1 Thessalonians 5:2 kjv
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 nkjv
For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 niv
for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 esv
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 nlt
For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew 24:43 | "But know this, that if the master of the house had known... he would have watched and not let his house be broken into." | Fulfillment of this unknown timing |
| Mark 13:32 | "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." | Confirmation of the unknown timing |
| Luke 12:39 | "But know this: if the owner of the house had known... he would not have let his house be broken into." | Parable illustrating the unexpectedness |
| 2 Peter 3:10 | "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar..." | Echoes the thief imagery |
| Revelation 3:3 | "If you will not awake, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you." | Reiterates the unexpected approach |
| Acts 1:7 | "He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.'" | Direct statement on not knowing timing |
| John 13:1 | "Now before the Feast of Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father..." | Jesus’ awareness of His appointed time |
| Matthew 25:13 | "Watch therefore, for you do not know the day or the hour." | Direct command related to preparedness |
| Isaiah 13:6 | "Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; it will come as a destruction from the Almighty." | Prophetic anticipation of suddenness |
| Jeremiah 46:10 | "For that day is the day of the Lord God of hosts, a day of vengeance, to avenge himself of his adversaries." | Vengeance associated with the Lord's Day |
| Ezekiel 30:3 | "For the day is near, the day of the Lord is near, a day of clouds, a day of battle..." | Description of the Day of the Lord |
| Joel 2:2 | "a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness!" | Imagery of an impending event |
| Amos 5:18 | "Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why do you want the day of the Lord? It will be darkness and not light," | Consequences for those not prepared |
| Zephaniah 1:7 | "Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near..." | Call to stillness before the day |
| Malachi 4:5 | "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes." | Messianic prophecy linked to the Day |
| 1 Corinthians 1:8 | "who will sustain you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." | Prayer for steadfastness unto the end |
| Philippians 1:6 | "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will continue it until the day of Jesus Christ." | Confidence in God's preserving work |
| Hebrews 10:25 | "not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." | Importance of community in light of the Day |
| 1 John 2:28 | "And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears, we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming." | Living in Christ ensures confidence at His return |
| Romans 13:11 | "Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber..." | Exhortation to spiritual alertness |
1 Thessalonians 5 verses
1 Thessalonians 5 2 Meaning
The verse signifies that the exact timing of the Lord's return is unknown, even to believers, and will come suddenly and unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5 2 Context
This verse is part of a larger section in 1 Thessalonians 5 (verses 1-11) that addresses the timing of Christ's second coming and the need for believers to be vigilant and prepared. Paul is instructing the Thessalonians on how to live as children of light, in contrast to those who live in darkness. He emphasizes that while the exact day and hour are not revealed, the event itself is certain and will be a time of judgment for the ungodly and deliverance for believers.
1 Thessalonians 5 2 Word Analysis
Word:oida (οἶδα)
- Meaning: To know, to perceive, to understand.
- Significance: Implies a complete and assured knowledge. In this context, it is used to state what is definitively not known.
Word: autos (αὐτός)
- Meaning: He, himself.
- Significance: Refers back to the "Lord" (Kyrios) mentioned in the preceding verse.
Word: hemera (ἡμέρα)
- Meaning: Day.
- Significance: Refers to a specific period of time, in this instance, the Day of the Lord or the day of Christ's return.
Word: kyrios (κύριος)
- Meaning: Lord.
- Significance: A title of respect and authority, often used for God and Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
Word: para (παρά)
- Meaning: From, beside.
- Significance: Indicates the source of the knowledge or lack thereof.
Word: ginosko (γινώσκω)
- Meaning: To know, to be acquainted with, to recognize.
- Significance: While similar to "oida," "ginosko" often implies a more experiential or relational knowledge. Here, it's stated that even this kind of intimate knowing is not possessed by believers concerning the exact time.
Word: pros (πρός)
- Meaning: To, toward, for.
- Significance: Indicates the direction or purpose related to the knowing.
Word: phos (φῶς)
- Meaning: Light.
- Significance: Symbolizes understanding, truth, and righteousness, contrasting with darkness.
Word: anathema (ἀνάθεμα)
- Meaning: A curse, accursed thing, devoted to destruction.
- Significance: Not present in verse 2. This is a common word in Paul's letters (e.g., 1 Cor 12:3; 16:22) that indicates something set apart for destruction or condemnation, usually referring to heretics or the lost. It does not appear in 1 Thess 5:2.
Phrase/Words-group: "oida autos hemera kyrios" (οἶδα αὐτὸς ἡμέρα Κύριος)
- Analysis: "He himself knows the day of the Lord." This statement emphasizes God's absolute foreknowledge and sovereignty over the timing of His return. This divine knowledge is not shared with humanity.
Phrase/Words-group: "pros phos" (πρός φῶς)
- Analysis: "Toward light." This signifies a condition or characteristic of the knowledge being possessed by those associated with "light" – the believers. However, in verse 2, the point is precisely that this specific knowledge (the day and hour) is not possessed by them. It sets up a contrast: believers live in light and await the coming day, but they don't know its precise timing.
1 Thessalonians 5 2 Bonus Section
The contrast drawn in these verses (specifically v. 2 and the subsequent ones) between "children of light" and those who are not is significant. While believers do not know the timing, their lifestyle is characterized by living "in the light." This means they are living according to God's revealed truth, in fellowship with Christ, and actively pursuing righteousness. Those in "darkness," however, are characterized by ignorance and unpreparedness for the Lord's return. This emphasis on spiritual readiness and discerning the "times and seasons" (Acts 1:7), though not their exact timing, is a consistent theme throughout Scripture. The teaching here guards against both over-speculation on dates and complacency, urging instead a state of consistent faith and good works.
1 Thessalonians 5 2 Commentary
Believers are assured that Christ will return, but the exact date is a divine secret. This uncertainty is not a cause for anxiety, but a call to constant watchfulness and readiness. Just as a homeowner secures their property when they know thieves might come, believers must remain spiritually alert. The analogy of a thief in the night underscores the unexpected and sudden nature of the event for the world, highlighting the need for believers to be living in such a way that His coming would not catch them unprepared or ashamed. The verse encourages diligence in faith and a sober life, ensuring readiness regardless of the temporal unknown.