Catholic Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

The Day of the Lord

About times and dates Paul has no need to write: the Thessalonians know that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When people are saying peace and safety, destruction will come on them suddenly. But they are not in darkness so that this day should surprise them like a thief. They are children of the light and children of the day. So let them be awake and sober: putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet. God did not appoint them to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for them so that, whether they are awake or asleep, they may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.

The Programme of the Christian Life

Paul's final instructions are the most compressed and most quotable summary of the Christian life in the entire NT: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Three imperatives, three words each, the totality of the interior life. Not pray sometimes, not rejoice when things are good, not give thanks for the pleasant things. Always, continually, in all circumstances. The Catechism identifies this triple call as the programme of the life of prayer: joy as its atmosphere, continual prayer as its breath, thanksgiving as its constant orientation (CCC 2742). Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecy with contempt. Test everything, hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

The closing benediction is trinitarian and total: may the God of peace himself sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls is faithful, and he will do it.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. This is God's will for you. Not a counsel for the spiritually advanced. Not an aspiration for the future. God's will, for you, now. Begin with the easiest: give thanks. Name three things in the last twenty-four hours for which you are genuinely grateful. That is the beginning. The rejoicing and the praying will follow from there.

Prayer

God of peace, sanctify us through and through. May our whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is your will for us in Christ Jesus. You who call us are faithful, and you will do it. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

5
The Day of the Lord
(Zephaniah 1:7–18; Malachi 4:1–6; 2 Peter 3:8–13)
1 Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you. 2 For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
 
4 But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. 5 For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.
 
9 For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. 11 Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
Christian Living
 
12 But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who preside over you in the Lord and give you instruction. 13 In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
 
14 And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
 
15 Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
 
16 Rejoice at all times. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
 
19 Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt, 21 but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Final Blessings and Instructions
 
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless * 5:23 Or may your spirit, soul, and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.
 
25 Brothers, pray for us as well.
 
26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
 
27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
 
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.† 5:28 BYZ and TR include Amen.

*5:23 5:23 Or may your spirit, soul, and body be kept entirely blameless

†5:28 5:28 BYZ and TR include Amen.

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