King James Version

What Does 1 Thessalonians 5:3 Mean?

1 Thessalonians 5:3 in the King James Version says “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child ...” — study this verse from 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“For 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.”

1 Thessalonians 5:3 · KJV

Peace

Context

1

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3

For 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.

4

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

5

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For 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—hotan legōsin, Eirēnē kai asphaleia, tote aiphnidios autois ephistatai olethros hōsper hē ōdin tē en gastri echousē, kai ou mē ekphygōsin (ὅταν λέγωσιν, Εἰρήνη καὶ ἀσφάλεια, τότε αἰφνίδιος αὐτοῖς ἐφίσταται ὄλεθρος ὥσπερ ἡ ὠδὶν τῇ ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσῃ, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἐκφύγωσιν). Peace and safety (eirēnē kai asphaleia, εἰρήνη καὶ ἀσφάλεια) describes false security—when the world feels safe, aiphnidios olethros (αἰφνίδιος ὄλεθρος, 'sudden destruction') strikes.

The birth-pang metaphor emphasizes inevitability and suddenness—as labor pains arrive unexpectedly yet certainly, so Christ's return. Jesus used similar imagery (Matt 24:8; Mark 13:8). Ou mē ekphygōsin (οὐ μὴ ἐκφύγωσιν, 'they shall not escape')—double negative for emphatic denial. No escape exists for those unprepared. This contrasts believers (who watch, vv. 4-8) with unbelievers (who say 'peace' while destruction approaches). The parallel to Noah's flood is striking: while mockers feasted, judgment came (Matt 24:37-39). False security blinds people to impending doom.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Pax Romana ('Roman Peace') dominated Paul's era—military might enforced stability, and Rome's propaganda proclaimed eternal security. Yet Paul warns: worldly 'peace and safety' is illusion; sudden destruction will shatter false confidence. Throughout history, civilizations at their zenith collapse unexpectedly—Babylon, Persia, Rome, countless others. Contemporary Western prosperity fosters similar complacency: people assume stability while ignoring moral decay, rejecting God, and presuming immunity from judgment. Paul's warning remains urgent: crying 'peace' doesn't prevent destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. What contemporary voices cry 'peace and safety' while ignoring spiritual realities and coming judgment?
  2. How do you avoid false security based on present prosperity while maintaining biblical awareness of sudden destruction's possibility?
  3. What does the inevitability of labor pains teach about Christ's return and God's judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
ὅταν1 of 22

“when”

G3752

whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as

γὰρ2 of 22

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

λέγωσιν3 of 22

“they shall say”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Εἰρήνη4 of 22

“Peace”

G1515

peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity

καὶ5 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀσφάλεια6 of 22

“safety”

G803

security (literally or figuratively)

τότε7 of 22

“then”

G5119

the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)

αἰφνίδιος8 of 22

“sudden”

G160

unexpected, i.e., (adverbially) suddenly

αὐτοῖς9 of 22

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐφίσταται10 of 22

“cometh upon”

G2186

to stand upon, i.e., be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literal)

ὄλεθρος11 of 22

“destruction”

G3639

ruin, i.e., death, punishment

ὥσπερ12 of 22

“as”

G5618

just as, i.e., exactly like

ἡ13 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὠδὶν14 of 22

“travail”

G5604

a pang or throe, especially of childbirth

τῇ15 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐν16 of 22

“upon”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

γαστρὶ17 of 22

“a woman with child”

G1064

the stomach; by analogy, the matrix; figuratively, a gourmand

ἐχούσῃ18 of 22
G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

καὶ19 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐ20 of 22
G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μὴ21 of 22
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἐκφύγωσιν22 of 22

“escape”

G1628

to flee out

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Thessalonians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Thessalonians 5:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Thessalonians 5:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 21:34-35Matthew 24:37-39Luke 17:26-30Revelation 18:7-8Proverbs 29:1Psalms 73:18-20

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