1 Thessalonians 5:6 kjv
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 nkjv
Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 niv
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 esv
So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 nlt
So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.
1 Thessalonians 5 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Thess. 5:5 | You are all children of light and children of the day. | NT: Foundation of soberness |
| 1 Thess. 5:7 | For those who sleep sleep at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. | NT: Contrast with spiritual sleep |
| Luke 21:34 | But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with debauchery and drunkenness and worldly anxieties, and that Day come upon you suddenly like a snare. | NT: Warning against intoxication/anxiety |
| Rom. 13:12 | Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. | NT: Call to be alert |
| 1 Cor. 6:9-10 | Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. | NT: Drunkenness as sin |
| Eph. 5:18 | And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. | NT: Contrast with Spirit-filledness |
| 1 Pet. 4:7 | The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. | NT: Soberness for prayer/end times |
| Matt. 24:42 | Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. | NT: Urgency of watchfulness |
| Mark 13:33 | Watch yourselves, be vigilant, and pray, for you do not know when the time will come. | NT: Similar emphasis on watchfulness |
| Acts 2:15 | For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. | NT: Jesus' followers not drunk |
| 1 Thess. 5:10 | who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. | NT: Life with Christ always |
| Prov. 20:1 | Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. | OT: Negative portrayal of intoxication |
| Prov. 23:20 | Be not among drunkards, or among gluttonous eaters of meat. | OT: Warning against overindulgence |
| Prov. 23:29-30 | Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has quarrels? Who has complaints? Who has needless blows? Who has red eyes? Those who linger long over wine, those who go to try spiced wine. | OT: Consequences of drinking |
| Isa. 5:11 | Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may pursue strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them! | OT: Warning against wine pursuit |
| Jer. 35:8-14 | The sons of Jonadab have obeyed the command of their father... Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel... Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father and kept all his precepts... You shall continue to drink wine." Yet they did not drink wine, because Jonadab the son of Rechab commanded them... This is testament to obedience. | OT: Abstinence as obedience |
| 2 Tim. 2:4 | No soldier on duty gets entangled in civilian affairs, but tries to please his commanding officer. | NT: Soldier's focus |
| Phil. 3:20 | But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. | NT: Heavenly focus |
| 1 Thess. 5:2 | For you yourselves know carefully that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. | NT: Context of Day of the Lord |
| 1 Thess. 5:8 | But, since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. | NT: Outworking of being children of day |
1 Thessalonians 5 verses
1 Thessalonians 5 6 Meaning
Belonging to God's people is characterized by soberness and watchfulness, not drunken revelry. This state equips believers to stand firm and anticipate Christ's return, unlike those lost in spiritual slumber.
1 Thessalonians 5 6 Context
1 Thessalonians 5 focuses on the coming of the Day of the Lord and its implications for believers. Paul addresses the Thessalonians' potential confusion or fear about this event. He emphasizes that believers, as children of light and day, should not be caught unaware like thieves are by night. This verse follows the contrast between the spiritual alertness of believers and the slumber of unbelievers, highlighting that the specific forms of intoxication or slumber associated with spiritual unpreparedness are to be avoided. The immediate context emphasizes putting on spiritual armor and living a life that reflects their identity in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5 6 Word Analysis
neros (nepsálontes): "sober," "watchful," "self-controlled." This refers to a state of mental alertness and self-discipline, especially in spiritual matters, guarding against anything that would dull one's senses or lead to a loss of vigilance. It’s not merely abstaining from alcohol but a comprehensive inner soberness.
kai: "and." A coordinating conjunction.
ne (mē): "not." A particle of prohibition, indicating negation.
metheuōsin (methuōsin): "getting drunk," "intoxicated." This refers to being overcome by strong drink, leading to loss of reason and self-control. Figuratively, it can mean spiritual stupor or being overwhelmed by worldly concerns.
Analysis of phrase "neros kai me metheuōsin": The construction uses a present participle ("neros") and a present subjunctive verb ("metheuōsin"). The present participle suggests a continuous state or habit, while the present subjunctive after a prohibitive particle ("me") expresses a command against a continuous action. Therefore, the instruction is not a one-time plea but a continuous imperative: "not habitually getting drunk." The pairing emphasizes that the active state of sober watchfulness (neros) is directly opposed to and exclusionary of the state of drunken stupor (metheuōsin).
1 Thessalonians 5 6 Bonus Section
The imagery of "getting drunk" here extends beyond literal intoxication. It encompasses any state where a person’s spiritual perception is dulled by worldliness, sin, or complacency. Like a soldier on duty who must remain alert, believers must maintain a sober focus on eternal realities and Christ's imminent return. This sobriety is foundational for the spiritual armor described in the next verse.
1 Thessalonians 5 6 Commentary
Believers are commanded to be perpetually sober and watchful, eschewing any form of spiritual intoxication or dullness. This vigilance is essential for understanding and responding rightly to God's plan, particularly concerning the Day of the Lord. This soberness allows the believer to live actively for Christ, rather than being passively overcome by the world or spiritual sleep, thus ensuring they are ready for Christ's return.