1 Thessalonians 5:6-7
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The real surprise here is the phrase "as others do." Paul isn't just saying "don't sleep"; he's pointing out that this "sleeping" – being spiritually unaware and unprepared – is the default for many people. He calls us to a conscious, deliberate choice to stay alert and clear-headed, not just as a personal virtue, but as a response to the world around us.
So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is urging the Thessalonian believers to live differently from the world, especially in light of Jesus' promised return. He's just spoken about the unexpected nature of that day, like a thief in the night, and he's about to detail the armor of God believers should wear. This verse calls them to a state of active readiness, contrasting their spiritual wakefulness with the spiritual slumber of those who don't know Christ.
Paul doesn't just tell us to be awake; he warns against a specific kind of slumber. What does this 'sleep' represent, and why is it so crucial to avoid?
Paul uses the metaphor of sleep to describe a state of spiritual unawareness and inactivity. It’s not about physical sleep, but about being dull to spiritual realities, unaware of God's presence, and unresponsive to His calling.
When believers fall into this 'sleep,' they become like everyone else who doesn't know Christ – disconnected from the urgency of God's kingdom and the realities of eternity. This spiritual slumber makes us vulnerable and ineffective.
Paul urges believers to shake off this drowsiness because the 'day of the Lord' is coming. Being awake means being alert to spiritual truths, discerning God’s will, and actively living out our faith.
Beyond just staying awake, Paul calls us to be 'sober.' What does this practical, two-part command mean for our daily lives as followers of Christ?
The command to 'keep awake and be sober' is a powerful call to intentional living. 'Keep awake' speaks to alertness and awareness, being mentally and spiritually sharp.
'Be sober' (or 'self-controlled' in some translations) refers to having a clear mind, disciplined desires, and sound judgment. It’s about resisting the intoxicating influences of the world – its desires, its values, its distractions – that can cloud our spiritual vision.
Together, these two commands are about maintaining a state of readiness and clear-headedness. We are called to live with purpose, making wise decisions that honor God, and staying focused on eternal realities rather than being swayed by fleeting earthly pleasures or anxieties.
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Understand the original words
katheudōmen · Greek Verb
A state of spiritual apathy, moral carelessness, or lack of vigilance regarding the coming of the Lord. It signifies a failure to recognize the urgency of the present age.
grēgorōmen · Greek Verb
A state of moral and spiritual alertness, characterized by constant readiness for Christ's return and watchful attention to one's conduct.
nēphōmen · Greek Verb
The state of being self-controlled, temperate, and clear-headed. It is the opposite of being intoxicated by the values of the world or spiritual lethargy.
nyx · Greek Noun
A metaphor for the present evil age characterized by spiritual darkness, ignorance of God, and moral degradation.
The Thessalonian believers were enduring intense persecution and likely facing pressure to abandon their faith or adopt the world's way of life. Paul urges them to maintain spiritual vigilance, distinguishing themselves from the 'others' who are spiritually asleep to God's imminent judgment and the glorious return of Christ.
c. AD 49-50
Paul Founds Church in Thessalonica
The Apostle Paul, Barnabas, and Silas preach the Gospel in Thessalonica, establishing a vibrant church community. This is a relatively new and fledgling community.
c. AD 50-51
Flight from Thessalonica
Due to intense persecution and riots stirred up by hostile Jews, Paul and Silas are forced to flee Thessalonica, leaving the new believers behind. They are concerned for the believers' spiritual well-being.
c. AD 51— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Thessalonians from Corinth
Having heard reports about the church from Timothy, Paul dictates this letter to the Thessalonians from Corinth. He aims to encourage them in their faith amidst ongoing persecution and to clarify misunderstandings about the return of Christ.
c. AD 52
Timothy Reports on Thessalonian Church
Timothy returns to Paul, bringing encouraging news of the believers' steadfastness and love, but also questions they have regarding the return of the Lord and those who have already died. This prompts further instruction from Paul.
This passage echoes the urgency of 1 Thessalonians 5:6, reminding believers that salvation is nearer now than when they first believed, calling them to throw off works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
1 Peter 5:8Peter warns believers to 'be sober-minded; be watchful.' This directly parallels the call in Thessalonians to be alert and self-controlled, as the devil prowls like a roaring lion.
Matthew 24:42Jesus himself instructs his followers to 'watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.' This highlights the constant need for readiness that 1 Thessalonians 5:6 emphasizes.
Ephesians 5:14This verse directly quotes a presumed ancient hymn about waking up from spiritual slumber, connecting the call to wakefulness with a spiritual awakening to righteousness.
The real surprise here is the phrase "as others do." Paul isn't just saying "don't sleep"; he's pointing out that this "sleeping" – being spiritually unaware and unprepared – is the default for many people. He calls us to a conscious, deliberate choice to stay alert and clear-headed, not just as a personal virtue, but as a response to the world around us.
Paul is urging the Thessalonian believers to live differently from the world, especially in light of Jesus' promised return. He's just spoken about the unexpected nature of that day, like a thief in the night, and he's about to detail the armor of God believers should wear. This verse calls them to a state of active readiness, contrasting their spiritual wakefulness with the spiritual slumber of those who don't know Christ.
Paul is urging the Thessalonian believers to live differently from the world, especially in light of Jesus' promised return. He's just spoken about the unexpected nature of that day, like a thief in the night, and he's about to detail the armor of God believers should wear. This verse calls them to a state of active readiness, contrasting their spiritual wakefulness with the spiritual slumber of those who don't know Christ.
"So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night." — The real surprise here is the phrase "as others do." Paul isn't just saying "don't sleep"; he's pointing out that this "sleeping" – being spiritually unaware and unprepared – is the default for many…
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Last reviewed October 2026
