1 Thessalonians Chapter 5 Overview
Written by LaRosa Johnson
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
We have walked through 1 Thessalonians chapter by chapter, surveying the contents of Paul's epistle. In many ways, we have seen that this is one big thank you letter to Thessalonica Bible Church from the Apostle Paul. Today, we conclude our overview with a survey of chapter five. It is in this chapter that Paul gives some final words of encouragement to these believers before closing his letter. If we are all walking in the Light, let us begin our study.
Much like chapter four, in this chapter, Paul offers three major points that he wants the Thessalonian believers to meditate upon. These three areas include: 1) the coming Day of the Lord (vv. 1-11), 2) instruction on holy living (vv. 12-22), and finally 3) a benediction to close the letter (vv. 23-28). Like before, we will paint a picture with a broad brush as we grab a general overview of what it is that Paul is addressing in these passages of Scripture.
In transitioning from the teaching on the rapture, which closed chapter four, Paul opens the final section of this letter with teaching concerning the coming Day of the Lord. In addressing this topic, the first thing that Paul points out is that, like the rapture, it is imminent and has no prophetic warnings or signs associated with it. It is compared to a thief coming in the night; in other words, you don't know when it's going to take place, and it can happen at any moment. We will reserve specific teaching regarding the Day of the Lord to our verse-by-verse study, but know that this commences with a period of tribulation for Israel and culminates with the reign of Jesus Christ. It is important to note, though, that there is a very important issue of context, as the rapture takes place before the Day of the Lord occurs; this is noted in the "they" (5:3) and "you," "we," and "us" (5:4, 5, 6).
The Day of the Lord aside, the true emphasis on this passage is the contrast between believers and unbelievers. Paul admonishes the Thessalonians believers to be sober and on constantly on guard. He contrasts this with the unbelievers who are asleep and drunken, completely unaware of what is going on around them. Instead, we ought to be watchful, anticipating the return on the Lord, realizing that we will not have to face the troubles to come that accompany the Day of the Lord.
After addressing that issue, Paul then moves forward and continues where he left off in the first half of chapter four, when he was warning them against complacency. It's here that Paul gives them instruction on how to live out that life of purity and sanctification. Before getting into that specific instruction, Paul briefly pauses to bring attention to the proper grace attitude that believers should have toward their spiritual leaders. After that, Paul offers a series of fourteen imperatives that outline how a believer should conduct him/herself in the Christian way of life. In all, each imperative gives us a glimpse of how a Christian should be laboring in their love for one another; and, if they live by these imperatives, they will be in a position to greatly glorify Jesus Christ.
Once Paul has concluded all of his doctrinal instruction, he then closes his letter with a God glorifying benediction. In this benediction, Paul prays for God the Father's faithfulness toward Thessalonica Bible Church and encourages them to do the same for him. The letter then concludes with greetings of love for all the believers, encouraging them to diligently study the Word of God and to be filled with the grace of Jesus Christ.
That is how Paul concludes his letter to Thessalonica Bible Church, and that is how we will also conclude our overview of this epistle's chapters. When we come back, we will go back to 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and begin our verse-by-verse study of this epistle. Now that we have a broad understanding of what this letter entails, we are adequately equipped to dive in and get into the depths of teaching that our verse-by-verse study will bring. Until then, keep walking in the light and loving one another!
devotion courtesy of Trailblazin Ministries
http://www.trailblazinministries.com/devotions/1thess009
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