1 Thessalonians 5:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.

NIV: For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

NASB: For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night.

CSB: For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

NLT: Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.

KJV: For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

NKJV: For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

Paul has discussed the abrupt nature of the rapture (1 Thessalonians 5:2–3) and begun to explain how Christians should live differently from the unbelieving world (1 Thessalonians 5:4–6).

In this verse Paul makes a general observation that sleeping and getting drunk are actions associated with nighttime and darkness. So unbelievers—the children of darkness—are not conscious of their lost condition. They are neither alert to spiritual truth nor in control of their emotions and actions. In contrast, Christians should not sleep on the job, but should avoid laziness, lethargy, and apathy (Proverbs 6:10–11).

In Romans 13:11 Paul summons his readers to awake from sluggishness because "… salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed." In his letter to the lethargic Laodicean church, Jesus offered this reprimand: "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:15–16).

Also, the children of light should not be controlled by any earthly thing which can enslave or affect their minds; alcohol is the clearest example of this danger. Rather, believers should be under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 commands: "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit."

First Thessalonians 5:1–11 informs believers about the day of the Lord. This phrase refers both to the moment of the rapture as well as the seven-year tribulation period that follows the rapture. The passage assures us that believers will not experience the tribulation. The day of the Lord will commence unexpectedly, like the arrival of a thief at night. It is described as a time of darkness with dreadful consequences. Unbelievers, identified as those who belong to the night, will be overtaken by destruction. But believers are, symbolically, of the day not the night. They are not the objects of God's wrath, but are destined to receive a full rescue from the day of God's wrath. In view of their exemption from the day of the Lord, believers ought to encourage and edify one another.

First Thessalonians chapter 5 reiterates that the rapture will occur quickly, catching the unbelieving world unprepared. In contrast, Paul presents faithful Christians as those who are aware and ready for this event. This passage uses the contrast of day versus night to highlight those differences. Paul also completes his letter by offering various practical instructions. These include the need to be peaceful, hardworking, and forgiving. He also commends constant prayer and an attitude of joyfulness, before closing his letter with a command for this letter to be read aloud.

The end of chapter 4 discussed the nature of the rapture: a sudden, physical ''taking away'' of believers from the earth. Here, Paul continues to refer to this event's sudden and dramatic nature. A key analogy used in this passage is that of daytime versus darkness, and the concept of being awake and alert. As with many of Paul's letters, practical instructions make up the bulk of his closing statements. In particular, Paul adds a command that this letter be read aloud among all of the people of the Thessalonian church.

The apostle Paul's second missionary journey included a visit to the prominent Greek city of Thessalonica. This stood alongside a major land route and boasted a busy seaport. A number of individuals believed Paul's message (Acts 17:1–4), but an angry mob forced Paul to leave the city after his brief stay. Later, while in Athens, Paul received a glowing report: the believers at Thessalonica were growing spiritually and serving God fervently. However, they had questions about the Lord's return, including what happens to a believer who dies before that day. And, as all churches do, they had some areas in which they were falling short. In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, written about AD 51, he addresses these developments. Paul expresses gratitude for the Thessalonian believers' spiritual progress, and frequently makes references to Christ's impending return.