1 Thessalonians 5:7-8

1 Thessalonians 5:7-8

[7] For  they that sleep  in the night;  and  they that be drunken  are drunken  in the night.  [8] But  of the day,  be sober,  putting on  the breastplate  of faith  and  love;  and  for an helmet,  the hope  of salvation. 

What does 1 Thessalonians 5:7-8 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Behavior consistent with their position in Christ required watchful preparation in view of the future. As soldiers engaged in spiritual warfare, they needed to protect their vital parts with trust in God and love for others (cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 3:5; Isaiah 59:17; Romans 13:12; 2 Corinthians 6:7; 2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:14-17). They also needed to protect their thinking from attack by keeping their sure hope of deliverance at Christ"s appearing in mind (i.e, the Rapture). Note the recurrence of the triad of faith, hope, and love, as in 1 Thessalonians 1:3.