1 Thessalonians 5:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

NIV: But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

NASB: But since we are of the day, let’s be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

CSB: But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation.

NLT: But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

KJV: But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

NKJV: But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

Paul has discussed the imminent, abrupt rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18) and how Christians ought to live, given that truth. In the prior verse, Paul noted that sleep and drunkenness are typically associated with the night, and both lead a person to be careless and unaware. Since believers are "children of light, children of the day," we ought to be aware and self-controlled, instead (1 Thessalonians 5:5–7).

In view of the fact that Paul's readers belong to the day, he summons them to practice self-discipline and to act like soldiers. He calls upon them to wear the breastplate of faith and love. A soldier's breastplate offered protection for his chest. The breastplate of faith and love protects Christians. Faith and love for God and others guards our hearts. These two qualities give us courage to face the enemy and grace to share God's love with others.

Paul also appeals to his readers to wear a helmet—the hope of salvation. A firm anticipation of being completely delivered from sin's influence and presence at the rapture protects our minds. We do not succumb to the Devil's attacks on our thinking if we wear the helmet of salvation. In 2 Corinthians 11:3 Paul charges the Devil with deceiving Eve, expressing concern that Satan might distract the Corinthians' minds from "a sincere and pure devotion to Christ."

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.