The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Epistle Reading for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday after Trinity, 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.
I. A prohibition, that one ought to not wickedly inquire after the certain day and hour of the coming of Christ. (v. 1–5) II. An admonition as to how one should at all times be prepared for the coming of Christ. (v. 6–10) III. Several specific rules for true Christianity, together with the conclusion. (v. 11–28)
Annotated Text
1. Concerning the * times and the hours, (the time and the hour in which Christ will come for judgment, in like manner how long a time will have to pass until then, or in what circumstances the world and the Church of God will be found then) beloved brothers, it is not necessary (it is neither necessary nor edifying) to write to you (since no one knows the day nor the hour, not even the angels in heaven, but rather only God the heavenly Father, Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32, which has been reserved in His authority, Acts 1:7).
* Matthew 24:3, 36
2. For you yourself (already) know, 1 that the day of the Lord (Christ, that is, the last day of judgment) will come (will happen), * as a thief in the night (before men will know of it).
* Matthew 24:42–43; Luke 12:39; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3, 16:15
1 Greek: “from the doctrine pronounced (by us) with great diligence (concerning this to you)” [This is not in any Greek text that I could find, I think that it is meant to be an explanation of the perfect tense of οἴδατε.]
3. For if they (the godless) are saying, * “There is peace (all remains well), there is no danger (that the Last day will come even now); then doom (the condemnation, which will then begin upon them) will fall upon them quickly, 1 just like pain (the birth anxieties) come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape it (such is their doom).
* Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11 (Luke 21:34–35)
1 Greek: “Thus, the speedy doom (already) stands (hovers) over their heads.” [Again, this is not in any manuscript, but an explanation of the text]
4. But you, beloved brothers, * are not in the darkness (of false doctrine, great sin, and fleshly security), that the (Last) Day snatch you up (that you have fear for the sake of such sudden coming) as a thief (suddenly and unexpectedly).
* Ephesians 5:8
5. You are altogether * children of the light (enlightened through the Word of God and through the Holy Spirit with the saving knowledge of God) and are children of the day (that you go along in true faith and godly life); we are not of the night, nor of the darkness (erring in faith and godless in life).
* Luke 16:8; Romans 13:12
6. So let us not sleep now (snoring in the sleep of sin and living therein in certainty), as the others (the unbelievers), but rather let us watch (be valiant, live in a God-pleasing way, renouncing our security, hoping daily in the coming of Christ) and be sober (disciplined and temperate).
(Matthew 24:42, 25:13; Luke 21:36)
7. Fort those who sleep (even naturally), sleep at night, and those who drink (according the manner of the world), get drunk (commonly) at night.
8. But we, who are (children) * of the day (who walk in the right light of faith), ought to be sober (renounce drunkenness, and our souls be valiant and alert), dressed † with the shell (the armor) of faith (protected in the heart with upright faith against all fiery darts of the hellish evildoer) and love (toward God and the neighbor), 1 and with the helmet of the (certain) hope to salvation.
* Romans 13:12
† Isaiah 59:17; Ephesians 6:14, 17ff. (1 Corinthians 15:34, 16:13; 1 Peter 5:8)
1 * Through faith we shield ourselves against the devil and an evil conscience; but through love we protect ourselves against the accusation of the enemies and blasphemy.
9. For * God has not appointed us (believers) to wrath (ordained us to damnation), but rather appointed us to salvation (that we should obtain it) through our Lord Jesus Christ (as He has called us to the knowledge of Him leading to salvation, and has worked faith in Him in our hearts),
* Romans 9:23 (1 Timothy 1:15; 2 Peter 3:9)
10. who died for us (for our sins), so that, * whether we wake or sleep (if the day of the Lord comes at the time when we sleep or at the time when we are awake), we shall live together with Him (in eternal blessedness).
* Romans 14:8–9; 2 Corinthians 5:15
11. Therefore, * admonish one another (to godliness) and build one another up (be promotive to this), as you are doing then.
* 1 Thessalonians 4:18; Hebrews 10:24–25
Useful Applications
I. WARNING: Concerning fleshly certainty, so that no one be overtaken unprepared on the Last Day (like a pregnant woman by her birth-pains), and thereby fall into eternal damnation. (v. 3) II. CORRECTION: For Christian wariness, watchfulness, and preparation for the coming of Christ for judgment, especially through a sober, temperate life. (v. 6–8)
PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS 