1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 1But now as to the times and dates, brothers [and sisters], you have no need to be written to you, 2for you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord like a thief in the night is so coming. 3When they say, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pain upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Paul continues the topic of Jesus’ second coming but nuances (but now) his exhortation around the them of the need to be ready. Paul is concerned about how the Thessalonians should live while they await for Jesus. They may have had a question about when Jesus will come again, and so Paul gives further insights about timing. Many people today also wonder and speculate about times and dates. These two words form an idiomatic phrase. times (chronōn) refers to more of an open duration of time, short or long. Dates (kairōn) refers to an opportunity at a more specific moment in time. The use of both words here forms an idiomatic phrase that echoes Jesus’ words in Acts 1:7 that no one can know the time of his return (Mark 13:32). The Thessalonians should have realized (the emphatic phrase in verse 2 you yourselves know well) the to some extent the unknowability of when Jesus will return. Speculation served no purpose.
Rather, they needed to be ready. To emphasize and illustrate the importance of this readiness, Paul uses two images. The key thought that drives these two images is the sudden and unexpected nature of Jesus’ return. The day of the Lord is a common phrase in Paul’s letters about Jesus’ coming again (1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:14; 5:5; Philippians 1:6, 1:10; 2:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Timothy 1:12, 18; 4:8). It is a day that believers should look forward to with anticipation and not fear.
The first image of a thief in the night emphasizes the surprise. People will not be ready and watching but sleeping in their earthly comforts. Their senses will be dulled and thing all is well. They think they will be safe and at peace but actually destruction will come. Destruction (olethros) can also mean death. The message serves as a warning to those who are spiritually and morality compromised and who live in rebellion against God. Whereas believers will experience resurrection life, unbelievers will experience spiritual death. The implied message is to “Wake up!” Be alert and follow God’s will of holiness and love.
The second image of a pregnant woman starting labor also stresses the sudden and unexpected coming of Jesus. A woman never knows when contractions will start. These can come in the middle of the night, which is not very convenient for the expecting mother or those who care for her. The last phrase stresses even more the danger of being spiritually and morally lazy: they will not escape. People may think that Jesus will never come again. They may continue to live to please the flesh in rebellion against God. Their subjective and relativistic lifestyle may satisfy the moment and provide meaning to a humanistic worldview, but it does not change the fact that Jesus is coming again and all people will face judgement.
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