The Eastern Cross/Bible/1 Thessalonians/Chapter 5
The First Epistle of St. Paul to the Thessalonians
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But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
Περὶ δὲ τῶν χρόνων καὶ τῶν καιρῶν, ἀδελφοί, οὐ χρείαν ἔχετε ὑμῖν γράφεσθαι·
"But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that aught be written unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." Nothing, as it seems, is so curious, and so fondly prone to pry into things obscure and concealed, as the nature of men. And…
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀκριβῶς οἴδατε ὅτι ἡ ἡμέρα Κυρίου ὡς κλέπτης ἐν νυκτὶ οὕτως ἔρχεται.
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
ὅταν γὰρ λέγωσιν, εἰρήνη καὶ ἀσφάλεια, τότε αἰφνίδιος αὐτοῖς ἐφίσταται ὄλεθρος, ὥσπερ ἡ ὠδὶν τῇ ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσῃ, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἐκφύγωσιν.
"When they are saying peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in nowise escape." Here he has glanced at something which he has also said in his second Epistle. For since they indeed were in affliction, but they that warred on them at ease and in…
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
ὑμεῖς δέ, ἀδελφοί, οὐκ ἐστὲ ἐν σκότει, ἵνα ἡ ἡμέρα ὑμᾶς ὡς κλέπτης καταλάβῃ·
"But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." Here he speaks of a life that is dark and impure. For it is just as corrupt and wicked men do all things as in the night, escaping the notice of all, and inclosing themselves in darkness. For tell me, does not the adulterer watch…
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
πάντες ὑμεῖς υἱοὶ φωτός ἐστε καὶ υἱοὶ ἡμέρας. οὐκ ἐσμὲν νυκτὸς οὐδὲ σκότους.
"For ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day." And how is it possible to be "sons of the day"? Just as it is said, "sons of destruction" and "sons of hell." Wherefore Christ also said to the Pharisees, "Woe unto you-for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is become so, ye make him a son of…
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
Ἄρα οὖν μὴ καθεύδωμεν ὡς καὶ οἱ λοιποί, ἀλλὰ γρηγορῶμεν καὶ νήφωμεν.
"So then let us not sleep, as do also the rest, but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night." Here he shows, that to be in the day depends on ourselves. For here indeed, in the case of the present day and night, it does not depend on…
For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
οἱ γὰρ καθεύδοντες νυκτὸς καθεύδουσι, καὶ οἱ μεθυσκόμενοι νυκτὸς μεθύουσιν·
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.
ὑμεῖς δὲ ἡμέρας ὄντες νήφωμεν, ἐνδυσάμενοι θώρακα πίστεως καὶ ἀγάπης καὶ περικεφαλαίαν ἐλπίδα σωτηρίας·
"But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet the hope of salvation." But it is not sufficient to watch and be sober, we must also be armed. For if a man watch and is sober, but has not arms, the robbers soon dispatch him. "Putting on the breastplate of…
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
ὅτι οὐκ ἔθετο ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς εἰς ὀργήν, ἀλλ᾽ εἰς περιποίησιν σωτηρίας διὰ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ,
"For God appointed us not unto wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us." Thus God has not inclined to this, that He might destroy us, but that He might save us. And whence is it manifest that this is His will? He has given His own Son for us. So does He desire that we…
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
τοῦ ἀποθανόντος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, ἵνα εἴτε γρηγορῶμεν εἴτε καθεύδωμεν ἅμα σὺν αὐτῷ ζήσωμεν.
"That, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do." And again, "whether we wake or sleep"; by sleep there he means one thing, and here another. For here, "whether we sleep" signifies the death of the body; that is, fear not…
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Διὸ παρακαλεῖτε ἀλλήλους καὶ οἰκοδομεῖτε εἷς τὸν ἕνα, καθὼς καὶ ποιεῖτε.
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
Ἐρωτῶμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, εἰδέναι τοὺς κοπιῶντας ἐν ὑμῖν καὶ προϊσταμένους ὑμῶν ἐν Κυρίῳ καὶ νουθετοῦντας ὑμᾶς,
"But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves." For Christ indeed has subjected them with so strict a necessity, that He says, "The Scribes and the…
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
καὶ ἡγεῖσθαι αὐτοὺς ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ διὰ τὸ ἔργον αὐτῶν. εἰρηνεύετε ἐν ἑαυτοῖς.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Παρακαλοῦμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, νουθετεῖτε τοὺς ἀτάκτους, παραμυθεῖσθε τοὺς ὀλιγοψύχους, ἀντέχεσθε τῶν ἀσθενῶν, μακροθυμεῖτε πρὸς πάντας.
"And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, be long suffering toward all." Here he addresses those who have rule. Admonish, he says, "the disorderly," not of imperiousness, he says, nor of self-will rebuke them, but with admonition. "Encourage the fainthearted,…
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
ὁρᾶτε μή τις κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ τινι ἀποδῷ, ἀλλὰ πάντοτε τὸ ἀγαθὸν διώκετε καὶ εἰς ἀλλήλους καὶ εἰς πάντας.
"See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but alway follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all." If we ought not to render evil for evil, much less evil for good; much less, when evil has not been previously done, to render evil. Such an one, you say, is a bad man, and has aggrieved…
Rejoice evermore.
Πάντοτε χαίρετε,
"Rejoice alway." This is said with respect to the temptations that bring in affliction. Hear ye, as many as have fallen into poverty, or into distressing circumstances. For from these joy is engendered. For when we possess such a soul that we take revenge on no one, but do good to all, whence, tell me, will the sting…
Pray without ceasing.
ἀδιαλείπτως προσεύχεσθε,
"Pray without ceasing; In every thing giving thanks: for this is the will of God." Always to give thanks, this is a mark of a philosophic soul. Hast thou suffered any evil? But if thou wilt, it is no evil. Give thanks to God, and the evil is changed into good. Say thou also as Job said, "Blessed be the name of the…
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
ἐν παντὶ εὐχαριστεῖτε· τοῦτο γὰρ θέλημα Θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ εἰς ὑμᾶς.
Quench not the Spirit.
τὸ Πνεῦμα μὴ σβέννυτε,
A thick mist, a darkness and cloud is spread over all the earth. And, showing this, the Apostle said, "For we were once darkness." (Eph. v. 8) And again, "Ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." Since therefore there is, so to speak, a moonless night, and we walk in that…
Despise not prophesyings.
προφητείας μὴ ἐξουθενεῖτε.
But there is also another explanation. There were among them many indeed who prophesied truly, but some prophesied falsely. For the devil, of his vile craft, wished through this gift of grace to subvert everything pertaining to the Church. For since both the demon and the Spirit prophesied concerning the future, the…
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἁγιάσαι ὑμᾶς ὁλοτελεῖς, καὶ ὁλόκληρον ὑμῶν τὸ πνεῦμα καὶ ἡ ψυχὴ καὶ τὸ σῶμα ἀμέμπτως ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τηρηθείη.
"And the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Observe the affection of the Teacher. After the admonition he adds a prayer; not only that, but even introduces it in his letter. For we need both counsel…
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
πιστὸς ὁ καλῶν ὑμᾶς, ὃς καὶ ποιήσει.
"Faithful is He that calleth you, who will also do it." Observe his humility. For, because he had prayed, Think not, he says, that this happens from my prayers, but from the purpose, with which He called you. For if He called you to salvation, and He is true, He will certainly save you, in that He wills it.
Brethren, pray for us.
Ἀδελφοί, προσεύχεσθε περὶ ἡμῶν.
"Brethren, pray for us also." Strange! what humility is here! But he indeed said this for the sake of humility, but we, not from humility, but for the sake of great benefit, and wishing to gain some great profit from you, say, "Pray for us also." For although you do not receive any great or wonderful benefit from us,…
Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
Ἀσπάσασθε τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς πάντας ἐν φιλήματι ἁγίῳ.
"Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss." Oh! what fervor! Oh! what mad passion is here! Because being absent he could not greet them with the kiss, he greets them through others, as when we say, Kiss him for me. So also do ye yourselves retain the fire of love. For it does not admit of distances, but even through…
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
Ὁρκίζω ὑμᾶς τὸν Κύριον ἀναγνωσθῆναι τὴν ἐπιστολὴν πᾶσι τοῖς ἁγίοις ἀδελφοῖς.
"I adjure you by the Lord that this Epistle be read unto all the holy brethren." And this command is rather from love, and not so much in the way of teaching; that with them also, he means, I may be conversing. And he does not merely command, but adjures them, and this from a fervent mind, that even though they should…
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Ἡ χάρις τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν· ἀμήν.
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." And he closes the Epistle with a benediction, praying that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with them. For grace is that which we need above all things, both in the present life and in the life to come.
Every note is a real passage, quoted word for word from a published English translation, with its source. Nothing here is summarised or written by us. Some verses have many notes and some have none, because the Fathers wrote more on some passages than others.
All of these translations are in the public domain. The passages were matched to their verses by the Historical Christian Commentaries project, which also hosts the full texts we link to. The Fathers are a treasury of the Church's mind, and they are best read alongside the life of the Church: if a passage raises a question, bring it to your priest.