Kýrie Eleison :
X. The argument based on 1 Thessalonians 5 falls into the same error, but in a different way. According to the speaker, the apostle is talking about how when they speak of peace and safety, sudden destruction comes like labor pains. The text of the scripture is indeed this (1Thess 5:3): "ὅταν λέγωσιν εἰρήνη καὶ ἀσφάλεια, τότε αἰφνίδιος αὐτοῖς ἐφίσταται ὄλεθρος" - "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them". The subject and object of the sentence, however, are sharply separated from those to whom the apostle is speaking, and the next verse makes this unquestionable (1Thess 5:4): "ὑμεῖς δέ, ἀδελφοί, οὐκ ἐστὲ ἐν σκότει" - "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness". The image of labor pain here, therefore, does not refer to the believers, but to those for whom the day arrives unexpectedly, and the content of the image is not the timing, but the suddenness and the impossibility of escape. The purpose of the passage is not chronological information, but an exhortation to sobriety and watchfulness, which is also confirmed by the comforting conclusion of the passage (1Thess 5:10): "ἵνα εἴτε γρηγορῶμεν εἴτε καθεύδωμεν ἅμα σὺν αὐτῷ ζήσωμεν" - "that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.".
2026-09-26 13:27:58