Bible Commentaries

But concerning the times and the seasons (περ δε των χρονων κα των καιρων). See both words used also in Titus 1:2. Χρονος is rather an extended period and καιρος a definite space of time.

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Know perfectly (ακριβως οιδατε). Accurately know, not "the times and the seasons," but their own ignorance. As a thief in the night (ως κλεπτης εν νυκτ). As a thief at night, suddenly and unexpectedly. Reminiscence of the word of Jesus (Matthew 24:43; Luke 12:39), used also in 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3; Revelation 16:15. Cometh (ερχετα). Prophetic or futuristic present tense.

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When they are saying (οταν λεγωσιν). Present active subjunctive picturing these false prophets of peace and safety like Ezekiel 13:10 (Peace, and there is no peace). Ασφαλεια only in N.T. in Luke 1:4 (which see); Acts 5:23 and here. Sudden destruction (αιφνιδιος ολεθρος). Ολεθρος old word from ολλυμ, to destroy. See also 2 Thessalonians 1:9. Αιφνιδιος, old adjective akin to αφνω and in N.T. only here and Luke 21:34 where Westcott and Hort spell it εφνιδιος. Cometh upon them (αυτοις επιστατα). Unaspirated form instead of the usual εφιστατα (present middle indicative) from εφιστημ perhaps due to confusion with επισταμα. As travail upon a woman with child (ωσπερ η ωδιν τη εν γαστρ εχουση). Earlier form ωδις for birth-pang used also by Jesus (Mark 13:8; Matthew 24:8). Technical phrase for pregnancy, to the one who has it in belly (cf. Matthew 1:18 of Mary). They shall in no wise escape (ου μη εκφυγωσιν). Strong negative like that in 1 Thessalonians 4:15 ου μη (double negative) and the second aorist active subjunctive.

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As a thief (ως κλεπτης). As in verse 1 Thessalonians 5:2, but A B Bohairic have κλεπτας (thieves), turning the metaphor round.

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Sons of light (υιο φωτος), sons of day (υιο ημερας). Chiefly a translation Hebraism (Deissmann, Bible Studies, pp. 161ff.). Cf. words of Jesus in Luke 16:8 and Paul in Ephesians 5:9. He repeats the same idea in turning from "ye" to "we" and using νυκτος (night) and σκοτους (darkness), predicate genitives.

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So then (αρα ουν). Two inferential particles, accordingly therefore, as in 2 Thessalonians 2:15 and only in Paul in N.T. Let us not sleep (μη καθευδωμεν). Present active subjunctive (volitive), let us not go on sleeping. Let us watch (γρηγορωμεν). Present active subj. (volitive) again, let us keep awake (late verb γρηγορεω from perfect εγρηγορα). Be sober (νηφωμεν). Present active subjunctive (volitive). Old verb not to be drunk. In N.T. only in figurative sense, to be calm, sober-minded. Also in verse 1 Thessalonians 5:8 with the metaphor of drunkenness in contrast.

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They that be drunken are drunken in the night (ο μεθυσκομενο νυκτος μεθυουσιν). No need of "be" here, they that are drunken. No real difference in meaning between μεθυσκω and μεθυω, to be drunk, except that μεθυσκω (inceptive verb in -σκω) means to get drunk. Night (νυκτος, genitive by night) is the favourite time for drunken revelries.

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Putting on the breastplate of faith and love (ενδυσαμενο θωρακα πιστεως κα αγαπης). First aorist (ingressive) middle participle of ενδυω. The same figure of breastplate in Ephesians 6:14, only there "of righteousness." The idea of watchfulness brings the figure of a sentry on guard and armed to Paul's mind as in Romans 13:12 "the weapons of light." The word θωραξ (breastplate) is common in the LXX. For a helmet, the hope of salvation (περικεφαλαιαν ελπιδα σωτηριας). Same figure in Ephesians 6:17 and both like Isaiah 59:17. Late word meaning around (περ) the head (κεφαλη) and in Polybius, LXX, and in the papyri. Σωτηριας is objective genitive.

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