Hope Renewed

Hope was renewed because one person cared enough to come alongside another who needed help. In Paul’s ministry to the early church, he understood that this principle extended to our hope of salvation. For believers in Jesus to “be awake and sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6, ESV), living in the confident expectation of His return, they had to support one another (v. 11), especially those who were struggling. Even though the Thessalonian believers led lives of love that pleased God (4:1, 10), Paul urged them to “encourage the disheartened, help the weak” (5:14). When we see fellow believers who are fearful, anxious, or despondent and choose to walk alongside them—whether by listening, offering a kind word, or simply being present—God uses us to renew their strength and courage, helping them cling to their hope in Jesus.

In this post, we will exegete 1 Thessalonians 5:4-15, using the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible. We’ll highlight key words and phrases from the original Greek, unpack their meanings, and explore how this passage calls us to live as a community of hope, grounded in our identity in Christ and our shared anticipation of His return.

The Basis for Paul’s Exhortations (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5)

"But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness." (ESV)

Paul begins this section by grounding his exhortations in the identity of the Thessalonian believers. He addresses them as “brothers,” a term of familial affection that underscores their unity in Christ. His first assertion is striking: “You are not in darkness.” The Greek word for “darkness” here is σκότος (skotos), which often symbolizes spiritual ignorance, sin, or separation from God in Scripture. Paul assures them they are not spiritually blind or unaware of God’s plans, particularly regarding “that day”—the day of the Lord, a future event of judgment and salvation.

The phrase “for that day to surprise you like a thief” points to the suddenness of Christ’s return. This day will come unexpectedly for those in darkness, catching them unprepared like a thief breaking in at night. But Paul insists this should not be the case for believers. Why? Because “you are all children of light, children of the day.” The Greek terms υἱοὶ φωτός (huioi phōtos, “sons of light”) and υἱοὶ ἡμέρας (huioi hēmeras, “sons of the day”) are rich with meaning. In Semitic languages, to be a “son” of something means to embody its characteristics. Light (phōs) represents truth, holiness, and God’s presence, while day (hēmera) contrasts with night, symbolizing righteousness and readiness. Paul concludes, “We are not of the night or of the darkness,” using the preposition “of” (ἐκ, ek) to indicate origin—they no longer belong to the realm of sin and ignorance.

This identity is foundational. Because believers are children of light and day, they should live in a way that reflects this reality, prepared for Christ’s return rather than caught off guard. It’s a call to align our behavior with who God has made us to be.

Be Awake, Sober, and Watchful (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8)

"So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation." (ESV)

Building on their identity, Paul issues a series of imperatives. “So then” connects this exhortation to the previous verses—because they are children of the day, they must act accordingly. First, he says, “Let us not sleep, as others do.” The Greek verb for “sleep” here is καθεύδω (katheudō), used metaphorically to denote spiritual lethargy or indifference, distinct from the physical sleep or death referenced earlier in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15. This sleep characterizes “others”—those outside the faith who are oblivious to spiritual realities.

Instead, believers are to “keep awake” (γρηγορέω, grēgoreō), a term that means to stay vigilant or watchful, and “be sober” (νήφω, nēphō), implying self-control and clear-mindedness. Sobriety here isn’t about abstaining from humor or enthusiasm but avoiding the spiritual intoxication of worldly distractions. Paul contrasts this with the behavior of those in darkness: “For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.” Nighttime activities like sleeping and drunkenness symbolize spiritual unawareness and indulgence, which have no place among those who “belong to the day.”

To illustrate this readiness, Paul uses the imagery of a soldier’s armor: “having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” The verb “put on” (ἐνδύω, enduō) suggests an intentional act of equipping oneself. The breastplate, protecting the vital organs, represents “faith and love,” trust in God and love for others, which guard the believer’s heart. The helmet, safeguarding the head, is “the hope of salvation.” The Greek word for hope, ἐλπίς (elpis), denotes not wishful thinking but a confident, future-oriented trust in God’s promise of deliverance. Together, faith, love, and hope form a spiritual armor that keeps believers alert and protected as they await Christ’s return.

The Security of Our Future (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)

"For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him." (ESV)

Paul now provides the theological foundation for this hope: “God has not destined us for wrath.” The verb “destined” (τίθημι, tithēmi) emphasizes God’s sovereign appointment. Before salvation, humanity faced God’s wrath due to sin (Romans 5:9), but believers are now appointed “to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The phrase “to obtain” (περιποίησις, peripoiēsis) implies possession or acquisition, highlighting the certainty of this gift through Christ.

Jesus’ death secures this salvation: “who died for us” (ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, hyper hēmōn). The preposition hyper indicates substitution—Jesus died in our place, taking the wrath we deserved. This act ensures that " we might live with him, “whether we are awake or asleep.” Here, “awake” and “asleep” likely refer to physical life and death (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15), addressing the Thessalonians’ concern about deceased believers. Whether alive or dead at Christ’s return, all believers will “live with him,” a promise of eternal fellowship that undergirds their hope.

Comfort One Another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

"Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (ESV)

Based on this secure future, Paul urges communal action: “Therefore encourage one another.” The Greek verb παρακαλέω (parakaleō) can mean to comfort, exhort, or strengthen, depending on context. Here, it’s paired with “build one another up” (οἰκοδομέω, oikodomeō), which conveys edification or spiritual growth, like constructing a building. This mutual encouragement isn’t optional—it’s a natural outflow of their shared hope.

Paul adds, “just as you are doing,” affirming that the Thessalonians were already practicing this. Yet his exhortation implies a call to persist and deepen this habit. When believers comfort and edify one another, hope is renewed, and the community is strengthened for the challenges ahead.

Honoring Leaders (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)

"We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves." (ESV)

Paul shifts focus to church leadership, urging the believers to “respect” (οἶδα, oida, lit. “to know” or “recognize”) those who serve them. He describes these leaders by three functions: they “labor” (κοπιάω, kopiaō), meaning to work diligently to the point of exhaustion; they “are over you in the Lord” (προΐστημι, proistēmi), indicating spiritual oversight or authority; and they “admonish” (νουθετέω, noutheteō), offering gentle correction or warning. These aren’t separate groups but one class of leaders fulfilling multiple roles.

Believers are to “esteem them very highly in love” (ἡγέομαι, hēgeomai, with ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ, hyperekperissou, meaning “exceedingly abundantly”) because of their “work” (ergon), not their titles or charisma. Paul concludes that this high regard fosters unity: “Be at peace among yourselves.” Honoring leaders contributes to a harmonious community, essential for maintaining collective hope.

Dealing with Difficult People (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15)

"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone." (ESV)

Paul now addresses how to minister within the church, especially to those struggling. He uses “urge” (παρακαλέω, parakaleō) again, emphasizing urgency and care. His instructions target specific groups:

Admonish the idle (νουθετέω τοὺς ἀτάκτους, noutheteō tous ataktous): The “idle” or “disorderly” (ataktous) are those out of step, possibly shirking work (cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12). They need correction to realign with the community.

Encourage the fainthearted (παραμυθέομαι τοὺς ὀλιγοψύχους, paramytheomai tous oligopsychous): The “fainthearted” (lit. “small-souled”) are timid or anxious, perhaps about Christ’s return or deceased loved ones. They need comfort and strength.

Help the weak (ἀντέχομαι τῶν ἀσθενῶν, antechomai tōn asthenōn): The “weak” may struggle with sin or doubt, requiring support to grow stronger.

Be patient with them all (μακροθυμέω πρὸς πάντας, makrothumeō pros pantas): Patience (makrothumeō, long-suffering) is essential, acknowledging that transformation takes time.

Finally, Paul addresses conflict: “See that no one repays anyone evil for evil.” Retaliation is forbidden; instead, believers must “always seek to do good” (ἀγαθός, agathos) to one another and even outsiders. This echoes Jesus’ command to love enemies (Matthew 5:44), reinforcing hope through acts of grace.

Living in Hope

In 1 Thessalonians 5:4-15, Paul calls believers to live as children of the day, awake and sober, equipped with faith, love, and hope. Our security in salvation, rooted in Christ’s substitutionary death, frees us to encourage one another, honor our leaders, and support the struggling. Hope is renewed not in isolation but through community, as we come alongside the idle, fainthearted, and weak with patience and kindness.

This passage challenges us to reflect God’s love practically, ensuring that no one loses sight of our hope in Jesus. As we await His return, our mutual care becomes a testimony to the world and a lifeline for each other, pointing to the day when we will live with Him forever.