1 Thessalonians 5:7

For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

For {G1063} they that sleep {G2518} sleep {G2518} in the night {G3571}; and {G2532} they that be drunken {G3182} are drunken {G3184} in the night {G3571}.

People who sleep, sleep at night; and people who get drunk, get drunk at night.

For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that are drunken are drunken in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5:7 (KJV) states, "For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night." This verse is a powerful metaphor used by the Apostle Paul to contrast the behavior and spiritual state of unbelievers with that of believers, particularly in anticipation of the Day of the Lord.

Context

This verse is embedded within Paul's concluding exhortations to the Thessalonian church, specifically following his discussion on the timing and nature of Christ's return (the "Day of the Lord"). In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, Paul emphasizes that while the exact timing of Christ's coming is unknown, believers are not "in darkness" concerning these events. Instead, they are called to be vigilant and sober, contrasting themselves with those who are spiritually unaware or indulge in worldly excesses. Verse 7 serves as a common-sense observation that illustrates the spiritual warning: just as physical sleep and drunkenness are activities typically associated with the darkness of night, spiritual apathy and moral indulgence belong to those who are not living in the light of Christ.

Key Themes

  • Vigilance vs. Complacency: The primary message is a call for believers to remain spiritually alert and active, rather than falling into complacency or spiritual slumber. This contrasts sharply with the world's tendency towards spiritual indifference.
  • Light vs. Darkness: Paul consistently uses the imagery of light and darkness to differentiate between the Christian life and worldly existence. Believers are described as "children of light, and children of the day" (1 Thess 5:5), implying a lifestyle characterized by truth, righteousness, and awareness.
  • Spiritual Sobriety: The metaphor of drunkenness extends beyond mere alcohol consumption to encompass a state of spiritual recklessness, lack of self-control, and preoccupation with worldly desires that dulls one's spiritual senses. Believers are exhorted to be "sober" in mind and conduct, ready for the Lord's return.
  • Distinctive Christian Living: The verse implicitly encourages believers to live distinctively from the surrounding culture, whose values and behaviors may be characterized by spiritual "night." This aligns with other New Testament calls to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "sleep" and "drunken" to translate the Greek words katheudousin (καθεύδουσιν) and methyousin (μεθύουσιν) respectively. While these literally refer to physical sleep and intoxication, in this context, Paul uses them metaphorically. Katheudousin here signifies spiritual unawareness, apathy, or moral lethargy. Methyousin points to a state of spiritual stupor or being consumed by worldly indulgence and lack of self-control, which blinds one to spiritual realities and the urgency of Christ's coming. The "night" (nyktos - νυκτός) symbolizes the period of spiritual ignorance, moral darkness, and the absence of God's revealed truth.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Thessalonians 5:7 serves as a timeless call to spiritual vigilance and responsible living. It prompts self-examination:

  • Are we spiritually awake? It challenges us to assess if we are living with an awareness of God's presence and purpose, or if we have become complacent and spiritually "asleep."
  • Are we spiritually sober? This means maintaining clear minds, exercising self-control, and not allowing worldly distractions, anxieties, or pleasures to overwhelm our spiritual judgment or commitment to Christ. The passage encourages believers to maintain spiritual vigilance, avoiding the spiritual stupor that can accompany worldly preoccupations.
  • Are we living as children of light? Our conduct and character should reflect the light of Christ, standing in stark contrast to the values and behaviors of those who live in spiritual darkness. This involves actively pursuing righteousness, truth, and love.

Ultimately, this verse is a reminder that our spiritual state has profound implications for how we live and how we anticipate the Lord's return. It is a call to continuous spiritual readiness.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Peter 2:13

    And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, [as] they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots [they are] and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

  • Romans 13:13

    Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:34

    Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak [this] to your shame.

  • Acts 2:15

    For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is [but] the third hour of the day.

  • Daniel 5:4

    They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

  • Daniel 5:5

    In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

  • Proverbs 23:29

    ¶ Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

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