1 Thessalonians 5:6
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 in other translations
| BSB | So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. |
|---|---|
| WEB | so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober. |
| ASV | so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober. |
| YLT | so, then, we may not sleep as also the others, but watch and be sober, |
| DARBY | So then do not let us sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober; |
| BBE | So then, let us not take our rest as the others do, but let us be self-controlled and awake. |
| Webster | Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. |
What does 1 Thessalonians 5:6 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
But let us watch. That is, for the coming of the Lord. Let us regard it as an event which is certainly to occur, and which may occur at any moment. Mt 25:13.
And be sober. The word here used (νηφω) is rendered sober in 1Thes 5:6,8, 1Pet 1:13, 5:8; and watch in 2Ti 4:5, 1Pet 4:7. It does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It properly means, to be temperate or abstinent, especially in respect to wine. Joseph. Jewish Wars, 5. 5. 7. Xenophon, Cyr.. 7. 5. 20; and then it is used in a more general sense, as meaning to be sober-minded, watchful, circumspect. In this passage, there is an allusion to the fact that persons not only sleep in the night, but that they are frequently drunken in the night also. The idea is, that the Lord Jesus, when he comes, will find the wicked sunk not only in carnal security, but in sinful indulgences; and that those who are Christians ought not only to be awake and to watch as in the daytime, but to be temperate. They ought to be like persons engaged in the sober, honest, and appropriate employments of the day, and not like those who waste their days in sleep, and their nights in revelry. A man who expects soon to see the Son of God coming to judgment, ought to be a sober man. No one would wish to be summoned from a scene of dissipation to his bar. And who would wish to be called there from the ball-room; from the theatre; from the scene of brilliant worldly amusement? The most gay votary of the world; the most accomplished, and flattered, and joyous patron of the ball-room; the most richly-dressed and admired daughter of vanity, would tremble at the thought of being summoned from those brilliant halls, where pleasure is now found, to the judgment-bar. They would wish to have at least a little time that they might prepare for so solemn a scene. But if so, as this event may at any moment occur, why should they not be habitually sober-minded? Why should they not aim to be always in that state of mind which they know would be appropriate to meet him? Especially should Christians live with such vigilance and soberness as to be always prepared to meet the Son of God. What Christian can think it appropriate for him to go up to meet his Saviour from the theatre, the ballroom, or the brilliant worldly party? A Christian ought always so to live, that the coming of the Son of God in the clouds of heaven would not excite the least alarm.
(a) "let us not sleep" Mt 25:5, Rom 13:12,13 (b) "sober" 1Pet 2:8
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5:6-11
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
1 Thessalonians 5:6 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 5:6
- 1 Peter 1:13
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
- Matthew 24:42
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
- Luke 22:46
And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
- 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
- Romans 13:11-14
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
- Revelation 16:15
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
- 1 Corinthians 16:13
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
- Ephesians 5:14
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
- Revelation 3:2
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
- Proverbs 19:15
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
- Mark 13:34-35
For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
- Titus 2:12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Pr 19:15; Isa 56:10; Jon 1:6; Mt 13:25; 25:5; Mr 14:37; Lu 22:46
Ro 13:11-14; 1Co 15:34; Eph 5:14
watch.
Mt 24:42; 25:13; 26:38,40,41; Mr 13:34,35,37; 14:38; Lu 12:37,39
Lu 21:36; 22:46; Ac 20:31; 1Co 16:13; Eph 6:18; Col 4:2; 2Ti 4:5
1Pe 4:7; Re 3:2; 16:15
sober.
8; Php 4:5; 1Ti 2:9,15; 3:2,11; Tit 2:6,12; 1Pe 1:13; 5:8
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- 1 Thessalonians 5:5
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:7
For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Por tanto, no durmamos como los demás; antes velemos y seamos sobrios. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Ainsi donc ne dormons pas comme les autres, mais veillons et soyons sobres; |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Also laßt uns nun nicht schlafen wie die übrigen, sondern wachen und nüchtern sein. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Igitur non dormiamus sicut et ceteri, sed vigilemus, et sobrii simus. |