Chapter 5

1 Thessalonians 5:3 - "And they shall never escape" (NASB). There is a double negation used for "never," which is the strongest negation in Greek. It means that there is no possible way for them to get out of this destruction. Not a single person will escape. There is no relief (like a woman in labor) until the deed is done.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 - God did not destine the saved to wrath (obviously). But did He destine others to wrath? This verse would seem to indicate so. There is not a negative without a positive. Why would Paul have to assert this fact if the reverse was not true? (See Puritan John Bunyan "Reprobation Asserted" for a very balanced view of reprobation.)

1 Thessalonians 5:10 - Here we have the concept of substitutionary atonement. The previous verse mentions the wrath, and this verse speaks of Christ dying (i.e., taking that wrath) on our behalf.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 - Paul uses very gentle language here, but I am not sure why. He uses a subjunctive of the word "request" translating, "We would ask/request..." The request he makes does not appear to be difficult, so why he would resort to such phraseology is uncertain. Under similar circumstances, he would use an imperative of command saying, "You must appreciate those..." rather than "We would request that you appreciate..." In just the next few verses, he uses a long string of imperatives. Perhaps, he tip-toes when it comes to asking for respect for leaders, since he is a leader. It might be a humility issue.