What is the meaning of 1 Thessalonians 5:4?

But you, brothers

• Paul speaks to fellow believers as family, reminding them that they belong to the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).

• The “but” creates a contrast with those earlier described as caught unprepared (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

• Because they are “brothers,” they share the same inheritance and promises (Romans 8:17), and the counsel that follows is meant for the saved, not the lost.

---

Are not in the darkness

• Darkness in Scripture pictures ignorance of God and bondage to sin (John 8:12; Ephesians 5:8).

• In Christ, believers have been transferred “from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of the Son” (Colossians 1:13).

• Walking in the light means truth is revealed and deception is exposed, so believers need not fear hidden surprises (1 John 1:7).

---

So that this day

• “This day” refers to the Day of the Lord, the future period when God intervenes in judgment and consummation (Isaiah 13:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).

• For the world, it is a day of wrath; for the redeemed, it is a day of rescue and reunion with Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

• Awareness of the day shapes priorities: living uprightly, encouraging one another, staying alert (Titus 2:13; Hebrews 10:25).

---

Should overtake you

• The verb pictures sudden capture; yet believers, being informed, cannot be seized unawares (Luke 21:34-36).

• Preparedness flows from:

– Remaining sober-minded (1 Peter 1:13)

– Clothing ourselves with faith, love, and the hope of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

– Abiding daily in Christ, so confidence replaces panic (1 John 2:28).

---

Like a thief

• For the world, the Lord’s coming arrives “like a thief in the night” (2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 16:15).

• A thief’s hallmark is surprise; but those who keep watch, as a homeowner who stays awake (Matthew 24:43), are not caught off guard.

• Therefore, vigilance is not fear-driven but hope-driven, grounded in the certainty that God keeps His promises (2 Corinthians 1:20).

---

summary

Believers are family, living in the light, informed about the coming Day of the Lord, and equipped to stay alert. Because of that, the Day cannot ambush them. Instead of anxiety, they cultivate readiness, holiness, and hopeful anticipation of Christ’s return.