1 Thessalonians Chapter 5 · Verse 2

Authorized King James Version

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For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

Original Language Analysis

αὐτοὶ yourselves G846
αὐτοὶ yourselves
Strong's: G846
Word #: 1 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
γὰρ For G1063
γὰρ For
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 2 of 14
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἀκριβῶς perfectly G199
ἀκριβῶς perfectly
Strong's: G199
Word #: 3 of 14
exactly
οἴδατε know G1492
οἴδατε know
Strong's: G1492
Word #: 4 of 14
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι that G3754
ὅτι that
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 5 of 14
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἡ G3588
ἡ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 6 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέρα the day G2250
ἡμέρα the day
Strong's: G2250
Word #: 7 of 14
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
κυρίου of the Lord G2962
κυρίου of the Lord
Strong's: G2962
Word #: 8 of 14
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ὡς as G5613
ὡς as
Strong's: G5613
Word #: 9 of 14
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
κλέπτης a thief G2812
κλέπτης a thief
Strong's: G2812
Word #: 10 of 14
a stealer (literally or figuratively)
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 11 of 14
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
νυκτὶ the night G3571
νυκτὶ the night
Strong's: G3571
Word #: 12 of 14
"night" (literally or figuratively)
οὕτως so G3779
οὕτως so
Strong's: G3779
Word #: 13 of 14
in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)
ἔρχεται cometh G2064
ἔρχεται cometh
Strong's: G2064
Word #: 14 of 14
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

Analysis & Commentary

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night—autoi gar akribōs oidate hoti hēmera Kyriou hōs kleptēs en nykti houtōs erchetai (αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀκριβῶς οἴδατε ὅτι ἡμέρα Κυρίου ὡς κλέπτης ἐν νυκτὶ οὕτως ἔρχεται). Akribōs (ἀκριβῶς, 'accurately/perfectly') indicates thorough prior teaching. Hēmera Kyriou (ἡμέρα Κυρίου, 'day of the Lord') is an OT concept (Joel 2:1-11; Amos 5:18-20; Zeph 1:14-18) describing God's intervention in judgment and salvation. For believers, it brings vindication (1:10; 4:17); for unbelievers, destruction (v. 3).

As a thief in the night (hōs kleptēs en nykti, ὡς κλέπτης ἐν νυκτί)—Jesus used this image (Matt 24:43-44; Luke 12:39-40), emphasizing suddenness and surprise, not secrecy. Thieves come unexpectedly when households sleep; Christ will return when the world is unprepared. This metaphor warns against complacency: since timing is unknown, constant readiness is required. Peter (2 Pet 3:10) and Jesus (Rev 3:3; 16:15) repeat this warning. The day's inevitability combined with timing's uncertainty creates eschatological tension: live expectantly without date-setting, watchfully without anxiety.

Historical Context

The 'day of the Lord' concept dominated Jewish eschatology—God would intervene to judge wickedness and vindicate His people. Paul applies this to Christ's return, merging judgment and salvation. For the church, the day brings glorification; for the world, devastation (v. 3). Early Christians maintained constant readiness, viewing each day as potentially Christ's return. This urgent expectation motivated holiness, evangelism, and mutual encouragement. Later generations sometimes lost this urgency; recovering expectant watchfulness while avoiding date-setting fanaticism remains the challenge.

Questions for Reflection