Fathers

1 Thessalonians 5

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But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you. For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman. Then they will in no way escape. But you, brothers, aren’t in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief. You are all children of light and children of the day. We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness, so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep in the night; and those who are drunk are drunk in the night. But since we belong to the day, let’s be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God didn’t appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do. But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and to respect and honor them in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. We exhort you, brothers: Admonish the disorderly; encourage the faint-hearted; support the weak; be patient toward all. See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good for one another and for all. Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. Don’t quench the Spirit. Don’t despise prophecies. Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it. Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Pray without ceasing; In every thing giving thanks: for this is the will of God." Always to give thanks, this is a mark of a philosophic soul. Hast thou suffered any evil? But if thou wilt, it is no evil. Give thanks to God, and the evil is changed into good. Say thou also as Job said, "Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever." (Job i. 21) For tell me, what such great thing hast thou suffered? Has disease befallen thee? Yet it is nothing strange. For our body is mortal, and liable to suffer. …

Homily on 1 Thessalonians 10 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

The Apostle showed the path to constant joy, to unceasing prayer, and to thanksgiving. For whoever is accustomed to turning to God and thanks Him for everything that has served for his benefit — that person will obviously have constant joy. How then will you always give thanks? If you realize that it is the will of God for you to always be grateful to Him, as your constant benefactor in Christ Jesus, that is, through the cooperation of the Lord Jesus. …

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians ↗

Ignatius of Antioch

Having obtained good proof that thy mind is fixed in God as upon an immoveable rock, I loudly glorify [His name] that I have been thought worthy [to behold] thy blameless face, which may I ever enjoy in God! I entreat thee, by the grace with which thou art clothed, to press forward in thy course, and to exhort all that they may be saved. Maintain thy position with all care, both in the flesh and spirit. Have a regard to preserve unity, than which nothing is better. Bear with all, even as the Lord does with thee. …

Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

And who observed and noticed the cause of his groaning? "All my desire is before Thee." For it is not before men who cannot see the heart, but it is before Thee that all my desire is open! Let your desire be before Him; and "the Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee." For it is thy heart's desire that is thy prayer; and if thy desire continues uninterrupted, thy prayer continueth also. …

Commentary On The Psalms 37.14 ↗

Jerome

'And meditates on his law day and night.' [Psalm 1:2] The psalmist has already mentioned three things one must not do: follow the Counsel of the wicked; stand in the way of sinners; sit in the company of the insolent. These three things we must not do, but there are also two things that we must do, for it will not be sufficient for us to shun evil unless we seek good. 'But delights in the law of the Lord.' The psalm does not say fears the law, but delights in the law. …

Homily 1, on Psalm 1 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Secondly, to pray for the blessings they want to receive. Paul urges, pray constantly. "They ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Lk. 18:1). How is this possible? It may happen in three ways. First, that person who does not neglect the appointed hours for prayer, prays always. "You shall eat at my table always" (2 Sam. 9:7). Secondly, "Pray constantly" means to pray continuously. But then prayer is considered under the aspect of the effect of the prayer. …

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians ↗