1 Thessalonians 5:7-8 7For those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8But since we are of the day, let us be sober by having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of the hope of salvation.
Paul compares those who carry on in their ignorant oblivion and rejection to Jesus’ coming again and the call to holiness, with those who are alert and expectant, shown in how they live. Verse 7 continues the images of night time when people sleep and get drunk. Both of these dull the senses. Being asleep makes a person unaware of what is happening around him or her. Being drunk causes a person to lose control and make poor decisions.
Verse 8 is an obvious contrast with the but we at the beginning. This verse describes how believers ought to live. The emphatic we is inclusive of all believers. This is part of God’s will for us as sanctified people (4:3). Being people of the daytime means that our eyes are open and we are carrying out God’s will as we await Jesus’ coming.
Paul gives other images to help illustrate how believers ought to live during the day. These images are build on the same triad of faith, love, and hope from 1:3. The participle having put on (endysamenoi) has an instrumental sense. Putting on these qualities is how we should live during the day. This is how we can have victory over the temptations of immorality and moral and spiritual compromise. A breastplate and helmet protect the heart and mind, which are two key places of spiritual battle in the Bible.
Faith is trusting in God’s promises in the gospel of Jesus Christ. From this launching point, faith then can lead to trusting God in other areas of our lives. Love is the expression of our faith in Christ by nurturing relationships with God and others. These two action nouns are supported and inspired by hope in salvation promised to those who believe and love God. Hope keeps faith and love going when challenges or persecution arise. The Thessalonians were facing hard times because of their new faith in Christ. These verses both give the reassurance and call them to endurance. These are the essential qualities for all believers as we seek to live out God’s call to holiness.
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