Ver. 1. But of the times and the seasons] When Christ shall come to judgment, this is to be reckoned inter arcana imperii. [See Trapp on “Mt 24:36”] The times and the seasons God hath put in his own power, Acts 1:7. This is a key that he keepeth under his own girdle. Let it suffice us to know that “this is the last hour,” that “the ends of the world are come upon us, and that the Lord is at hand.” “The time is short” (saith our apostle, 1 Corinthians 7:29), or rolled up, as a piece of cloth, only a little left at the end. Moses brake the tables 1582 years before the birth of Christ. Nou existimo, &c., I do not think (saith holy Melancthon) that the time since the end of the Jewish polity shall be much longer than that was before the end thereof. Watch, therefore, and “be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless,” 2 Peter 3:14.
Ver. 2. The day of the Lord] That day, by a specialty, Luke 21:34, that great day, Revelation 6:17, that day of the declaration of God’s just judgment, Romans 2:5,16, that day of Christ, 2 Thessalonians 2:2, of God, 2 Peter 3:12, wherein he will show himself to be God of gods and Lord of lords. As a thief in the night] Who giveth no warning, Matthew 24:43. [See Trapp on “Mt 24:43”]
Ver. 3. For when they shall say] Security is the certain usher of destruction, as in Benhadad’s army, and Pompey’s before the Pharsalian field. Some of them contended for the priesthood, which was Caesar’s office, others disposed of the consulships and offices in Rome, as if all were already their own; Pompey himself being so wretchedly reckless, that he never considered into what place he were best to retire if he lost the day. Then shall sudden destruction] As philosophers say, that before a snow the weather will be warmish; when the wind lies, the great rain falls; and the air is most quiet when suddenly there will be an earthquake. As travail upon a woman] 1. Certainly; 2. Suddenly; 3. Irresistibly, inevitably.
Ver. 4. Should overtake you as a thief] Though it come upon you as a thief in a time uncertain. Free you are from the destruction of that day, though not altogether free from the distraction of it, till somewhat recollected you remember that now your redemption draweth nigh. Hence the saints love Christ’s appearing, 2 Timothy 4:8; look for it with outstretched necks, and long after it, Revelation 22:20.
Ver. 5. We are not of the night, &c.] Alexander willed that the Grecians and barbarians should no longer be distinguished by their garments, but by their manners (Qu. Curtius); so should the children of light and of darkness.
Ver. 6. As do others] What wonder that the Grecians live loosely? saith Chrysostom; but that Christians do so, this is worse, yea, intolerable. But let us watch and be sober] We must not be like Agrippa’s dormouse that would not awake till cast into boiling lead, or Matthiolus’s asses fed with hemlock, that lie for dead, and are half hilded ere they can be aroused. (Comment. in Dioscor.) But rather we should resemble Aristotle and others, who were wont to sleep with brazen balls in their hands, which failing on vessels purposely set on their beds’ sides, the noise did dissuade immoderate sleep.
Ver. 7. Are drunk in the night] But now, alas, drunkenness is become a noonday devil. Once Peter’s argument (saith Mr Harris) was more than probable, “These men are not drunk, for it is but the third hour of the day.” Now men are grown such husbands as that by that time they will return their stocks, and have their brains crowing before day.
Ver. 8. Be sober] Drunkenness misbeseemeth any man, but especially a saint; for it robs him of himself, and lays a beast in his room. Putting on the breastplate of faith and love] Faith is the forepart of this breastplate, whereby we embrace Christ, and love the hinder part thereof, whereby we embosom the saints.
Ver. 9. God hath not appointed us] As he hath all drunken beasts, 1 Corinthians 4:10. Yet, all those dry drunkards, Isaiah 28:1, that will not awake (though never so much warned) out of the snare of the devil, &c., 2 Timothy 2:25.
Ver. 10. Whether we wake or sleep] That is, live or die, our souls cannot miscarry; because God will have out the full price of his Son’s death. See Romans 14:8. [See Trapp on “Ro 14:8”]
Ver. 11. Comfort yourselves together] This he subjoins as a singular help to the practice of the former points of duty. Social charity whets on to love and good works, as iron whets iron, as one billet kindleth another, &c.
Ver. 12. And we beseech you, brethren] Do not so exhort and edify one another as to think that now the public ministry is no further useful or needful. Let your pastors have all due respect, be your gifts never so eminent.