Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Thessalonians 5

It is needless or useless to ask about the particular time of Christ's coming. Christ did not reveal this to the apostles. There are times and seasons for us to work in, and these are our duty and interest to know and observe; but as to the time when we must give up our account, we do not know it, nor is it necessary that we should. The coming of Christ will be a great surprise to people.

Our Lord himself said so. As the hour of death is to each person what the judgment will be to humankind in general, so the same remarks apply to both. Christ's coming will be terrible to the ungodly. Their destruction will overtake them while they dream of happiness and indulge in vain amusements.

There will be no means to escape the terror or the punishment of that day. This day will be a happy day to the righteous. They are not in darkness; they are the children of the light. It is the happy condition of all true Christians.

But how many are speaking peace and safety to themselves, over whose heads utter destruction is hovering! Let us endeavor to awaken ourselves and each other, and guard against our spiritual enemies.

Most of humankind do not consider the things of another world at all, because they are asleep; or they do not consider them correctly, because they sleep and dream. Our moderation regarding all earthly things should be known to everyone. Should Christians, who have the light of the blessed gospel shining in their faces, be careless about their souls and unmindful of another world?

We need spiritual armor, or the three Christian graces: faith, love, and hope. Faith: if we believe that the eye of God is always upon us and that there is another world to prepare for, we will see reason to watch and be sober. True and fervent love for God, and the things of God, will keep us watchful and sober.

If we have hope of salvation, let us take heed of anything that would shake our trust in the Lord. We have ground on which to build unshaken hope when we consider that salvation is by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us to atone for our sins and ransom our souls. We should join in prayer and praise with each other.

We should set a good example for one another, as this is the best way to fulfill the purpose of community. In this way, we will learn how to live for Him, with whom we hope to live forever.

The ministers of the gospel are described by the work of their office, which is to serve and honor the Lord. It is their duty not only to give good counsel, but also to warn the flock of dangers, and reprove for whatever may be amiss.

The people should honor and love their ministers, because their business is the welfare of souls. And the people should be at peace among themselves, doing all they can to guard against any differences. But love of peace must not make us wink at sin.

Those who are fearful and sorrowful should be encouraged, and a kind word may do much good. We must bear and forbear. We must be long-suffering, control anger, and this towards all people. Whatever others do to us, we must do good to them.

We are to rejoice in creature-comforts as if we did not rejoice, and we must not expect to live many years and rejoice in them all; but if we rejoice in God, we may do that forever. A truly religious life is a life of constant joy. And we should rejoice more if we prayed more.

Prayer will further all lawful business and every good work. If we pray without ceasing, we will not lack reasons for thanksgiving in everything. We will see cause to give thanks for sparing and preventing, for common and uncommon, for past and present, and for temporal and spiritual mercies. Not only for prosperous and pleasing providences, but also for afflicting ones, for chastisements and corrections; for God designs all for our good, though at present we do not see how they contribute to it.

Quench not the Spirit. Christians are said to be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire. He works like fire, by enlightening, enlivening, and purifying human souls. As fire is put out by taking away fuel, and as it is quenched by pouring water or by putting a great deal of earth upon it, so we must be careful not to quench the Holy Spirit by indulging carnal lusts and affections, and by minding only earthly things.

Believers often hinder their growth in grace by not yielding to the spiritual affections raised in their hearts by the Holy Spirit. By “prophesyings,” understand here the preaching of the word: the interpreting and applying the Scriptures. We must not despise preaching, even if it is plain and we are told nothing more than what we already knew.

We must search the Scriptures. And proving all things must be to hold fast that which is good. We should abstain from sin and from whatever looks like sin, leads to it, and borders upon it. Anyone who is not wary of the appearances of sin, who does not shun the occasions for it, and who does not avoid the temptations and approaches to it, will not long refrain from sinning.

The apostle prays that they might be sanctified more perfectly, for the best are sanctified only in part while in this world; therefore, we should pray for and press toward complete holiness. And since we would fall if God did not carry on his good work in the soul, we should pray to God to perfect his work until we are presented faultless before the throne of his glory.

We should pray for one another; and fellow believers should in this way express brotherly love. This letter was to be read to all the fellow believers. Not only are ordinary people allowed to read the Scriptures, but it is their duty, and something they should be persuaded to do. The word of God should not be kept in an unknown language, but translated, so that, since knowing the Scriptures is important for all people, they all may be able to read them.

The Scriptures should be read in all public congregations, especially for the benefit of those who are unlearned. We need nothing more to make us happy than to know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is an ever-flowing and an overflowing fountain of grace to supply all our needs.