1 Thessalonians 5:7
For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Greco-Roman culture featured heavy drinking, especially at nighttime symposia (drinking parties). Jewish tradition also associated drunkenness with night, as respectable people drank moderately during day. Paul uses this cultural norm metaphorically: spiritual drunkenness (worldliness, carelessness) belongs to the kingdom of darkness. Isaiah prophesied: 'They are drunken, but not with wine... for the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep' (Isa 29:9-10)—spiritual stupor plaguing those who reject truth. Believers must avoid both literal drunkenness (Eph 5:18) and metaphorical intoxication by worldly values.
Questions for Reflection
- What forms of 'drunkenness' (loss of self-control, intoxication by worldly values) tempt you despite being a 'child of day'?
- How does living in light of Christ's imminent return affect your participation in activities that 'belong to the night'?
- What evidence demonstrates that your life is oriented toward 'day' (Christ's return) rather than 'night' (present evil age)?
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Analysis & Commentary
For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night—hoi gar kathedontes nyktos katheudousin, kai hoi methyskomenoi nyktos methyousin (οἱ γὰρ καθεύδοντες νυκτὸς καθεύδουσιν, καὶ οἱ μεθυσκόμενοι νυκτὸς μεθύουσιν). Paul extends the metaphor: sleeping and drunkenness belong to night (darkness, evil, ignorance). Nyx (νύξ, 'night') represents the present evil age before Christ's return ushers in eternal day. Both sleep (spiritual lethargy) and drunkenness (loss of self-control) characterize those 'in darkness.'
The contrast between night-people (who sleep, get drunk, live carelessly) and day-people (who watch, stay sober, live vigilantly) mirrors the contrast between unbelievers and believers. This isn't moralism (believers are better people) but eschatology (believers live in light of coming day). The verse also carries literal application: drunkards typically drink at night, concealing behavior in darkness. But Paul's primary meaning is metaphorical—unbelievers live as if in perpetual night, ignorant of approaching day. Believers live as if dawn is imminent, because it is (Rom 13:11-12).