1 Thessalonians 5:1

The Day of the Lord

1 Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you. ¹

1 Thessalonians 5:1 Meaning and Commentary

1 Thessalonians 5:1

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 ) ( Acts 1:6 Acts 1:7 ) . The Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions read, "ye have no need that we write unto you"; the reason follows;

1 Thessalonians 5:1 In-Context

1 Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you.

2 For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

3 While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.

5 For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

Cross References

• 1. (Zephaniah 1:7–18; Malachi 4:1–6; 2 Peter 3:8–13)