LET US BE ALERT / SELF CONTROLLED / 1 THESSAIONIANS 5:6

(KJV) 1 Thessalonians 5:6

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

“Be alert” (Greek gregoreo) means more than simply focusing one’s attention at the moment. This word carries the sense that one is to “stay awake and keep watch.” Paul is not challenging his readers to “be alert” for the “day of the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 5:2), but rather to be spiritually prepared in order to escape that day of wrath – God’s justified anger, judgment and punishment (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12; Luke 21:34-36). 

1. If we want to escape God’s wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:3), we must remain spiritually awake and morally alert. We must preserve in faith, love and the hope of full and complete salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8-9; Luke 21:36: Ephesians 6:11) that comes by holding fast to our commitment to Christ until He returns.
2. Since God’s faithful people will be protected from His wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:2), they need not fear the day of the Lord. With expectation, they can “wait for His Son from heaven…Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

The word “self-controlled” (Greek nepho) had two meanings in New Testament times.

1. The literal meaning refers to “a state of abstinence from wine,” “to drink no wine,” “to be completely unaffected by wine” or “to be sober.” It also carries a meaning of alertness or self-control. Here it suggests spiritual alertness and discipline in every aspect of life, so as not to get caught up in worldly pleasures, worries or spiritual distractions that could cause believers to become unfaithful to the Lord and unprepared for His return.
2. The context here suggests that Paul was not excluding the literal meaning and implications of this word. The phrase “let us be alert and self-controlled” is contrasted with the phrase in the following verse, “those who get drunk, get drunk at night” (1 Thessalonians 5:7). In this way, Paul’s contrast of nepho with physical drunkenness would indicate that he was including the literal meaning of “abstinence from wine.” Compare Jesus’ statement about those who eat and drink with drunkards and are caught unaware by His return (Matthew 24:48-51).

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1. YOU BROTHERS ARE NOT IN DARKNESS / 1 THESSAIONIANS 5:4
2. PEACE AND SAFETY / 1 THESSALONIANS 5:3
3. THE DAY OF THE LORD / LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT / 1 THESSALONIANS 5:2
4. TIMES AND DATES / 1 THESSALONIANS 5:1
5. ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER / 1 THESSALONIANS 4:18
6. CAUGHT UP IN THE CLOUDS / 1 THISSALONIANS 4:17
7. ABOUT THOSE WHO FALL ASLEEP / 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13
8. MAY WIN THE RESPECT OF OUTSIDERS / 1 THESSALONIANS 4:12
9. DOES NOT REJECT MAN BUT GOD / 1 THESSALONIANS 4:8
10. GOD DID NOT CALL US TO BE IMPURE BUT TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE / 1 THESSALONIANS 4:7
11. WRONG HIS BROTHER OR TAKE ADVANTAGE / 1 THESSALONIANS 4:6
12. AVOID SEXUAL IMMORALITY / 1THESSALONIANS 4:3-7
13. IT IS GOD’S WILL / 1 THESSALONIANS 4:3
14. BLAMELESS AND HOLY WHEN OUR LORD JESUS COMES / 1 THESSALONIANS 3:13
15. THE TEMPTER MIGHT HAVE TEMPTED YOU / 1 THESSALONIANS 3:5
16. TRIALS / 1 THESSALONIANS 3:3
17. BUT SATAN STOPPED US / 1 THESSALONIANS 2:18
18. THE WRATH OF GOD HAS COME UPON THEM / 1 THESSALONIANS 2:16
19. LIVE LIVES WORTHY OF GOD / 1 THESSALONIANS 2:12
20. HOW HOLY RIGHTEOUS AND BLAMELESS WE WERE / 1 THESSALONIANS 2:10
21. LIKE A MOTHER CARING FOR HER LITTLE CHILDREN / 1 THESSALONIANS 2:7
22. WE SPEAK NOT TRYING TO PLEASE MEN / 1 THESALONIANS 2:4
23. OUR VISIT TO YOU / 1 THESSALONIANS 2:1-2
24. TO WAIT FOR HIS SON FROM HEAVEN / 1 Thessalonians 1:10
25. WITH POWER AND IN THE HOLY SPIRIT / 1 THESSALONIANS 1:5
26. HE HAS CHOSEN YOU / 1 THESSALONIANS 1:4
27. DO NOT PUT OUT THE SPIRIT’S FIRE / 1 THESSALONIANS 5:19-20
28. Guided By Grace About

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Summary

Article Name

LET US BE ALERT / SELF CONTROLLED / 1 THESSAIONIANS 5:6

Description

“Be alert” (Greek gregoreo) means more than simply focusing one’s attention at the moment.

Author

Margarita Crews

Publisher Name

Guided By Grace

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