This verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:7, uses the common activities of sleeping and getting drunk at night as a metaphor to contrast the behavior of believers with that of the unsaved world. Let's break it down:
"For those who sleep, sleep in the night..." This refers to physical sleep, but also symbolically represents spiritual inactivity, ignorance, and being unaware of God's purposes and the impending return of Christ. People who are spiritually "asleep" are unconcerned with spiritual matters and are living according to worldly desires. They are not alert to the signs of the times.
"...and those who are drunk are drunk in the night." This again refers to physical intoxication, but symbolizes spiritual intoxication with the things of the world: pleasures, possessions, and distractions that cloud judgment and lead to unwise and immoral behavior. The "night" is a time of darkness and hidden activities, often associated with evil and lack of restraint. Those who are spiritually "drunk" are consumed by worldly pursuits and are not sober-minded or self-controlled.
In essence, the verse is saying:
The world operates according to its own darkness. People who are not believers are spiritually asleep and intoxicated with worldly things. This behavior is expected of them because they live in spiritual darkness.
Context within 1 Thessalonians 5:
This verse is part of a larger passage (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11) where Paul is exhorting the believers in Thessalonica to be alert and sober because they are children of light, not of darkness. He encourages them to be different from the world, to be watchful, and to live in a way that is pleasing to God in anticipation of Christ's return. The verse emphasizes the need for believers to be spiritually awake, self-controlled, and living righteously in the light of Christ's imminent return. They are to be aware of the times and not be caught off guard like those who are asleep or drunk.
In summary, 1 Thessalonians 5:7 is a contrast between the behaviors expected of those living in spiritual darkness versus those who are children of the light. It emphasizes the need for vigilance, sobriety, and righteous living in anticipation of the Lord's return.
This verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:7, uses the common activities of sleeping and getting drunk at night as a metaphor to contrast the behavior of believers with that of the unsaved world. Let's break it down:
"For those who sleep, sleep in the night..." This refers to physical sleep, but also symbolically represents spiritual inactivity, ignorance, and being unaware of God's purposes and the impending return of Christ. People who are spiritually "asleep" are unconcerned with spiritual matters and are living according to worldly desires. They are not alert to the signs of the times.
"...and those who are drunk are drunk in the night." This again refers to physical intoxication, but symbolizes spiritual intoxication with the things of the world: pleasures, possessions, and distractions that cloud judgment and lead to unwise and immoral behavior. The "night" is a time of darkness and hidden activities, often associated with evil and lack of restraint. Those who are spiritually "drunk" are consumed by worldly pursuits and are not sober-minded or self-controlled.
In essence, the verse is saying:
The world operates according to its own darkness. People who are not believers are spiritually asleep and intoxicated with worldly things. This behavior is expected of them because they live in spiritual darkness.
Context within 1 Thessalonians 5:
This verse is part of a larger passage (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11) where Paul is exhorting the believers in Thessalonica to be alert and sober because they are children of light, not of darkness. He encourages them to be different from the world, to be watchful, and to live in a way that is pleasing to God in anticipation of Christ's return. The verse emphasizes the need for believers to be spiritually awake, self-controlled, and living righteously in the light of Christ's imminent return. They are to be aware of the times and not be caught off guard like those who are asleep or drunk.
In summary, 1 Thessalonians 5:7 is a contrast between the behaviors expected of those living in spiritual darkness versus those who are children of the light. It emphasizes the need for vigilance, sobriety, and righteous living in anticipation of the Lord's return.