1 Thessalonians 5:10

Contextual Overview

⁶ so let's not be asleep, like the rest are; on the contrary, let us stay alert and sober. ⁶ So then do not let us sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober; ⁶ so then let's not sleep, as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober. ⁶ Therefore, let us not fall asleep like others do, but let us stay awake and be sober.Matthew 24:42; Romans 13:11-13; 1 Peter 5:8;">[xr] ⁶ Sleep we not, therefore, as the rest; but be wakeful and sober. ⁶ Let us not therefore sleep, like others; but let us be vigilant and considerate. ⁶ so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober. ⁶ So then, let us not take our rest as the others do, but let us be self-controlled and awake. ⁶ So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. ⁶ Therefore let vs not sleepe as do other, but let vs watch and be sober.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

died: Matthew 20:28, John 10:11, John 10:15, John 10:17, John 15:13, Romans 5:6-8, Romans 8:34, Romans 14:8, Romans 14:9, 1 Corinthians 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:15, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 5:2, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18

whether: 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:17

Reciprocal: Psalms 4:8 - I will Psalms 139:18 - when I awake Matthew 27:52 - slept Mark 5:39 - not dead John 11:11 - sleepeth Acts 7:60 - he fell Romans 14:7 - General 1 Corinthians 4:9 - as Galatians 2:19 - that Galatians 2:20 - but Galatians 5:22 - love 2 Timothy 2:11 - we shall Revelation 14:13 - die

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Who died for us,.... The elect of God, who are not appointed to wrath, but to salvation by Christ, on which account he died for them; not merely as a martyr to confirm his doctrine, or only by way of example, but as a surety, in the room and stead of his people; as a sacrifice for their sins, to make atonement for them, and save them from them; so that his death lays a solid foundation for hope of salvation by him:

that whether we wake or sleep: which phrases are to be understood, not in the same sense in which they are used in the context; as if the sense was, whether a man indulges himself in sin, and gives way to sleep and sloth, and carnal security, or whether he is awake and on his watch and guard, he shall through the death of Christ have eternal life secured to him; not but that there is a truth in this, that eternal life and salvation by Christ, as it does not depend on our watchfulness, so it shall not be hindered by the sleepy, drowsy frame of spirit, the children of God sometimes fall into: but rather natural sleep and waking are intended; and the meaning is, that those for whom Christ died are always safe, sleeping or waking, whatever they are about and employed in, and in whatsoever situation and condition they are in this world; though it may be best of all to interpret the words, of life and death; and they may have a particular regard to the state of the saints at Christ's second coming, when some will be awake, or alive, and others will be asleep in Christ, or dead; and it matters not which they are, whether living or dead; see Romans 14:7 for the end of Christ's dying for them, and which will be answered in one as well as in another, is, that

we should live together with him: Christ died for his people, who were dead in trespasses and sins, that they might live spiritually a life of sanctification from him, and a life of justification on him, and by him; and that they might live a life of communion with him; and that they might live eternally with him, in soul and body, in heaven, and reign with him there, and partake of his glory; and this all the saints will, whether they be found dead or alive at his coming; for the dead will immediately arise, those that sleep in the dust will awake at once, and they that are alive will be changed, and both will be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and be for ever with him: now the consideration of the death of Christ, and this end of it, which will certainly be answered, serves greatly to encourage hope of salvation by him, and faith in him, and an earnest expectation of his second coming.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Who died for us - That is, to redeem us. He designed by his death that we should ultimately live with him; and this effect of his death could be secured only as it was an atoning sacrifice.

Whether we wake or sleep - Whether we are found among the living or the dead when he comes. The object here is to show that the one class would have no advantage over the other. This was designed to calm their minds in their trials, and to correct an error which seems to have prevailed in the belief that those who were found alive when he should return would have some priority over those who were dead; see the notes on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Should live together with him - See the notes at John 14:3. The word rendered “together” (ἁμα hama) is not to be regarded as connected with the phrase “with him” - as meaning that he and they would be “together,” but it refers to those who “wake and those who sleep” - those who are alive and those who are dead - meaning that they would be “together” or would be with the Lord “at the same time;” there would be no priority or precedence. Rosenmuller.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 10. Who died for us — His death was an atoning sacrifice for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews.

Whether we wake or sleep — Whether we live or die, whether we are in this state or in the other world, we shall live together with him-shall enjoy his life, and the consolations of his Spirit, while here; and shall be glorified together with him in the eternal world. The words show that every where and in all circumstances genuine believers, who walk after God, have life and communion with him, and are continually happy, and constantly safe. The apostle, however, may refer to the doctrine he has delivered, 1 Thessalonians 4:15, concerning the dead in Christ rising first; and the last generation of men not dying, but undergoing such a change as shall render them immortal. On that great day, all the followers of God, both those who had long slept in the dust of the earth, and all those who shall be found living, shall be acknowledged by Christ as his own, and live together for ever with him.