1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

C. Personal watchfulness 5:1-11

In view of the imminency of Christ’s return Paul exhorted the Thessalonians to be ready to meet the Lord at any time.

"The former [paragraph, i.e., 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18] offered instruction concerning the dead in Christ; this [paragraph] gives a word of needed exhortation to the living." [Note: Hiebert, p. 207.]

Other contrasts between these passages are the Rapture and the day of the Lord, and resurrection and judgment.

This pericope deals with the time of Christ’s return and the consequent need for watchfulness.