Click
here to show/hide instructions.
Instructions on how to use the page:
The commentary for the selected verse is is displayed below.
All commentary was produced against the King James, so the same verse from that translation may appear as well. Hovering your mouse over a commentary's scripture reference attempts to show those verses.
Use the browser's back button to return to the previous page.
Or you can also select a feature from the Just Verses menu appearing at the top of the page.
Selected Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:4 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Th 5:4 |
Strong Concordance |
But [1161] ye [5210], brethren [80], are [2075] not [3756] in [1722] darkness [4655], that [2443] that day [2250] should overtake [2638] you [5209] as [5613] a thief [2812]. |
| |
King James |
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
not in darkness--not in darkness of understanding (that is, spiritual ignorance) or of the moral nature (that is, a state of sin), Eph 4:18.
that--Greek, "in order that"; with God results are all purposed.
that day--Greek, "THE day"; the day of the Lord (Heb 10:25, "the day"), in contrast to "darkness."
overtake--unexpectedly (compare Joh 12:35).
as a thief--The two oldest manuscripts read, "as (the daylight overtakes) thieves" (Job 24:17). Old manuscripts and Vulgate read as English Version. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
| But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief - The allusion here is to the manner in which a thief or robber accomplishes his purpose. He comes in the night, when people are asleep. So, says the apostle, the Lord will come to the wicked. They are like those who are asleep when the thief comes upon them. But it is not so with Christians. They are, in relation to the coming of the day of the Lord, as people are who are awake when the robber comes. They could see his approach, and could prepare for it, so that it would not take them by surprise. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Overtake (καταλάβῃ)
See on comprehended, Joh 1:5.
A thief (κλέπτης)
Tischendorf, Weiss, and Rev. T. retain this reading. Westcott and Hort read κλέπτας thieves, but with κλέπτης in margin. The weight of textual evidence is in favor of the singular. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Ye are not in darkness - Sleeping secure in sin. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| But ye, brethren, are not in darkness - Probably St. Paul refers to a notion that was very prevalent among the Jews, viz.: that God would judge the Gentiles in the night time, when utterly secure and careless; but he would judge the Jews in the day time, when employed in reading and performing the words of the law. The words in Midrash Tehillim, on Psa 9:8, are the following: When the holy blessed God shall judge the Gentiles, it shall be in the night season, in which they shall be asleep in their transgressions; but when he shall judge the Israelites, it shall be in the day time, when they are occupied in the study of the law. This maxim the apostle appears to have in view in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th verses. (Th1 5:4-8) |
17 For the morning [01242] is to them even as [03162] the shadow of death [06757]: if one know [05234] them, they are in the terrors [01091] of the shadow of death [06757].
35 Then [3767] Jesus [2424] said [2036] unto them [846], Yet [2089] a little [3398] while [5550] is [2076] the light [5457] with [3326] you [5216]. Walk [4043] while [2193] ye have [2192] the light [5457], lest [3363] darkness [4653] come upon [2638] you [5209]: for [2532] he that walketh [4043] in [1722] darkness [4653] knoweth [1492] not [3756] whither [4226] he goeth [5217].
25 Not [3361] forsaking [1459] the assembling [1997] of ourselves [1438] together [1997], as [2531] the manner [1485] of some [5100] is; but [235] exhorting [3870] one another: and [2532] so much [5118] the more [3123], as [3745] ye see [991] the day [2250] approaching [1448].
18 Having the understanding [1271] darkened [4654], being [5607] alienated [526] from the life [2222] of God [2316] through [1223] the ignorance [52] that is [5607] in [1722] them [846], because [1223] of the blindness [4457] of their [846] heart [2588]:
5 And [2532] the light [5457] shineth [5316] in [1722] darkness [4653]; and [2532] the darkness [4653] comprehended [2638] it [846] not [3756].
4 But [1161] ye [5210], brethren [80], are [2075] not [3756] in [1722] darkness [4655], that [2443] that day [2250] should overtake [2638] you [5209] as [5613] a thief [2812].
5 Ye [5210] are [2075] all [3956] the children [5207] of light [5457], and [2532] the children [5207] of the day [2250]: we are [2070] not [3756] of the night [3571], nor [3761] of darkness [4655].
6 Therefore [686] [3767] let us [2518] not [3361] sleep [2518], as [5613] [2532] do others [3062]; but [235] let us watch [1127] and [2532] be sober [3525].
7 For [1063] they that sleep [2518] sleep [2518] in the night [3571]; and [2532] they that be drunken [3182] are drunken [3184] in the night [3571].
8 But [1161] let [3525] us [2249], who are [5607] of the day [2250], be sober [3525], putting on [1746] the breastplate [2382] of faith [4102] and [2532] love [26]; and [2532] for an helmet [4030], the hope [1680] of salvation [4991].
8 And he shall judge [08199] the world [08398] in righteousness [06664], he shall minister judgment [01777] to the people [03816] in uprightness [04339].