New International VersionWhile people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
New Living TranslationWhen people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
English Standard VersionWhile people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Berean Standard BibleWhile people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Berean Literal BibleFor when they might say, "Peace and security," then suddenly destruction comes upon them, as the labor pains to her having in womb; and they shall not escape.
King James BibleFor when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
New King James VersionFor when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
New American Standard BibleWhile they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
NASB 1995While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.
NASB 1977While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Legacy Standard BibleWhile they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman who is pregnant, and they will never escape.
Amplified BibleWhile they are saying, “Peace and safety [all is well and secure!]” then [in a moment unforeseen] destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains on a woman with child, and they will absolutely not escape [for there will be no way to escape the judgment of the Lord].
Christian Standard BibleWhen they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Holman Christian Standard BibleWhen they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
American Standard VersionWhen they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.
Contemporary English VersionPeople will think they are safe and secure. But destruction will suddenly strike them like the pains of a woman about to give birth. And they won't escape.
English Revised VersionWhen they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationWhen people say, "Everything is safe and sound!" destruction will suddenly strike them. It will be as sudden as labor pains come to a pregnant woman. They won't be able to escape.
Good News TranslationWhen people say, "Everything is quiet and safe," then suddenly destruction will hit them! It will come as suddenly as the pains that come upon a woman in labor, and people will not escape.
International Standard VersionWhen people say, "There is peace and security," destruction will strike them as suddenly as labor pains come to a pregnant woman, and they will not be able to escape.
NET BibleNow when they are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape.
New Heart English BibleNow when they are saying, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.
Webster's Bible TranslationFor when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Weymouth New TestamentWhile they are saying "Peace and safety!" then in a moment destruction falls upon them, like birth-pains on a woman who is with child; and escape there is none. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor while people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
World English BibleFor when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman. Then they will in no way escape. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor when they may say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes [on] them, as the travail [on] her who is with child, and they will not escape;
Berean Literal BibleFor when they might say, "Peace and security," then suddenly destruction comes upon them, as the labor pains to her having in womb; and they shall not escape.
Young's Literal Translation for when they may say, Peace and surety, then sudden destruction doth stand by them, as the travail doth her who is with child, and they shall not escape;
Smith's Literal TranslationFor when they say, Peace and security; then sudden ruin is upon them, as anguish in her with child; and they may not escape. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor when they shall say, peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape.
Catholic Public Domain VersionFor when they will say, “Peace and security!” then destruction will suddenly overwhelm them, like the labor pains of a woman with child, and they will not escape.
New American BibleWhen people are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
New Revised Standard VersionWhen they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor when they shall say: Peace and tranquility; then sudden destruction will come upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishWhen they shall say, “There is peace and quiet”, then suddenly destruction shall arise upon them as labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they shall not escape. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentfor when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as the pains of birth upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape.
Godbey New Testament
When they may say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes on them, as travail upon a woman in gestation; and they can not escape.
Haweis New Testament
For when they say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction rusheth upon them, as travail on a woman with child, and they shall in no wise escape.
Mace New Testament
whilst they flatter themselves with peace and safety, destruction shall fall upon them, like the pangs of a woman in travail, and they shall not escape.
Weymouth New Testament
While they are saying "Peace and safety!" then in a moment destruction falls upon them, like birth-pains on a woman who is with child; and escape there is none.
Worrell New Testament
When they are saying, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in nowise escape.
Worsley New Testament
And when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Day of the Lord… 2For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3Whilepeople are saying,“Peaceandsecurity,”destructionwill comeupon themsuddenly,likelabor painsona pregnant woman,andthey will not escape.4But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.…
Cross References Matthew 24:43-44But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. / For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.
Luke 17:26-30Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man: / People were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. / It was the same in the days of Lot: People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. ...
2 Peter 3:10But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.
Revelation 3:3Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.
Revelation 16:15“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed.”
Jeremiah 6:14They dress the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace at all.
Ezekiel 13:10Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built,
Isaiah 13:6-9Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty. / Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt. / Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another, their faces flushed with fear. ...
Joel 2:1-2Blow the ram’s horn in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the Day of the LORD is coming; indeed, it is near— / a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like the dawn overspreading the mountains a great and strong army appears, such as never was of old, nor will ever be in ages to come.
Amos 5:18-20Woe to you who long for the Day of the LORD! What will the Day of the LORD be for you? It will be darkness and not light. / It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake. / Will not the Day of the LORD be darkness and not light, even gloom with no brightness in it?
Zephaniah 1:14-18The great Day of the LORD is near—near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter. / That day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, / a day of horn blast and battle cry against the fortified cities, and against the high corner towers. ...
Matthew 24:37-39As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. / For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. / And they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.
Luke 21:34-35But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. / For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth.
1 Corinthians 15:52in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels / in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. / They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,
Treasury of Scripture For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes on them, as travail on a woman with child; and they shall not escape. Peace. Deuteronomy 29:19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: Judges 18:27,28 And they tookthe things which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a peoplethat were at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire… Psalm 10:11-13 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never seeit… then. Exodus 15:9,10 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them… Joshua 8:20-22 And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers… Judges 20:41,42 And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them… as. Psalm 48:6 Fear took hold upon them there,and pain, as of a woman in travail. Isaiah 43:6-9 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; … Isaiah 21:3 Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearingof it; I was dismayed at the seeingof it. and they. Matthew 23:33Ye serpents,ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heardhim; Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, Jump to Previous AbleBirthBirth-PainsChildDestructionEscapeFallsLaborMomentPainsPeacePregnantSafetyStandSuddenSuddenlySuretyTravailWayWiseJump to Next AbleBirthBirth-PainsChildDestructionEscapeFallsLaborMomentPainsPeacePregnantSafetyStandSuddenSuddenlySuretyTravailWayWise1 Thessalonians 5 1.He proceeds in the description of Christ's coming to judgment;16.and gives various instructions;23.and so concludes the epistle.While people are saying, “Peace and security,”This phrase reflects a false sense of safety and complacency among people. In the historical context of the Roman Empire, "peace and security" was a common slogan, as the Pax Romana promised stability and order. Biblically, this mirrors the warnings of false prophets in Jeremiah 6:14 and Ezekiel 13:10, who proclaimed peace when there was none. It highlights the danger of trusting in worldly assurances rather than in God. destruction will come upon them suddenly,
The suddenness of destruction is reminiscent of the unexpected nature of the Day of the Lord, a theme prevalent in prophetic literature such asJoel 1:15 andZephaniah 1:14-15. This sudden destruction is a divine judgment, emphasizing the unpredictability of God's timing and the futility of human security measures. It serves as a warning to remain vigilant and spiritually prepared. like labor pains on a pregnant woman,
This simile is used elsewhere in Scripture, such as inIsaiah 13:8 andMatthew 24:8, to describe the inevitability and increasing intensity of end-time events. Labor pains are unavoidable and come with increasing frequency and intensity, symbolizing the inescapable and progressive nature of divine judgment. It underscores the certainty and seriousness of the coming destruction. and they will not escape.
This phrase emphasizes the totality and inescapability of God's judgment. It echoes the sentiment found inAmos 9:1-4, where escape from divine judgment is impossible. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of ignoring God's warnings and the importance of living in readiness for Christ's return. Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter to the Thessalonians, providing guidance and encouragement to the early Christian community. 2. ThessalonicaA city in Macedonia where the early church was established. The recipients of Paul's letter were part of this community. 3. The Day of the LordA future event referenced in the context of this passage, signifying a time of divine judgment and fulfillment of God's promises. 4. People Saying 'Peace and Security'Represents those who are complacent or unaware of the impending judgment, trusting in false assurances. 5. Labor PainsA metaphor used to describe the sudden and inescapable nature of the coming destruction. Teaching Points The Illusion of SecurityMany people place their trust in worldly assurances of peace and security, but these are often deceptive and temporary. The Suddenness of God's JudgmentJust as labor pains come unexpectedly, so will the Day of the Lord. Believers must remain vigilant and prepared. The Importance of Spiritual ReadinessChristians are called to live in a state of readiness, continually aligning their lives with God's will and purposes. The Danger of ComplacencyComplacency can lead to spiritual unpreparedness. Believers must actively pursue a relationship with God and be aware of the times. Hope in Christ Amidst JudgmentWhile the passage warns of destruction, it also points to the hope and security found in Christ for those who are faithful. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from 1 Thessalonians 5
1 Thessalonians 5:3 – How do we reconcile sudden destruction coming on unbelievers with historical evidence of prolonged periods of peace?
What does 'travail' mean in the Bible?
What are the biblical birth pains?
What does "travail" mean in the Bible?(3) They.--Quite vague and general, like the French on. The plural is so used frequently in St. Luke ( Luke 12:11; Luke 12:20, margin; Luke 16:9, probably; Luke 23:29-31). Of course, however, no Christian could say so, for they are ever on the watch, so that "they" will mean "the world." The word "for" at the beginning of the verse should (according to the best MSS.) be struck out--the abruptness helps to enforce the lesson. Peace and safety.--Carrying on the thought suggested by the word "night; they are taking their repose in security, without dreaming of any interruption to their slumbers. Is it possible that there may here be a faint recollection of the parable related inMatthew 25:1-13? . . . Verse 3. - For; the best manuscripts omit this conjunction; the description is continuous. When they shall say; namely, the unbelieving world. Peace and safety; peace denoting internal rest, and safety external security. Sudden destruction cometh upon them. When they thought themselves most secure, they were then in the greatest danger; when they were most off their guard, then the crisis came. As travail upon a woman with child. The primary point of resemblance is certainly the suddenness and unexpectedness of the event; as labor comes upon a woman suddenly, so sudden destruction cometh upon the ungodly world. Still, however, the unavoidableness of the judgment may also be here intimated; there is no possibility of escape: this is implied in the last clause, and they shall not escape.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Whileὅταν(hotan)Conjunction
Strong's 3752:When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as.[people] are saying,λέγωσιν(legōsin)Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.“PeaceΕἰρήνη(Eirēnē)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1515:Probably from a primary verb eiro; peace; by implication, prosperity.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.security,”ἀσφάλεια(asphaleia)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 803:Safety, security, reliability, firmness. From asphales; security.destructionὄλεθρος(olethros)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3639:Ruin, doom, destruction, death. From a primary ollumi; ruin, i.e. Death, punishment.will comeἐφίσταται(ephistatai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2186:To stand by, be urgent, befall one (as of evil), be at hand, impend. From epi and histemi; to stand upon, i.e. Be present.upon themαὐτοῖς(autois)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.suddenly,αἰφνίδιος(aiphnidios)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 160:Unexpected, sudden. From a compound of a and phaino; unexpected, i.e. suddenly.likeὥσπερ(hōsper)Adverb
Strong's 5618:Just as, as, even as. From hos and per; just as, i.e. Exactly like.labor painsὠδὶν(ōdin)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5604:The pain of childbirth, acute pain, severe agony, a snare. Akin to odune; a pang or throe, especially of childbirth.onτῇ(tē)Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.a pregnant woman,ἐχούσῃ(echousē)Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2192:To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.they will not escape.ἐκφύγωσιν(ekphygōsin)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1628:To flee out, away, escape; with an acc: I escape something. From ek and pheugo; to flee out.
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NT Letters: 1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they are saying Peace (1 Thess. 1 Thes. 1Th iTh i Th) |
