1 Thessalonians 5:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

NIV: But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

NASB: But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you like a thief;

CSB: But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief.

NLT: But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

KJV: But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

NKJV: But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.

Paul is describing the rapture and its aftermath to the Christians at Thessalonica. Earlier, he referred to the moment when Christ will remove all believers from the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:15–17), an event now referred to as "the rapture." Following that will come the day of the Lord—in this case, a reference to the tribulation. This is a period of God's wrath and judgment on the earth.

For unbelievers, the day of the Lord is a time of darkness. The prophet Joel warned about the coming of this era. He wrote: "Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD. Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes" (Joel 1:14–15). In Joel 2:1–2 we read: "Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! …"

Fortunately for believers, the tribulation will not take them by surprise like the arrival of a thief, because believers do not belong to the darkness. First Peter 2:9 informs us that God has called believers out of darkness. Symbolically, in this passage, those who belong to the light are Christians: those who have put their faith in Jesus.

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.