1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

This passage occurs in the Revised Common Lectionary, Year A, most recently November 15, 2020.

Summary:  Hard words about the end times. Some nuggets below, although I doubt most of you will preach on this, although there is some really good material, especially about building up the Kingdom one person at a time.

Key Words/Constructions

ειρηνη και ασφαλεια (meaning 'peace and safety', 5:3)  These words are heard in every political cycle -- it is the basic promise of government, to provide us peace and safety.  Can it ever be delivered?  I wonder also, at whose cost do we accept peace and safety?  

ολεθρος (meaning "destruction", 5.3)  It is fairly rare in the NT (4x; only in Paul). This word only occurs, it seems, in connection with the destruction that God brings in judgment.

ενδυσαμενοι (aorist participle meaning "put on", 5:3).  This verb is not in the imperative.  It should be translated "let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love."  (θωρακα πιστεως και αγαπης)  Calm and collect thinking grows out of faith and love!   More technical grammar note:  The verb is in the aorist tense.  the actions of aorist participles precede the other verbs in the sentence). 

περιποιησις (meaning "preserve", 5:9).  This is really interesting.  This word can mean "obtain" but also "preserve."  In this case, the idea is that God's wrath will come upon all, but we will be protected -- our souls will be preserved.  The image almost seems to me akin to the angel of death in Revelation.

εις τον ενα (meaning one on one, 5:11).  Paul commends people to comfort one another (παρακαλεω) and then build each other up (οικοδομεω) one on one.  This is a week in which I feel a call to change the world.  Paul reminds us that this happens as the community builds each other up, one by one. 

Grammar review

5.3-5.6 have four different types of subjunctive clauses.  In Greek, you cannot simply say, oh, subjunctive means probable.  Each type of subjunctive clause and construction must be mapped into its English tranlation.

a) οταν:  An "hotan" clause = whenever 

b) ου μη:  A "ou mh" clause with the verb εκφευγω (flee), which suggests that they will NEVER flee. 

c) ινα:  A "hena" clause which suggests result or purpose (in order that the day might be a surprise). 

d) -ω-: An "horatory subjunctive" in 5.6 "Let us not sleep."