted to their care (compare Heb. 13:17).

In the circle of this "care" there was also admonition, that is, pastoral instructions of believers whenever necessary. Judging by the plural used by the apostle, there was more than one elder in the Thessalonian church; in each of the other churches to which he wrote, more than one presbyter also worked; there were usually more (compare Phil. 1: 1).

Regarding the attitude towards the leaders, Paul turned to the church with three requests. First, the brethren should respect them (and their work).

1 Thess. 5:13. Read them mainly ... for their work - such is the second (in Greek sounding especially strong) request of the apostle. Read them always, he implied. Paul taught this, based primarily on the responsibility that they bear for their flock to God. Not the respect in general, but a special ("predominant") respect and, moreover, lovingly demanded by the apostle to these people, again for their cause, if not because of their personal merits.

The third request of Paul is to be at peace with each other. This follows from obedience to the above. A peaceful community already existed in Thessalonica, but Paul wanted the members of the community to tirelessly support him. In modern churches, the source of disagreement and contention is precisely those believers who do not fulfill the above-mentioned requests of the Apostle Paul.

2. THE RELATIONSHIPS OF MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH (5: 14-15)

All members of the church, as well as its leaders, are required to serve each other.

1 Thess. 5:14. All Christians have four permanent duties to each other: a) to appeal to the faith and reason of the unreasonable (here in the meaning of those who neglect their duties); b) console the faint-hearted, that is, those who, for whatever reason, lose heart; they need special support and help in order to live a life worthy of Christians; c) support the weak (here, the "weak" refers to those people who have not yet learned to completely rely on the Lord, that is, the weak spiritually); Until they “get stronger,” they also need strong support from other believers. Of course, in one sense or another, all Christians are weak and need the support of the brotherhood as a whole, but the weak spiritually need it especially.

The fourth duty, as it were, absorbs the previous three: c) be patient with everyone. As follows from this context, - first of all, in relation to other Christians, but also to people in general. This requires nothing but the love of God, made in Christian by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 13: 4; Gal. 5:22).

1 Thess. 5:15. Patience is opposed to revenge or retribution of evil for evil in any form. It is not permissible for a Christian. Even if he was offended by a spiritually weak brother or if he was harmed out of evil intentions, he does not have the right to pay with the same coin (compare Matthew 5: 38-48; Romans 12: 17-21; 1-Pet. 3: 9) . In response, in any case, he must show kindness. Just refraining from retaliation is not enough; it is necessary to seek kindness to each other and to everyone. A Christian must follow this rule, not only in case of his disposition to follow it, but develop in himself by all means the ability to follow it always.

D. Holy life (5: 16-24)

This last group of requests and instructions relates to the holy life in general.

1. HOW TO LIVE THE CHRISTIAN (5: 16-18)

Here we will focus on the private life of believers before God.

1 Thess. 5:16. God wants His people to be joyful, and He gives him all the reasons for this. Knowing, however, human nature, Paul considered it necessary to remind the Thessalonians that they should always rejoice (compare Phil. 3: 1; 4: 4). This was the command of the apostle. The joy of a Christian does not depend on his circumstances at this moment, but on the blessings that he has while being in Christ. “A Christian who is sad or depressed violates this commandment,” wrote A. Mason, one of Paul’s researchers on the Thessalonians, “because he thereby expresses distrust of God - His strength, foresight and foresight, the forgiveness granted by Him”

Verse 16 is composed of two words (in the original: pantote kaieret); in the Greek text of the New Testament this is the shortest verse.

1 Thess. 5:17. By unceasing prayer is meant not continuous prayer, but one that is offered at every opportunity. The Greek word, translated as incessantly (adialeyptos; it is in 1: 3), was applied to frequent coughing. Paul is talking here about maintaining fellowship with God, if possible and in the midst of daily worries, when it is so hard to concentrate.

1 Thess. 5:18. Christians need to thank God in all circumstances. In this urgent request, the apostle proceeded from the fact that ultimately God directs everything for the good of those who love Him (Rom. 8:28).

The exhortations in verses 16–18 are not just good advice, but an expression of God's will for every Christian. Not all of His will, of course, but an important and clearly formulated part of it. Those in Christ Jesus should rejoice, pray, and give thanks.

2. HOW TO LIVE THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY (5: 19-22)

If in the previous verses the emphasis was on the individual responsibility of everyone for his personal behavior, then here it is transferred to what the community of believers as a whole is responsible for. Five instructions are given as if in a jerky manner of a musical phrase ("staccato"). Two of them are negative and three are affirmative (verses 21-22).

1 Thess. 5:19. In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is often likened to flame (Isa. 4: 4; Matt. 3:11; Acts 2: 3-4). He warms the heart, enlightens the mind, gives strength to the human spirit. Paul warns believers here not to impede the effective work of the Holy Spirit in them. If he is opposed, then His fire may be weakened or even extinguished. In the next verse you can find an explanation of how the Thessalonians could put out the fire of the Spirit in their church.

1 Thess. 5:20. Perhaps in the early Christian churches and in Thessalonica, in particular, there was a tendency to underestimate what was expressed in the prophetic insight. The gift of prophecy was expressed in the ability to perceive and expose the revelations received from God at a time when the New Testament was not yet completed (1 Cor. 13: 8). Sometimes these revelations were related to future events (Acts 11:28), but often they were related to the present (Acts 13: 2).

It seems likely that from time to time people who did not receive revelations from above tried to inspire others with their own ideas and ideas about events such as the Second Coming, and as a result, another tendency arose - to evaluate prophetic revelations, guided by erroneous principles (for example, based on eloquence who spoke), and not on the basis of their true value.

Christians should not demean the prophecies given to the Church, recognized as true, and preserved in the Scriptures by their incorrect approach to them. Even today, this temptation is in place to replace the Word of God with human speculation.

1 Thess. 5:21 a.m.. In view of this danger, Christians need to test everything, that is, check everything that they hear or read in the light of God's revelations in order to recognize whether it is of divine origin. This is not easy, but accessible to the spiritual believer (1 Cor. 2:14). Yes, and every Christian is given, to one degree or another, a similar understanding (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4: 1), so that everyone has the obligation to “test”. What turns out to be good, that is, not contrary to the revelations of the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures, must be accepted.

1 Thess. 5:22. But all false doctrine and false prophecy, as well as the way of life based on them, must be rejected. However, Paul, as it were, widens the scope of his warning, extending it to all kinds of evil, from which he calls to restrain himself. In connection with this, however, it seems appropriate to quote the theologian Geybert: “Whereas believers should refrain from any actions that may knowingly offend or offend someone, it is not always possible to refrain from everything that seems evil from the point of view of the limited and unreasonable judgment. "

3. ABOUT CONCEPT BY GOD, ABOUT HELP OF GOD BY BELIEVERS (5: 23-24)

Realizing how high these requirements are, Paul expresses a pious desire that God Himself would help his readers to fulfill them.

1 Thess. 5:23. In order to inspire them and inspire even more courage in them, the apostle emphasizes that their God is the God of peace. Through preaching evangelism to them, Thessalonian Christians have now come to know the world. At that time, when Paul wrote to them, they enjoyed peaceful fraternal relationships between themselves.

But Paul wants this God of peace in the future to serve as an equally reliable source of strength and purification for them. He offers him a prayer for the sanctification of the Thessalonians and for their preservation without vice (in the sense of the absence of legal grounds for condemning them) - in the light of the coming return (“parody”) of the Lord Jesus Christ for His saints.

Although here Paul speaks of Christians as “three-component,” that is, as having a spirit, soul, and body, in other places of the Scriptures it is said only about the “two parts” of man - the body and spirit (James 2:26; 2 -Cor. 7: 1) or of the body and soul (Matt. 10:28). We also know that when describing the human personality it is customary to talk about the heart, mind, conscience, etc. However, here the apostle, apparently, did not set himself the task of emphasizing the "three-componentity" of man; rather, he uses these three terms to express various personal aspects of him.

Thus, the spirit is the highest and incomparable part of his Being, due to which he is able to communicate with God. The soul allows a person to be aware of himself; she is the receptacle of his inner self. The body, as you know, corresponds to its material part, through which the inner "I" expresses itself outside and is recognized by others. Thus, Paul expresses the desire for God to keep the Thessalonians immaculate in their relationship with Him, in their inner, personal, life and, finally, in their contacts with the world.

1 Thess. 5:24. God calling the Christian will do all this with His Holy Spirit, who dwells in the believer. God is faithful and therefore will bring the work He began in believers to the end (Phil. 1: 6). He, saving a man by grace, then does not leave him to himself, so that by deeds he will grow in Christ (Gal. 3: 3). Calling and justifying by grace, God by grace also sanctifies.

IV. Conclusion (5: 25-28)

This conclusion looks like a postscript to the letter. It contains three more calls and a blessing.

A. Personal requests of Paul (5: 25-27)

Unlike most of Paul's other epistles, there is no indication in the final section that it was written by himself or by some of the apostle's assistants under his dictation.

1 Thess. 5:25. For the first time in this letter, where the conversion of the brethren is used many times (interpretation at 1: 4), it occurs at the beginning of the sentence. This emphasizes the meaning embedded in it. Present in the Greek text allows you to translate the end of the verse and as "Pray for you constantly." With this ardent request for prayer, Paul addresses those whom he considered his brothers.

There is no doubt that the success of his missionary work was largely due to the prayers of the Thessalonians and other believers. Fully aware of the "insufficiency" of a man named Paul and the "all-sufficiency" of God (compare 2 Cor. 3: 5), the apostle also asked for prayers for his co-workers and for himself.

1 Thess. 5:26. In the days of Paul, as today in many countries, it was customary to greet friends with a kiss on the cheek. So not only women welcomed each other, but also men. This kiss expressed a personal disposition (analogues in modern society - shaking hands or patting on the shoulder) and did not carry a hint of a "romantic" attraction. In this sense, he was holy, not carnal.

1 Thess. 5:27. In this penultimate verse, the apostle urges all brothers to read this letter, meaning, probably, all members of the Thessalonian church. Usually the Greek word anagnostenai, translated as "read", meant reading aloud. These words of Paul sound with unexpected strength. He conjures his readers to do so, hinting that, if disobedient, God will punish them. Because of any specific problems that existed in this church, did the apostle want each of its members to hear what he wrote? And so that what is read aloud to all does not give rise to misunderstandings and interpretations? Or was he aware that this message was written by him under special guidance from above and therefore is especially valuable spiritually? It seems that the reason is both.

B. Blessing (5:28)

In all the blessings with which he concludes his epistles, Paul invokes God's grace upon the readers. Here he writes about her as coming from our Lord Jesus Christ. In Him, Christians possess everything. There is no doubt that God's grace is always with His children, but Paul ardently wished that his readers would always be aware of this and be able to enjoy it. Everything that man has in Christ, he owes His grace.

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-28
Key Verse 5:18

“Thank you for everything: for such is the will of God about you in Christ Jesus.”

Today is Thanksgiving. Each of us wrote at least 50 thanksgiving topics to learn thanksgiving. When I wrote topics, the first 10 were easy to write, then 10 were difficult, but then, when the mind was set up for thanksgiving, I immediately saw so many thanksgiving around that when I wrote 50, I could not stop and continued on. I think it was exactly the same with you, because I heard that many wrote even 100 topics. Thanksgiving is a very good person. If we thank every day, God will be glorified, and our spiritual order will be restored. When we give thanks, the kingdom of Satan leaves, and the Kingdom of God comes. True thanksgiving begins with faith in Jesus Christ and His second coming. He who thanks for everything does not become a victim of circumstances and is ready for the second coming of Jesus Christ. I pray that we learn to give thanks and begin a new life.

I. “Let us be awake and sober up” (1-11)

Look at verses 1 through 3. “But there is no need to write about the times and the time to you, brethren, for you yourself know for sure that the day of the Lord will come so much as thawing at night. For when they say: “peace and security”, then their perniciousness will suddenly comprehend, just as the flour of childbirth [comprehends] which is in the womb, and they will not be avoided. ”  The life of Christians is inseparable from the second coming of Jesus Christ. Faith in the second coming of Christ does not lie in the knowledge of Him, but in the lifestyle of a person who awaits the second coming of Christ. A person who believes in the second coming of Christ differs from others in his way of life. Take another look at verse 2. The day of the Lord will come like a thief at night, and when people say: “peace and security,” they will suddenly perceive their perniciousness, just like the flour of childbirth comprehends a pregnant woman, and they will not be avoided. A thief comes when we are not waiting for him, and childbirth comes unexpectedly. Similarly, the coming of the day of the Lord will be unexpected. The world lulls and intoxicates people, so that we live in darkness in a sleepy and drunk state. But Christians must be awake and sober.

Take a look at verse 5. "For you are all sons of light and sons of the day: we are not [sons] of the night, nor of darkness."   This word means that believers live in a completely different world than unbelievers. Their world is different, how day is different from night and how light is from darkness. Day and light - means in Jesus Christ. And night and darkness are sin, spiritual ignorance and spiritual indifference. Jesus said: “I am the light of the world; whoever follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life ”   (John 8: 12b). He also said to those who did not accept Him: “But he who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. As long as the light is with you, believe in the light, that you may be the sons of light ”   (John 12: 35b-36a).

How should the sons of the day live? Take a look at verses 7, 8. “For those who sleep sleep in the night, and those who drink revel in the night. We, being [sons] of the day, sober up, clothed in the armor of faith and love and in the helmet of the hope of salvation. "  Sleeping means those who live in sin and darkness. They sleep spiritually in sin. They are in a drunken state, live by mood and emotions. They seek instant pleasures and carnal lusts. They are not awake, but live according to the lusts and seduction of the world, commit adultery, drunk and engage in idolatry. Imagine the life of a drunkard in complete darkness. He falls, constantly stumbles upon something, but has fun, laughs, not understanding where he is and how he is. They say: “Peace! Safety! ”However, this is a very dangerous life. Ephesians 5: 5 says: “For you know that no whore, or unclean, or covetous, who is an idolater, has no inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God”. Those involved in the affairs of darkness cannot receive the eternal kingdom of God.

Therefore, what should we do? Look again at verse 8. "But we, being the [sons] of the day, sober up, clothed in the armor of faith and love and in the helmet of the hope of salvation."   We must arm ourselves. Our armor is the faith and love of Christ, and our helmet is the hope of salvation. It is said that the life of a Christian is a battlefield. If we walk without weapons, it is easy to become a victim of Satan. But when we arm ourselves with faith and love, and put on the helmet of the hope of salvation, Satan cannot defeat us in any way. We need to hold fast the hope of salvation, which Jesus confirmed by His death and His resurrection. This is our spiritual outfit. We feel and know that the day of the Lord is very near. And we already know what we should do. Romans 13: 11-14 says so: “So [do], knowing the time that it is already time for us to wake up from sleep. For now salvation is closer to us than when we believed. The night passed, and the day approached: so let us reject the work of darkness and put on the arms of light. As in the afternoon, we will behave decently, not [indulging] in either feasts or drunkenness, or voluptuousness and profligacy, or quarrels and envy; but put on our Lord Jesus Christ, and do not turn the cares of the flesh into lusts. ”.

Take a look at verse 9. God has already determined us not for anger, but for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we have time to wake up from a spiritual dream, from a dream of sin and unbelief. And we will behave like a bride who is waiting for the Bride of Jesus Christ.

II. “Give thanks for everything” (12-28)

St. Paul continues to talk about what we must actively do, waiting for the day of the Lord. Take a look at verses 12, 13. “We ask you, brethren, to respect the working people of you, and your primates in the Lord, and admonishing you, and to honor them mainly with love for their work; be at peace with one another. " The Thessaloniki Church was founded by the Apostle Paul. When Paul left, he left leaders and ministers there. But for some reason, the brothers did not respect them. They probably compared them to Paul. They criticized their leaders, and as a result, the church and the glory of God suffered severe damage. Should we learn to respect pastors and leaders, to honor them with love? They work very hard to serve us and feed us with the word of God. And the Holy Spirit entrusts His work to them, and through them He directs and works. Our God is the God of order (1 Cor. 14:33). Believers should not ignore the servants of God, and on the other hand should not worship them as a king. Need to read and love. Respect and love are important elements to create a healthy church.

Look at verses 14, 15. Believers should love and serve one another. Unreasonable ones must be taught to behave properly. We must train ourselves so as not to hurt others. You cannot consider only your opinion and your principles as correct and reject others. The faint-hearted must be comforted. The weak need to be supported and have to be patient with everyone. We must not repay evil for evil. The essence of Christian morality is not to be conquered by evil, but to conquer evil by good.

And that's not all. There is one thing that those who believe in the second coming of Jesus and who are expecting Him must constantly do. Take a look at verses 16 through 18. “Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks for everything: for such is the will of God about you in Christ Jesus. ”   Always rejoicing is no longer a matter of emotions. This is a new life in Jesus Christ. How can we always rejoice? We can always rejoice because we have true joy - the Lord Jesus Christ. Previously, when we lived in darkness, our joy was only temporary things: food, money, jokes, films, any conditions and circumstances. But all this is not true joy, but instant. Things are going well, I'm glad, bad - no joy. They love me - I rejoice, and when my friends left me - I’m sad. Worldly joys easily evaporate - this is not joy. But now that we have become children of light, our joy is the risen Jesus Christ, who gave us eternal life and the eternal Kingdom of God. If we live in Jesus Christ, in truth, in His love and light, our joy never ends, and we always have fullness like the ocean.

If we are always happy, then we can live a healthy life. Man has a biological mechanism within himself. When we rejoice, our brain sends a message of life to every organ. Conversely, depression, fear, anger send a message of death and illness to every organ and every cell. Dr. Bernard Fix of Boston University discovered that a sad person is 2 times more likely to get cancer than others.

“Pray without ceasing” , - means to be in constant communication with God. Prayer is spiritual breathing. If we do not breathe, we die immediately. Similarly, if we do not pray, we lose spiritual strength, joy, and die spiritually. But if we constantly pray, we are filled with life and strength. When we pray, we see the will of God and receive wisdom from God, faith, and courage to conquer the world. To pray without ceasing means that prayer should be part of our daily lives. Especially important is morning prayer. Morning prayer has the power to work miracles, heal the disease and solve the problem.

“Thank you for everything.”   This is a wonderful word! Because in it is the essence of the Christian life. Then what does it mean: “Give thanks for everything” ? Many people explain this word in different ways, but the word "for everything" means literally for everything: for everything that we have; for the fact that I am, and we are; because there is heaven and earth; for God giving us all this. When we lived in darkness, without God, before we did not know that we did not thank, but were used to considering everything as natural and complaining about everything. The world where there is God is filled with His love, kindness and His wonderful light. But when there is no God, everything in the world is darkness, tragedy and evil. The fall of man began when, having known God, they did not glorify Him as God and did not thank (Rom. 1:21). Ungratefulness is the root of all sins. When we give thanks for everything, a new life begins and a new world opens. Therefore, Satan does his best and works so that we do not give thanks for everything, but rather that we complain about everything. We saw it well in Genesis 3. The devil takes away the spirit of thanksgiving from us and gives us the spirit of hatred, complaint, unwillingness to live, illness, sin and all darkness.

But what happens when we thank God for everything? Satan runs away and we triumph. When we give thanks for everything, the curse runs away and comes blessing and happiness. When we thank for everything, any disease escapes and health and new strength come to us. When we give thanks for everything, any difficulty disappears and our life becomes blessed.

Complaint is the cause of all illnesses, and thanksgiving is the best medicine, the best vitamin and the most powerful treatment. Complaint gives rise to misfortune, and thanksgiving gives rise to success, happiness, victory. Thanksgiving is the key to blessing, victory, and prosperity. The peculiarity of successful people is that they thank for everything. And the peculiarity of the majority of prisoners in prison is that they complain about everything all their lives. Not to thank is a great sin. A complaint is like an epidemic. A complaint kills itself and others, and destroys the whole society. But thanksgiving enlivens me and others.

People say: “How can you give thanks when you don’t give thanks for anything?” But this is wrong. If they began to give thanks for everything, then they would not have time to complain. In God, we must give thanks for everything.

Last year was a very difficult year for Ukraine and for each of us. A year ago, the Maidan began and now there is a serious military conflict in the east. The economy of Ukraine is in a very precarious state. Everything is getting more expensive again. In the summer at our Center there was a flood again. It seems that there is reason only to complain, not to thank. But the problem is that we pay too much attention to what we have lost, but we easily forget what we got and what we have. We have life, we have health, we have eyes, ears, there is sun above our heads, every day we can eat, every day we have water. We can feed our children when they are hungry. We can gather every Sunday to sing songs and rejoice. But most importantly, we have salvation in Jesus Christ. Jesus died for our sins and gave us the eternal Kingdom of God. Most of all, people are very worried because they are afraid of the uncertainty of the future and especially death. But our future is already determined, it is the eternal Kingdom of God, and death is gain. Therefore, we must always thank God, who saved us and gave us His love.

Let’s think again: how ungrateful we are! From our birth to this day, we have received so much love from God, from parents and relatives and other people. And every day we get love again and again. But how often we do not thank for everything and consider all this to be natural affairs. We have a lot of thanksgiving topics. I thank God for giving me life, I thank for the air, for two legs and two hands. Thank you for giving us His Only Begotten Son and saving me from eternal destruction, and giving me His Eternal Kingdom. Try to give thanks for everything - a great thing will happen. We have too many thanksgiving topics. And our life is not enough to thank God.

We must train ourselves to thank for everything. When we give thanks, the Holy Spirit works, and when we complain, Satan works. A person complains well, even without a reminder and special training. But he cannot thank. Our nature is like that. But even when we cannot give thanks, if we actively give thanks for everything, repeating: “Thank you, thank you ...” - God gives us strength and joy to give thanks, and opens us a clear theme of thanksgiving. “Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks for everything ”   - it is God's will for us in Christ Jesus. This is the secret of happiness, blessing, health and the secret of victory over Satan.

In verses from the 19th to the 28th - the farewell of Paul. He asked not to quench the Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells in believers. We must not destroy Him. And the prophecy cannot be disparaged. Try everything, hold on to the good. Paul teaches to leave even the image of sin, and asks to pray for himself.

I thank God for giving me Thanksgiving. Until now, I considered this a purely American holiday, you can thank every day. But through this word, I realized that it is very difficult to keep a grateful heart, so having one special day of the year to restore thanksgiving to the heart is very good. I thought that I thank you for everything, but in fact I constantly complained: why my life is so hard; why do I have so many worries: main job, extra work, second extra work, own project, ministry to my son, ministry to my first daughter, ministry to my second daughter, school, kindergarten, ministry to dad, car, gas, church worship, other ministries, sermons , sogam, personal Bible study, Bible study with others and just serving others, diseases come out here and there. When I thought about all this, I could not thank, but only complained and prayed less and less. I could not rejoice, so I began to look for joy in the films that I watched at night. But so my life became even worse and worse.

But God gave me the word: "Thank you for everything." God wants everything I have to become not a subject of complaint, but a theme of thanksgiving. God taught me to give thanks for everything and everything. Now I thank for everything, for having the main job, additional work, second additional work, my own project, for the opportunity to serve my son, for the opportunity to serve my first daughter, for the opportunity to serve my second daughter, for school, for kindergarten, for the opportunity to serve dad, for the car, for gasoline, in the church for grace to participate in worship, for grace through other services, for grace to read sermons, sogam, for personal Bible study, for studying the Bible with others and the opportunity to serve others, for healing and , person NGOs, for their excellent wife for the patient and loving pastors and staff, for the endless love of God to me, for everything. I thank God that He saved me, teaches and educates me. Thank you for a wonderful life. Actually, I have a very good life. I just did not thank. I repent of ingratitude and decided to start the day again with a prayer of thanksgiving to God.

I bless each of you. May each of us give thanks for everything, may a new life begin in Jesus Christ. May every day we will constantly pray, and rejoice, and give thanks for everything. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

. for you yourself know for certain that the day of the Lord will come so much as thawing at night.

By the day of the Lord it is necessary to understand both the general demise and the private demise of each, for even this latter is unknown when it will come for everyone. And it is useful for us for many reasons. Firstly, because if a person knew his last hour, he would continuously commit any sin, and then, at the end of his life, he would proceed to the font. Secondly, because many, if they had known that they would die tomorrow, would have caused countless disasters to their enemies, either simply out of despair or out of a desire to get enough of the blood of their enemies - which now does not happen, thanks to that. that they are held back by the fear of death and the love of life. In addition, people attached to life could die of sadness if they knew the fateful hour of their death. Finally, even the righteous, in danger, would not deserve such a reward; because it would seem that since they know that they will die not now, but after so many years, they therefore do not spare themselves. Now, when it is not known whether they will endure the dangers, and yet they will not spare themselves, their virtue is beyond doubt. Like the three Jewish youths, they are therefore more likely to be surprised that, not knowing for sure whether they will be saved from the fire, they still did not bow to the idol (). So, our demise is how to thaw at night. You know this, Thessalonians, from what the Lord said; “You do not know what time your Lord will come” ().

. For when they say: “peace and security”, then their perniciousness will suddenly befall them, just as the flour of childbirth comprehends that which is in the womb, and will not be avoided.

Since the offending Thessalonians spent their lives in pleasures, the apostle now consoles believers, saying: do not think that they will avoid punishment. Doom will come to them too, unexpected doom heavy and containing many sorrows, like the torment of a woman giving birth. But if Elijah and the Antichrist come, why does Paul say now that destruction will catch them all of a sudden? Because the Antichrist and Elijah are a sign of a common demise; the coming of Christ is not yet; it will be sudden and unknown when. Pay attention to the comparison with the pangs of birth. For even there the woman knows that she will give birth; but when exactly, he still does not know this. That is why many women, not foreseeing anything, gave birth both after seven months and on the roads. And just as they, playing and laughing, are suddenly subjected to inexpressible torment, so the souls of those who now spend their lives in amusement, with the advent of that day, will not escape torture.

. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that the day will find you, like a thief.

That is, you do not lead a dark and unclean life. So what then? Can it be that death will not come unexpectedly for them, even if they were not unclean? It will come unexpectedly, but will not bring them any sorrow. For even a thief cannot do any harm while awake and having light, even if he has managed to enter them - on the contrary, he is robbed of those who are in darkness and sleeping, and leaves.

. For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day:

Just as the sons of hell are called those who make worthy of hell and the sons of resistance - disobedient, so the sons of light and day are called those who do the works of light.

we are not sons of night, nor darkness.

That is sin.

. So, we will not sleep, like the others, but we will be awake and sober.

That is, we will not neglect good deeds. Strengthening wakefulness is sobriety. For you can be awake, but not be sober; therefore, the apostle, as it were, says: we will do good deeds soberly and carefully.

. For those who sleep sleep in the night, and those who drink revel in the night.

. As sons of the day, let us be sober

Here the Apostle calls sleeping in evil those abiding, as motionless on virtue and immersed in dreamy charms. Such, indeed, are the deeds of real life, not at all different from sleepy dreams. Further, he calls intoxication not one intoxication from wine, but also from all passions, as taking a person out of an ordinary state and overshadowing the sovereign soul, that is, the mind. So, you should not be such, for you are not the sons of night and darkness, but the sons of the day through baptism and perception of the yoke of the commandments of God.

clothed in the armor of faith and love

It’s not enough to stay awake and sober, you should be armed. For whoever is alert and sober, but does not have a weapon, robbers can immediately defeat him. Having said: “In the armor of faith and love”, the apostle also pointed to a righteous life, which, in fact, means "sober up." And you should not just have it, but like armor. For nothing can soon be cut through the armor, on the contrary, it is something of a stronghold for the chest, and not one of the fiery arrows of the devil touches us.

and in the helmet of hope of salvation,

Just as a helmet, covering the most important part in us - the head, saves and saves it, so hope protects the mind and saves it, not allowing anything from outside to fall into it. Pay attention to the ones indicated by him elsewhere () “Faith, hope and love”These three, which he now commands to acquire.

. because he determined us not to anger, but to receiving salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

. who died for us, so that we, whether awake or asleep, live with Him.

Therefore, he says, he must acquire this weapon because he did not put us in anger, that is, he didn’t determine that we should carry His anger, but in order to acquire us to Himself and save us, giving His Son to us for death. So, we must expect in the dangers of all that is useful and great. For if we believe that He did not spare His Son for us, we will hope that He will, moreover, deliver us from these dangers. Let us have this example before us and love both Him and our neighbors. For that, he says, Christ died, so that we are “awake”, that is, we live, “or we sleep,” that is, we die, “Lived with him”. The apostle understood a different dream above and understands another dream here. What he says here has the following meaning: do not be afraid of bodily dangers, do not be afraid of death, even if we die, we will be alive, because He is alive who loved us so much that he died for us.

. Therefore, exhort one another and edify one another, as you do.

You see? So what do you say: “I am not a teacher”? “Exhort,” he says, “to each other,” since teachers are not able to teach everyone.

. We ask you, brethren, to respect the working people of you,

Since he said: “Exhort one another”, so that they do not conclude that he himself elevates them to the dignity of teachers, and that they do not rebel against the teachers, he says: if I instructed you to edify each other, I still convince you to treat them with honor. For teachers are forced to endure many difficulties, which honor for them, of course, will make it a little easier.

and your leaders in the Lord, and admonishing you,

If you honor those who stand before you for a person, how many times more should you express full appreciation to those who stand before you for God? “In the Lord,” that is, he does not appear in worldly things, but in spiritual things that in the Lord, he prays for you, revives you through baptism, watches over you, teaches and heals you — at midnight, if you call, he goes. You see how he preaches about you.

Not just said love, but: "Predominantly"like children of parents. For he who loves Christ, he will love his servant, no matter what he may be, because through him he was granted the terrible Mysteries. If you took an honest wife, do you not respect and love the one who delivered her to you? You have received the kingdom of heaven, and you abhor the one who delivered it. Listen to Paul: “for their work,” he says, love them.

be at peace with each other.

He also writes: “with them,” that is, with teachers. For he knew the possibility of the emergence of displeasure against them. Since they convict and keep them from evil, they are hated. Therefore, it should “be at peace” with them, and not in appearance, but in themselves.

. We also beg you, brethren, admonish the unreasonable,

Here the apostle addresses the teachers. Not with severity, he says, or with arrogance do reprimands, but with meekness “admonish”. For, having become desperate, a person becomes more impudent when they severely reprimand him. The “causeless” are those who act against what is determined by God. each has its own rank; the one who transgresses him is an atonement. A drunkard, an abusive person, a greedy lover, and all sinners live without cause.

comfort the faint-hearted

Faint-hearted is one who cannot stand temptation. It is precisely that which is sown on stone (). Thus, he also needs support.

support the weak

That is, support the weak in faith, as elsewhere says: “Accept the weak in faith” ().

be patient with everyone.

And to the unreasonable, and cowardly, and weak. For this is the most decent means for a teacher, able to turn everyone, even the most rude.

. See that no one gives evil to anyone for evil;

If you should not give evil for evil, then even more so - evil for good, or start doing evil and harming someone who did nothing to harm.

but always look for good to each other and to everyone.

It is not enough not to pay evil for evil; it is necessary, he says, to repay good for oneself, to one who has done evil. This is exactly what the apostle teaches when he says: “seek good.” That is, try hard to do good, both in relation to each other, that is, to the faithful, and in relation to all, that is, to the infidels.

. Always rejoice.

At least you are tempted. Look: after he said that he should not give evil for evil, he further commanded to rejoice. If a person is brought up in such a way that he does not avenge anyone, on the contrary, even benefits from a person who has caused grief, then where can the sting of sorrow come into him?

. Pray without ceasing.

. Thank you for everything:

The apostle showed the way to constant joy, to unceasing prayer and thanksgiving. For whoever is accustomed to turning to God and thanks Him for everything that has served to benefit, - obviously, he will have constant joy.

for such is the will of God about you in Christ Jesus.

How will you always thank? If you realize that it is God's will to always be grateful to you, as the everlasting benefactor in Christ Jesus, that is, through the cooperation of the Lord Jesus. For He Himself helps us to be grateful: He taught us to do what we learned from the gospel.

. Do not quench the spirit.

. Do not disparage prophecies.

Since present life is night, he has given us a clear lamp - the Holy Spirit. But some made this lamp brighter, like all the saints; and others repaid, like the five virgins who left him without oil, like the Corinthian harlot who poured impurity into him. Therefore, he said: "Do not quench the spirit", that is, a gift. Lock doors, that is, feelings, so that the spirit of guile does not enter and the lamp does not go out. Do not bring earthly worries, and the lamp will remain unquenchable. Or so it can be understood: they had the prophets of God and false prophets. Since it was not known that the true prophet, they turned away from everyone. Therefore, the apostle says to them: “The Spirit,” that is, a gift from true prophets, “do not quench” disgust, as from false prophets, and do not despise the prophecies from the Holy Spirit.

. Try everything, hold on to the good.

So what then? Do we really accept false prophets? No, he says. But test everything, that is, both false and true, examine with test, and then accept the prophecies that turned out to be good, that is, consider them as true and keep them in mind.

. Avoid all kinds of evil.

Not only from this or that, but simply from everyone, and from a false prophet, and from sin.

. May the world itself bless you in its entirety,

The apostle also attaches prayer to the instruction so that they can be safe on both sides. What means: “In its entirety”? That is, body and soul, as will be seen later.

and your spirit and soul and body in its entirety be preserved without vice at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Spirit, that is, the gift of the Holy Spirit that we received through baptism. If we keep His lamp bright and unquenchable, then we will enter the bridegroom; then the soul and body will be blameless if the spirit shines in us. Gregory of Nyssa says: since a person consists of every kind of souls — a physical, sensual and rational soul, the apostle denotes the rational part with the word “spirit”; “soul” is sensual, “body” is physical life in us. So, he prays that all of them and in everything be kept immaculate, in everything pleasing to God.

. Faithful is He who calls you, Who will do these things.

Look what humility! After he said a prayer for them, he says: Do not think that you will be saved by my prayers, but by the goodness of God who has called you. For if He called for salvation, but He is faithful, that is true, then He will certainly do it according to His will and save.

. Brethren! pray for us.

Pay attention to humility: and Paul asked for their prayers.

. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

Since he, being in the absence, could not greet them with a kiss of his own mouth, he wishes to greet through others, as we say: kiss such and such for me. And since there is a crafty kiss, like kissing Judas, he says: "Kissing the saints".

. I conjure you by the Lord to read this message to all the holy brethren.

Not so much for the sake of instruction, but for the purpose of speaking with them through a message: a proof of ardent love. He conjures so that if they do not respect him, then at least for the sake of an oath they would fulfill what was commanded to them. So spells were terrible for ancient Christians! But, alas, they are not such today, they are not such for us.

. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you: Amen.

All the blessings, he says, He gave us. So, try to attract the most abundant grace, living worthy of what has already been granted to you. But this grace keep us from every wrong way; may we live for the glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. All glory befits him forever. Amen.

5:1,2 About times and periods there is no need to write to you, brethren,
2 for you yourself know for certain that the day of the Lord will come so much as thawing at night.
Paul speaks here of the suddenness of the day of the wrath of God, indicated in the New Testament by the second coming of His son, Jesus Christ.
   Many Christians among Jews are well aware of this day according to V.Z. (Joel. 2,1.31; Am. 5,18; Soph. 1,7.14; Mal. 4,5), which refers to the approach of God the Judge. Jesus warned that, no matter how much this day was expected, however, for many it would come suddenly. God does not consider it necessary to inform in advance the dates of Christ's arrival for the execution of the judgment of God's judgment on this wicked century, and therefore foresees that by the time of its onset all the people of the Earth will relax, forgetting that the judgment is coming.

5:3 For when they say: “peace and security”, then their destruction will suddenly comprehend, just as the flour of childbirth [comprehends] that which is in the womb, and they will not escape .
Here is a warning that if you are careless and complacent without being awake over the Scriptures, then the destruction of Armageddon will suddenly catch up (the Bible0 does not describe another damage to the careless).
   They will say " peace and security"- meaning, the spirit of complacency and complacency will prevail (there will be no trouble with us, God will not be punished for us). Where will they say that?
   The Scriptures provide fairly clear explanations for this state of complacency and security, both in the world and in God's people.
1)   in the world:
   Even before the end of this century, when conditions on Earth will worsen, the whole world will be occupied with ordinary everyday affairs, a state of carelessness will be in the hearts of the majority:
   for, as in the days before the flood they ate, drank, got married and got married (ate, drank, bought, sold, planted, built - Luke 17 ), until the day Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not think until the flood came and exterminated everyone - so will the coming of the Son of Man; (Matthew 24:38). Possibly, statements about the struggle for peace and security or the cessation of wars and the arms race will be heard everywhere.

IN to believe in some kind of end of the world (Armageddon) - there will be none of humanity alienated from God. This warning will be perceived with ridicule and - like the fanatics' imagination, nothing more:
3 First of all, know that in the last days arrogant cursers will appear, acting according to their own lusts
   4 and they say, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers began to die, from the beginning of creation, everything remains the same.
   (2 Pet. 3: 3,4).
Therefore, the usual course of life will not change to the very end, even in worsening conditions on the planet - the people of this world will not see the threat of the sudden destruction of the wicked, they will only try to adapt their usual life to changing conditions.

2)   The people of God will also have a spirit of complacency and security, and this has already happened in the history of the people of Jehovah:
   Here Paul quotes the words of Jer.6: 13,14 and conveys the thought of the prophets Micah 3:11 b and Jeremiah 7: 3,4, 23:17 - especially Christians should listen to them.
According to the words of these prophets, God's people of antiquity were confident in the correctness of their path and because of this felt themselves in peace and security. They were convinced that, unlike other nations, disasters could not happen only because they serve Jehovah, are visitors to His temple and rely on His help - although in reality the situation in God's people looked like this:
For from small to large, each of them is devoted to self-interest, and from the prophet to the priest, all act deceitfully; they heal the wounds of My people frivolously, saying peace, peace! But there is no peace . (Jer. 6: 13,14)
   Therefore, Judea cruelly paid for such a relaxed spiritual state: as you know, the king of Babylon burned the city and destroyed the temple of Solomon.

The same thing happened with the leaders of God's people in the 1st century. They also paid cruelly for their self-confidence: in 70, the city of Jerusalem and the temple of God were destroyed by Rome, many self-confident people perished.

The people of God, living in the last days of this century and having brought about a period of general prosperity, should be especially vigilant: during this period they should not self-confidently expect mass salvation and amuse themselves with the thought that the disastrousness cannot happen to them, since they attend meetings congregations in worship of Jehovah. The words "peace and security" should not come from them, just as they came from the leaders of the last days of the Jewish system in the 1st century.
   Whoever rejects the last prophets will not be sensible after the sign of their ascension to heaven (Rev. 11: 12,13) \u200b\u200band will continue to worship God in the usual way in the belief that trouble will not happen to him - that, just, Jehovah’s wrath will certainly catch in Armageddon.

Total: the more frivolous this world, the less he believes in the approach of the end of the century of Satan and the more self-confidence in Jehovah’s servants that they are doing the right thing, serving God and therefore are in a spiritual paradise and complete safety - the closer the sudden end  (wait end from Jehovah- no one will be: the servants of Jehovah and other believers will be confident in their salvation from the perniciousness in Armageddon, and the rest will not believe in it).
   We should not forget that the temple of God in Jerusalem did not save the Jews en masse from Nebuchadnezzar or from Rome. Only personal righteousness and devotion to God is the key to the salvation of each individual servant of God.

5:4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that the day will find you, like a thief.
But, unlike those living in spiritual darkness (the whole world and those believers who will no longer stay awake over Jehovah’s word) - waking Christians will understand that there can be no peace and security: when fulfilling the signs of the coming of the Lord’s day, Christians should be on the alert. The state of universal peace and security on Earth or “peace and security” in assemblies should not lull their vigilance and make them forget that it is this imaginary “world” that is a sign of a near end to this wicked century.
   Watching over the Scriptures and taking measures for their salvation from the perniciousness coming to the careless world - thereby, they will show God that they are worthy of salvation (see text 9 below). Therefore, God will deliver them from the destruction of Armageddon by “removing” them from the extermination zone (144,000 will be taken to Armageddon to heaven; and the rest awake, who did not reach the election as co-rulers, will “die in the Lord” after gathering in heaven 144000, Matthew 24: 29-31; 1Fes. 4: 16,17; Rev. 14: 1; 13; for more details, see the discussion   Mt.24: 40.41).

5:5 For all of you are sons of light and sons of the day: we are not [sons] of the night, nor of darkness .
Christians are the sons of spiritual enlightenment, the darkness of this world should not lull their vigilance with apparent external well-being.

5:6,7 So, we will not sleep, like the others, but we will be awake and sober.
7 For those who sleep sleep in the night, and those who drink revel in the night .
   It is time in this period for Christians to stay awake over the word of God, over their own righteousness and in Christian activity: the period of universal prosperity, satiety and order is the most dangerous period for a Christian, for he lulls him like no other.

5:8 We, being the [sons] of the day, sober up, clothed in the armor of faith and love and in the helmet of the hope of salvation
What will help a Christian stay awake? Strengthening the armor of faith, God's love for humanity and for each other, as well as the focus and concentration of thoughts on near salvation. All this will help to stay alert and not to stop the life-saving Christian activity.

5:9,10   because God did not determine us in anger, but in receiving salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
   10 He who died for us, that we, whether we are awake, or asleep, live with Him.
Why are Christians a special people and do not have the right to total total euthanasia by the well-being of this world, which was established before its very end? Because a Christian is God's support in the Christian field, instead of living carelessly and carefree, pleasing his own flesh, he is obliged to take care of God's interests, the worthy passage of the field of Christ, for the death of Christ encourages believers to follow in his tracks around the clock - neither night nor day indulge in unclean thoughts or unclean behavior.

5:11 Therefore, exhort one another and edify one another, as you do.
In approaching the day of the Lord, it is especially important to pay attention to each other so that one of those who believe is not well-fed and well-fed, and worldly concerns, and does not fall asleep spiritually. To do this, Christians need to get together and communicate, because without meeting and joint meetings, it will be very difficult to survive to the end.

5:12,13 We ask you, brethren, to respect the working people of you, and your primates in the Lord, and admonishing you,
13 and venerate them primarily with love for their work; be at peace with each other.
Paul draws particular attention to those who, in approaching the day of the Lord, are working for God's people with instruction in the word of God.
   Paul shows why they should be treated with a special sense of appreciation: for their work. For at this time they are not engaged in personal improvement to saturate the flesh, but work on the word of God in order to awaken the mind and saturate the spirit of believers in order to help them stay on the path to God to the very end.

5:14 We also beg you, brethren, admonish the unreasonable, console the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient with everyone.
   Paul foresaw that there would be different believers in Christian meetings. Each of them needed a special approach. It was impossible to allow that the unreasonable (promiscuous, masterful, disobeying the established order, rebellious) prevented the rest from edifying and growing in faith; for the faint-hearted to stumble on the outrage of self-confident Christians or on the difficulties of this world; so that those who are weak in faith are broken by circumstances or the behavior of the atrocities, etc.
   Each category of Christians in the congregation should be taken care of with the patience and severity inherent in Christ, so that the atrocities tame their temper and learn humility, and the weak strengthened in their faith.

5:15 See that no one gives evil to anyone for evil; but always look for good to each other and to everyone.
Respond evil to evil - simple as that: people walk this way. A Christian, through good in response to evil, must learn to acquire all who do evil to him, realizing that he does not have before God and His Christ the right to avenge and do the methods of this world.

5:16 Always rejoice . The Christian always and in any circumstances has a reason for joy: hope for the future, if he stands to the end.

5:17,18 Pray without ceasing.
18 Give thanks for everything: for such is the will of God about you in Christ Jesus.
Prayer always helps to feel the presence of the Almighty near, because a conversation with the real God strengthens, comforts, gives strength and helps to stand in difficult circumstances. Whatever our circumstances, we must learn to thank God for everything, remembering that all the trials of our faith are for the benefit of the Christian, for the formation of perseverance, endurance, self-control, long-suffering and all other qualities of the fruit of the holy spirit in him.

5:19 Do not quench the spirit . A Christian should not quench in himself that spiritual mood with which he begins to zealously serve God. This mood, as Paul writes, we quench in ourselves if we do not listen to the exhortations and exhortations from the word of God: if we reduce our participation in wakefulness over the word of God, in Christian activity, and in keeping ourselves clean and righteous

5:20 Do not disparage prophecies.    A Christian is obliged to keep an eye on all the predictions about the day of the Lord, not neglecting any of them - otherwise, he may “oversleep” the coming of this day.

5:21 Try it all, hold on well .
   A Christian must learn to check everything that he has to face to see if this is pleasing to God. Whether in deeds - or in the teachings of spiritual teachers: he is obliged to test EVERYTHING for God's word. All that is right from the point of view of God (whether in behavior, in deeds, in teachings) - a Christian should adhere. And what is not - to avoid and not to accept for yourself.

5:22 Avoid all sorts of evil .
   Evil can be of various kinds: obvious and secretive, great and not very, in relation to itself - and others. Everything that is wrong from God's point of view - everything is evil no matter how it seems to us. All that is wrong from God's point of view should be strictly avoided.

5:23 May the God of peace himself bless you in its entirety,
Paul wants God to help them, as participants in the heavenly calling, not to leave the zone of spiritual sanctification - into darkness. It makes sense for all Christians to strive to achieve holiness, getting rid of all evil in its entirety (achieving spiritual perfection).

and your spirit and soul and body in its entirety be preserved without vice at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ .
   Paul wishes the whole congregation to work on their own to preserve their integrity, both spiritually and in bodily terms (the desires of sinful flesh should not prevail over their spirit). The Christian Mood ( spirit), the Christian himself with his inner world ( soul), and body  a Christian should be kept clean and holy without pollution by vice.
   If they manage to achieve integrity in this age, it will be good for them at the coming of the Lord
   (they will be accepted by the Lord as co-rulers and will rise in the clouds to meet the Lord, 1 Thess. 4: 16,17)
   (for the meaning of the words "spirit" and "soul" see in detail in the analysis of Genesis 2: 7 and Genesis 1: 20-25)

5:24 Faithful is He who calls you, who will create [these things].
God will certainly help Christians to keep themselves clean and holy - provided that they themselves strive for this without quenching their spirit and without losing their joy in serving Him.

5:25 Brethren! pray for us. The prayer of the righteous can do much .
   If we are imprisoned in difficult circumstances of age, illness, or other bonds of this age, and if it seems to us that we can’t do anything for God and people, we remember that we always have the opportunity to fulfill one very important Christian work - to pray for all our fellow believers . And God knows how much grace will be poured out on Earth through our prayer.

5:26-28 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 I conjure you by the Lord to read this message to all the holy brethren.
   28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
The word “conjure” Paul imposes a solemn duty on readers: all members of this Christian congregation must certainly be acquainted with the contents of this epistle - the apostle considered the principles of the doctrine stated here so important.

5:1-11   The Thessalonians should prepare for the suddenness of the day of the Lord (vv. 2 and 4). The rapture of Christians, referred to in 4.17, will not occur before the advent of the day, which brings sudden and inevitable death to perverted people (see 2 Thess. 2,1 and com.).

5: 2 day of the Lord. Day of the Second Coming of Christ. It is well known from OT (see, for example, Joel. 2,1.31; Am. 5,18; Soph. 1,7.14; Mal. 4,5), where this expression refers to the approximation of the God of Judge. This distinct connection of the Lord’s day with the court was continued in the NC in the relationship of the Last Judgment, reward and retribution (Acts 17.31; Rom. 2.5.16; 2 Cor. 1.14). According to 2 Pet. 3,10-13, on this day, heaven, earth and all elements will be destroyed and give way to a new heaven and a new earth.

how to thaw at night.  See Matt. 24.43.44; 2 Pet. 3.10; Revelation 3.3; 16.15. Paul seems to be familiar, at least, with part of what will later be recorded in the Gospels (Matthew 24.3 - 25.46; Mark 13.3-37; Luke 21.5-36).

5: 9 God did not designate us with anger.  On the contrary, God intended His people to receive salvation and glory in Jesus Christ (1.10; 2 Thess. 2,14). And, however, God intended the Thessalonians and countless other Christians to endure and unwaveringly endure all sorts of trials (3.2-4; 2 Thess. 1.4; James 1.2-4; 1 Pet. 4.12-14; Rev. 1.9). "Anger" in this context clearly means that just condemnation and retribution, which will fall on the "day of wrath ... from God" (Rom. 2.5) on the unrepentant (Eph. 5.6; Col. 3.6; Rev. 6.16.17; 11.18).

5:12   Even at this early stage in the life of the Thessalonian community, there were leaders who carried out spiritual care. Paul reaffirms the legitimacy of veneration of church workers and leaders, calling for "respect your primates in the Lord." Perhaps Paul had in mind here some Thessalonians who were named after other places in the New Testament: Jason (Acts 17.6-9), Aristarchus (Acts 20.4; 27.2; Col. 4.10; Fl. 1.24), Second (Acts 20.4), Gaius (Acts 19.29).

5:14 brothers.  This appeal (as in Article 12) indicates that subsequent exhortations oblige the entire community, and not only its recognized leaders, to mutual responsible service.

unreasonable.  Although the Greek word used here literally means "promiscuous" or "rebellious," the context indicates that it refers to the self-will of some, expressed in the irresponsible refusal to earn a living. Many believe that the reason for this behavior is confidence in the near coming of Christ.

faint-hearted.  The faint-hearted or timid need encouragement, the weak need support (Rom. 14.1; 15.1.2). Everyone needs to serve with patience.

5:15 A Christian is obliged to seek justice for others (Isa. 56.1; 58.6-8), but in accordance with Christian ethics, following the example of Christ (1 Pet. 2.21-23), he should refrain from revenge for himself (Matthew 5 38-42; Romans 12.17-21; 1 Cor. 6.7; 1 Pet. 3.9).

5:19-21   On the one hand, Paul exhorts the Thessalonians not to quench the Spirit of God with a neglect of legally pronounced prophecies. On the other hand, he stipulates that no claim to divination should be accepted on faith (2 Thess. 2.2; 1 Cor. 14.29).

5: 23-24 let him sanctify.  A complete correction of all human imperfections is not only possible, but also certain. It depends on God who is faithful and will fulfill it (v. 24). However, the time factor should be considered. Full perfection, of which the glorified body will also become a part, will be achieved at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1.6).

5:23 your spirit and soul and body.  These words express the fullness of the human person. Most often in Scripture, “spirit” and “soul” are actually used as synonyms that define the spiritual side of a person. Sometimes (here and in Hebrews 4.12) they are used simultaneously, although it is difficult to say what their difference is. Compare the four-part image: “heart”, “soul”, “understanding” and “fortress” in Mk. 12.30.

5:27 I conjure you.  The strong Greek verb used here is very rare. Paul imposes a solemn duty on the readers: the whole community must certainly be acquainted with the content of this epistle - the apostle considered the principles of the doctrine stated here so important.