1 Thessalonians 5:3
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Original Language Analysis
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
1 of 22
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
λέγωσιν
they shall say
G3004
λέγωσιν
they shall say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Εἰρήνη
Peace
G1515
Εἰρήνη
Peace
Strong's:
G1515
Word #:
4 of 22
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τότε
then
G5119
τότε
then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
7 of 22
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 22
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
ἐφίσταται
cometh upon
G2186
ἐφίσταται
cometh upon
Strong's:
G2186
Word #:
10 of 22
to stand upon, i.e., be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literal)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γαστρὶ
a woman with child
G1064
γαστρὶ
a woman with child
Strong's:
G1064
Word #:
17 of 22
the stomach; by analogy, the matrix; figuratively, a gourmand
ἐχούσῃ
G2192
ἐχούσῃ
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
18 of 22
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐ
G3756
Cross References
Hebrews 2:3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;Proverbs 29:1He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.2 Thessalonians 1:9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;2 Peter 2:4For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;Jeremiah 4:31For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.Isaiah 56:12Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.Psalms 48:6Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.Jeremiah 6:24We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, as of a woman in travail.Jeremiah 22:23O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!Jeremiah 13:21What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?
Historical Context
Pax Romana ('Roman Peace') dominated Paul's era—military might enforced stability, and Rome's propaganda proclaimed eternal security. Yet Paul warns: worldly 'peace and safety' is illusion; sudden destruction will shatter false confidence. Throughout history, civilizations at their zenith collapse unexpectedly—Babylon, Persia, Rome, countless others. Contemporary Western prosperity fosters similar complacency: people assume stability while ignoring moral decay, rejecting God, and presuming immunity from judgment. Paul's warning remains urgent: crying 'peace' doesn't prevent destruction.
Questions for Reflection
- What contemporary voices cry 'peace and safety' while ignoring spiritual realities and coming judgment?
- How do you avoid false security based on present prosperity while maintaining biblical awareness of sudden destruction's possibility?
- What does the inevitability of labor pains teach about Christ's return and God's judgment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape—hotan legōsin, Eirēnē kai asphaleia, tote aiphnidios autois ephistatai olethros hōsper hē ōdin tē en gastri echousē, kai ou mē ekphygōsin (ὅταν λέγωσιν, Εἰρήνη καὶ ἀσφάλεια, τότε αἰφνίδιος αὐτοῖς ἐφίσταται ὄλεθρος ὥσπερ ἡ ὠδὶν τῇ ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσῃ, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἐκφύγωσιν). Peace and safety (eirēnē kai asphaleia, εἰρήνη καὶ ἀσφάλεια) describes false security—when the world feels safe, aiphnidios olethros (αἰφνίδιος ὄλεθρος, 'sudden destruction') strikes.
The birth-pang metaphor emphasizes inevitability and suddenness—as labor pains arrive unexpectedly yet certainly, so Christ's return. Jesus used similar imagery (Matt 24:8; Mark 13:8). Ou mē ekphygōsin (οὐ μὴ ἐκφύγωσιν, 'they shall not escape')—double negative for emphatic denial. No escape exists for those unprepared. This contrasts believers (who watch, vv. 4-8) with unbelievers (who say 'peace' while destruction approaches). The parallel to Noah's flood is striking: while mockers feasted, judgment came (Matt 24:37-39). False security blinds people to impending doom.