RSV ~ 1 Thessalonians 5 Notes

1 Thess 5:1-11 | ISB Notes

Continuing his reflections on the Second Coming, Paul adds a warning that believers must be watchful and ready. Christ will return unexpectedly, so unless we live in the light and arm ourselves with divine virtues (5:8), we will be taken by surprise and delivered to sudden destruction (5:3). His words discourage attempts to speculate about the precise timing of Christ’s return (CCC 672-73, 2849).

1 Thess 5:1 | ISB Notes

the times and the seasons: An expression used elsewhere in Acts 1:7 in the NT and Dan 2:21 in the OT. In both contexts, it refers to predetermined dates when God establishes kingdoms.

1 Thess 5:2 | ISB Notes

day of the Lord: The appointed day when Christ the Lord will come again as Savior (Heb 9:28) and Judge (Mt 25:31-46). Paul does not know when this day will arrive; he knows only some of the signs that will lead up to it (2 Thess 2:1-12). Liturgically, this final and fateful day is anticipated every Lord’s day, when believers gather for eucharistic worship (Rev 1:10) and receive either blessings or curses at Christ’s table (Jn 6:54; 1 Cor 11:27-32). Historically, it is prefigured by the return of Jesus to judge Israel and Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

like a thief: i.e., suddenly and unexpectedly (Mt 24:43-44; Rev 3:3).

1 Thess 5:3 | ISB Notes

peace and security: The slogan of the foolish and unprepared (Jer 6:14).

destruction: Not annihilation or extinction, but eternal separation from God (2 Thess 1:9).

labor pains: The wicked will be seized with sudden contractions of pain that will intensify and never subside (Hos 13:12-13).

1 Thess 5:5 | ISB Notes

sons of light: A Semitic way of saying “sons of goodness, righteousness, and truth” (Eph 5:8-9). The struggle between light and darkness as forces of good and evil is a prominent theme in Jewish tradition (Dead Sea Scrolls) and the NT (Jn 1:4-9; Acts 26:18; Rom 13:12-13; 1 Jn 1:5-7) (CCC 1216).

1 Thess 5:8 | ISB Notes

breastplate … helmet: The virtues of faith, hope, and love are the defensive gear of the believer, protecting the head and heart during the battles of life. These conflicts are engaged not only with the passions and enticements of the world, but also with demonic spirits that seek our demise (Eph 6:13-17). Paul often reminds readers of their spiritual armory in Christ (Rom 13:12; 2 Cor 6:7; 10:3-4). See note on 1 Thess 1:3.

1 Thess 5:10 | ISB Notes

who died for us: Even in a letter dominated by the hope of Christ’s return, Paul never loses sight of Christ’s redemptive death.

1 Thess 5:12 | ISB Notes

over you in the Lord: A hierarchical ministry of leadership was already in place in Thessalonica. This is not surprising, since it was Paul’s policy to ordain presbyters (priests) to shepherd the flock in his missionary churches (Acts 14:23; Tit 1:5). The spiritual oversight of these pastors entitles them to the respect and submission of the laity (CCC 1269).

• Love priests as children love their fathers. Through them you have received an eternal generation, you have obtained the kingdom, and the gates of heaven are swung open to you. If you love Christ and the kingdom of heaven, then acknowledge through whom you obtained it (St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 Thessalonians 10).

1 Thess 5:14 | ISB Notes

admonish the idle: Paul has no sympathy for freeloaders who expect to eat but are unwilling to work. This is an embarrassing problem in Thessalonica and needs to be addressed firmly by the congregation (2Thess 3:6-13). See note on 1 Thess 4:11.

1 Thess 5:15 | ISB Notes

evil for evil: The gospel forbids personal retaliation (Mt 5:38-42; Rom 12:17-19).

1 Thess 5:17 | ISB Notes

pray constantly: i.e., pray regularly, but we should also allow the spirit of prayer and praise to envelop our work and daily activities (Eph 6:18). Whatever we do can be done for the greater glory of God (Col 3:17) (CCC 1174, 2743).

1 Thess 5:19 | ISB Notes

Do not quench the Spirit: i.e., by resisting the movement of the Spirit and the exercise of his gifts (1 Cor 12:4-11). Paul’s only proviso is that they test prophesies and alleged revelations to make sure they line up with the truths of the gospel (Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 14:29) (CCC 696, 799-801).

• When a person is moved by the Spirit to do something generous, and someone else impedes him, the one who impedes quenches the Spirit. Also, when someone commits mortal sin, the Spirit ceases to abide in him. A third way to quench the Spirit is to conceal our gifts instead of using them for the benefit of others (St. Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5, 2).

1 Thess 5:23 | ISB Notes

spirit and soul and body: Paul is emphasizing the wholeness of the person without intending to make precise distinctions between his component parts. A certain distinction can be made, however, if we understand the body as the material frame, the soul as its immaterial principle of life, and the spirit as the human capacity for prayer and worship (Rom 1:9; 1 Cor 14:15; CCC 367).

1 Thess 5:26 | ISB Notes

a holy kiss: An outward sign of fraternal affection (Rom 16:16; 1 Pet 5:14).

1 Thess 5:27 | ISB Notes

I adjure you: Paul is putting his readers under oath to ensure that his written instructions are made known to every member of the Church. The eucharistic liturgy was the most suitable context for a public reading of the letter (1 Tim 4:13).