For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:7KJV
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1 Thessalonians 5:7 (KJV)

What does 1 Thessalonians 5:7 mean?

1 Thessalonians 5:7 points out that people usually sleep or get drunk at night, using this as a picture to make a point about spiritual alertness and behavior. The verse draws a contrast between nighttime activities and the kind of wakefulness or self-control Paul wants for his readers.

Paul is writing to the Thessalonian Christians, encouraging them to live in a way that is different from those who are spiritually "asleep" or careless. In the wider context, Paul is talking about being ready for the "day of the Lord" and not being caught off guard. The verse uses ordinary nighttime habits—sleeping and drunkenness—as symbols for spiritual unawareness and lack of self-control.

The Greek behind 1 Thessalonians 5:7

  • "Sleep" (καθεύδουσιν, katheudousin): This Greek word often means more than just physical sleep; it can also suggest being unaware or indifferent, especially in a spiritual sense. Paul uses it here to highlight a lack of alertness.
  • "Drunken" (μεθύουσιν, methuousin; μεθύσκονται, methyskontai): Both forms refer to being drunk, but the second is a passive form, meaning "are made drunk." The repetition and variation stress the idea of losing self-control, which Paul contrasts with the alertness he wants for believers.
  • "Night" (νύκτος, nyktos): Night in this verse is not just a time of day but also a symbol for darkness, secrecy, or moral carelessness. Paul uses it to represent the opposite of the "day," which stands for awareness and readiness.

Why 1 Thessalonians 5:7 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that Paul is using everyday activities as metaphors, not just giving advice about literal sleep or drinking.
  • The contrast between night and day in this passage sets up the call for believers to live with alertness and self-control, themes that run through the surrounding verses.
  • Understanding the symbolic use of "night" and "sleep" here helps connect this verse to the larger theme of being prepared for Christ's return, a key concern in 1 Thessalonians 5.

Where else these words appear

“drunken” Greek G3182 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
  • Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

“drunken” Greek G3184 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 24:49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
  • Acts 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
  • Revelation 17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

“sleep” Greek G2518 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
  • Matthew 26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
  • Mark 14:40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again,(for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

“night” Greek G3571 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 2:14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
  • Luke 21:37 And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
  • Acts 26:7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.