1 Thessalonians 5:4

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 in Other Translations

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

4 But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this?

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief:

4 But, brothers and sisters, you don't live in the dark. That day won't take you by surprise as a thief would.

4 But you, brothers, are not in the dark, so that this day would overtake you like a thief.

4 Brothers and sisters, you are not in darkness. So that day should not surprise you as a thief would.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Thessalonians 5:4

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness
In a state of unregeneracy, which is a state of darkness, blindness, and ignorance, and which is the condition of all men by nature; they are born in darkness, and are brought up in it, and willingly, walk in it; they are covered with it, as the earth was covered with darkness in its first creation; and dwell in it, as the Egyptians did for some days, in thick darkness, darkness which might be felt; their understandings are darkened with respect to the true knowledge of God, the nature of sin, the way of salvation by Christ, the work of the spirit of God upon the soul, and the necessity of it, the Scriptures of truth, and the mysteries of the Gospel; and which is the case of God's elect themselves, while unregenerate: but now these persons were called out of darkness, turned from it, and delivered from the power of it; and therefore knew that the day of the Lord comes as above described, by the metaphors of a thief in the night, and a woman with child, and needed not to be informed about that matter: or

that that day should overtake you as a thief;
or seize and lay hold upon you as a thief who comes in the dark, and lays hold upon a person suddenly; but these saints were not in the dark, but in the light, and so could see when the day of the Lord came; and would not be surprised with it, as a man is seized with terror and fright, when laid hold on by a thief; since they would be, or at least should be on their watch, and be looking out for, and hasting to the coming of the day of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 In-Context

2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.

Cross References

• 1. S Acts 26:18; 1 John 2:8
• 2. ver 2