6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 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. “(1 Thessalonians 5:6–8 (ESV)
The Apostle Paul used three metaphors encouraging believers in Christ to prepare themselves for the coming (Parousia) of the Lord Jesus Christ. He wrote for the Thessalonians to not sleep, to be awake and to be sober. Obviously, Paul was not being literal in these instructions. What then did the apostle, and the Holy Spirit, mean by using these three metaphors and how did they apply in the early church and also the church today?
“So then let us not sleep, as others do ,.. For those who sleep, sleep at night.” Sleep (καθεύδωμεν; katheudomen) is a present, active verb. Depending upon the literary context, the verb sleep can mean one of three things. (1) to speak of natural sleep, (2) to refer to moral or spiritual inactivity, and (3) to refer to death. The second meaning concerning spiritual inactivity is what the Apostle Paul had in mind in today’s text. He encouraged the Thessalonian believers to not be spiritual inactive regarding the coming of Christ.
Paul further indicated those who sleep, sleep at night. This metaphorically meant to be spiritually inactive continuously. The apostle cautioned believers to not be complacent in their walk with Christ; especially concerning the Lord’s glorious return of blessing and judgment.
“…but let us keep awake.” This phrase “let us keep awake” (γρηγορῶμεν; gregoromen) is also a present, active verb. It means to presently and actively be vigilant watchful and on the alert for the Lord’s return. It is the direct opposite behavior of the spiritual complacent and inactive.
“…And be sober… those who get drunk, are drunk at night.” To be sober (νήφωμεν; nephomen) is also a present, active verb. It means to be sober-minded and to be well composed in one’s thinking. It is an attitude of self-restraint. To be drunk (μεθυσκόμενοι; methyskomenoi) means to be intoxicated and reckless.
Paul then provided a cause-and-effect application for all believers in Christ for all times. He wrote, “But since we belong to the day.” This is a preceding causal statement. It also serves as a contrast to those who are spiritually inactive and uninterested in the Lord’s coming. The apostle includes himself, Silas and Timothy into the equation.
To belong (ὄντες; ontes) means believers are to presently, actively and collectively possess certain characteristics, whether inherent or transitory—of Christlikeness. This is what believers in Christ are to be and not just do. Paul provided further detail of these Christlikeness characteristics later in this final chapter.
What, or to whom, do believers belong? We belong to the day (ἡμέρας; hemeras). This metaphorically continues the contrast between the drunken revelers of the night and the spiritually awake and aware Christians who labor for the Lord during the day.
It is because of this position, Paul encouraged all believers, including himself, to be presently and actively sober (νήφωμεν; nephomen). This is the effect portion of his encouragement. To be sober means to be, self-controlled, restrained and godly in behavior. To do so requires the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-20). Paul mentioned only two pieces, but one suspects he had each item he listed to the Ephesians in his mind to the Thessalonians.
“By the exercise of calm and steadfast faith in and love for God in Christ—which in the midst of a wicked world becomes an aggressive testimony—the watchful and sober person wards off the poisonous arrows of temptation. He puts on faith (“a certain knowledge of God and of his promises … and a hearty confidence that all his sins are forgiven him for Christ’s sake”) and love (the yielding of the self to God, the object of his delight, in the spirit of joy and gratitude) just like a warrior would put on his breastplate,” comments Dr. William Hendriksen.
“Since salvation is here an eschatological concept, it is understandable that the apostle speaks about “the hope of salvation,” for hope ever looks to the future. It is the confident and firmly anchored assurance that the full inheritance will one day be ours.”
“The most important of these in the present context is the hope of salvation, and it rests on the conviction that believers have not been destined by God for the wrath that faces sinners but to receive salvation, here understood primarily as the future experience of deliverance from wrath. This deliverance is possible because of the death of Jesus for them. Paul does not explain here how it produces this effect, but elsewhere it is clear that Jesus has borne their sins and endured judgment on their behalf (Rom. 3:24–26; 2 Cor. 5:19–21). Consequently, they will share his life—and this will be true both for faithful believers who are still alive when he comes and for those who died trusting in Christ. With this hope before them, the readers should help one another by offering mutual encouragement and doing whatever else would help to make their faith strong,” states Dr. I Howard Marshall in the New Bible Commentary.
It is a good thing to be excited about the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. However, believers in Christ are also to be equally fervent for the spiritual tasks at hand in serving the Lord. This involves worship, evangelism, discipleship, fellowship and ministry. Remember, the Thessalonians were known for their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope in the Lord Jesus (I Thess. 1:3). May this be also said of us.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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