Pentecost Season · Proper 28 · Year A
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
The Coming of the Lord
November 15, 2026
Overview & Insights
“You are all children of the light… so then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5–6)
Although the formula, “Now about …” (peri de), which sometimes appears to have marked Paul’s answers to questions (see disc. on 4:9) does not occur, 4:13–18 is probably his answer to a question about the fate of deceased believers. From the teaching the missionaries gave while they were still with them, the Thessalonians would have known the general eschatological scenario that Paul unfolds in these verses, but at least some of them were still unsure where the Christian dead fitted into it. They may have understood that all believers would live to see the Parousia; and, now that some had died, they were anxious for their sake. Would they be disadvantaged? Or worse, would they be disqualified from sharing in the glory of that day? Paul answers that question in verse 17.
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Take it further: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Commentary
Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11Commentary on 1 Thes 5:1-11 Working Preacher
The Lutheran home commentary on this Year A reading by a named seminary scholar.
1 Thessalonians 5 - Living as Children of the Day1 Thes 5 - Living as Children of the Day Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse-by-verse evangelical study of the day of the Lord and staying awake and sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:1 Commentaries1 Thes 5:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on the thief in the night and the armor of faith.
1 Thessalonians 5:1 Verse-by-Verse Commentary1 Thes 5:1 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight
A large library of expositors stacked verse by verse for a further voice on the passage.
Background & Word Study
1 Thessalonians 5 (Matthew Henry Complete)1 Thes 5 (Mt Henry Complete) Bible Study Tools
Matthew Henry's full exposition of the chapter for a classic devotional reading of watchfulness.
1 Thessalonians 5:1 Interlinear1 Thes 5:1 Interlinear BibleHub
The Greek of the passage word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers, including the words for day and night.
1 Thessalonians Overview1 Thes Overview BibleProject
An animated overview of 1 Thessalonians that frames the call to watchful, encouraging life.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What is the day of the Lord here?
Paul says the day of the Lord comes “like a thief in the night,” so believers, children of light, should stay awake and sober, encouraging one another (1 Thessalonians 5:1–11).
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