Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will…

“Re 12:7), to whom especially is committed the guardianship of the people of God (Da 10:13). trump of God--the trumpet blast which usually accompanies God's manifestation in glory (Ex 19:16; Ps 47:5); here the last of the three accompaniments of His appearing: as the trumpet…”

After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

“His point being established, that the dead in Christ shall be on terms of equal advantage with those found alive at Christ's coming, he leaves undefined here the other events foretold elsewhere (as not being necessary to his discussion), Christ's reign on earth with His…”

For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

“Ye have no reason for fear, or for being taken by surprise, by the coming of the day of the Lord: "For ye are all sons (so the Greek) of light and sons of day"; a Hebrew idiom, implying that as sons resemble their fathers…”

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

“This verse is to be taken in the literal sense. Night is the time when sleepers sleep, and drinking men are drunk. To sleep by day would imply great indolence; to be drunken by day, great shamelessness.”

For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Christ "acquired (so the Greek for 'purchased') the Church (and its salvation) with His own blood" (Ac 20:28); each member is said to be appointed by God to the "acquiring of salvation."”

But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who preside over you in the Lord and give you instruction.

“Paul's practice seems to have been to ordain elders in every Church soon after its establishment (Ac 14:23). them which labour . . . are over . . .”

In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

“At the same time, the word "work," teaches ministers that, while claiming the reverence due to their office, it is not a sinecure, but a "work"; compare "labor" (even to weariness: so the Greek), 1Th 5:12.”

And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.

“Paul practiced what he preached (1Co 9:22). be patient toward all men--There is no believer who needs not the exercise of patience "toward" him; there is none to whom a believer ought not to show it; many show it more to strangers than to their…”

Rejoice at all times.

“Php 4:4, 6, "Rejoice in the Lord . . . by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving"; Ro 14:17, "in the Holy Ghost"; Ac 5:41, "in being counted worthy to suffer shame for Christ's name";”

Abstain from every form of evil.

“In many cases the Christian should not abstain from what has the semblance ("appearance") of evil, though really good.”

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“And "whole (entire)," individually, each one of them entire, with "spirit, soul, and body." The mention of the preservation of the body accords with the subject (1Th 4:16).”

Brothers, pray for us as well.

“Some oldest manuscripts read, "Pray ye also for (literally, 'concerning') us"; make us and our work the subject of your prayers, even as we have been just praying for you (1Th 5:23). Others omit the "also." The clergy need much the prayers of their flocks.”

I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

“I charge--Greek, "I adjure you." read unto all--namely, publicly in the congregation at a particular time. The Greek aorist tense implies a single act done at a particular time.”

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

“(See on 2Co 13:14.) Paul ends as he began (1Th 1:1), with "grace." The oldest manuscripts omit "Amen," which probably was the response of the Church after the public reading of the Epistle. The subscription is a comparatively modern addition.”