The
First Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians Chapter 5:6
6
Therefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be
sober.
(Read
Isaiah
21:6; Ezekiel 3:17)
Study
notes
This
is to say As the rest of the Gentiles, as unconverted persons, who
are in a state of darkness, and are children of the night; let us not
act that part they do, or be like them; which professors of religion
too much are, when they indulge themselves in carnal lusts and
pleasures, and are careless and thoughtless about the coming of the
day of the Lord; and get into a stupid, drowsy, and slumbering frame
of spirit; when grace lies dormant as if it was not, and they grow
backward to, and slothful in the discharge of duty, and content
themselves with the bare externals of religion; and become lukewarm
and indifferent with respect to the truths and ordinance of the
Gospel, the cause of God, the interest of religion, and glory of
Christ; and are unconcerned about sins of omission or commission: and
are willing to continue in such a position, being displeased at every
admonition and exhortation given them to awake; but this is very
unbecoming children of the light, and of the day. Therefore let us
set a watchman over ourselves, our hearts, thoughts, affections,
words and actions; and over others, our fellow Christians, that they
give not into bad principles and evil practices; and against sin, and
all appearance of it; against the temptations of Satan, (1
Peter 5:8) the snares of the world, and the errors of wicked men,
who lie in wait to deceive; and in the word and ordinances, and
particularly in prayer, both unto it, in it, and after it; and for
the second coming of Christ, with faith, affection, and patience; and
the rather, because of the uncertainty of the time of it.
Also
to be sober in so far as not only in body, abstaining from excessive
eating and drinking, using this world, and the good things of it, so
as not to abuse them, or ourselves with them; but also in mind, that
the heart be overcharged with the cares of this world; for men may be
inebriated with the world, as well as with wine; and the one is as
prejudicial to the soul as the other is to the body; for an
immoderate care for, and pursuit after the world, chokes the word,
makes it unfruitful, and runs persons into divers snares and
temptations, and hurtful lusts. The Arabic version renders it, "let
us repent"; and the Ethiopic version, "let us understand";
as intending the sobriety of the mind, repentance being an after
thought of the mind, a serious reflection on past actions with sorrow
and concern; and thinking soberly, and not more highly than a man
ought to think of himself, his gifts, his attainments and abilities,
in opposition to pride, vanity, and self-conceit, is very becoming;
and shows a true and well informed understanding and judgment, and
that a man is really sober and himself.
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