1 Thessalonians 5:3
What does 1 Thessalonians 5:3 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 5:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Thessalonians 5:3 means
Paul sketches the world’s complacency: while people are confidently saying that all is secure, sudden ruin descends—like a pregnant woman’s labor pains. The comparison shows both inevitability and inescapability. Judgment arrives neither by human scheduling nor by popular expectation but by divine decree. The warning is not aimed to frighten faithful believers but to expose the folly of false peace apart from God. Those who dismiss God’s rule and Christ’s return will not avoid the consequences. The verse underscores the urgency of readiness; the moment of apparent calm is no guarantee. God’s day comes with certainty and force, and human assurances cannot shield against it.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000When 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901When 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949When they say, There is peace and no danger, then sudden destruction will come on them, as birth-pains on a woman with child; and they will not be able to get away from it.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for when they may say, Peace and surety, then sudden destruction doth stand by them, as the travail <FI>doth<Fi> her who is with child, and they shall not escape;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890When they may say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon her that is with child; and they shall in no wise escape.
Context
This verse continues the thief-in-the-night theme by describing the world’s illusion of security. It sharpens the contrast Paul will make next: believers are not in darkness. Verses 4–5 will stress Christian identity as children of light and day, which explains why the Day of the Lord need not catch them unawares. The movement goes from the fate of the unprepared to the calling of the prepared, leading directly into exhortations to stay awake and sober (verses 6–8) and to embrace the hope of salvation rather than dread of wrath (verses 9–10).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 73:18
Surely thou settest them in slippery places: Thou castest them down to destruction.
- Judges 20:41
And the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were dismayed; for they saw that evil was come upon them.
- Isaiah 56:12
Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to-morrow shall be as this day, a day great beyond measure.
- Jeremiah 13:21
What wilt thou say, when he shall set over thee as head those whom thou hast thyself taught to be friends to thee? shall not sorrows take hold of thee, as of a woman in travail?
- Exodus 15:9
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
- Daniel 5:3
Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, drank from them.
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