1 Thessalonians 5:3
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.
Study Note
Study Note
'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.' The false security of 'peace and safety' (eirēnē kai asphaleia) was likely the political slogan of the Pax Romana — the imperial promise of order and stability. Against this backdrop, Paul declares that the day of the Lord will arrive like labor pains: unexpected, irresistible, and inescapable. Jeremiah 6:14's 'they have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace' and Ezekiel 13:10's false prophets provide the Old Testament antecedents for this critique of comfortable complacency.
Other Translations
When 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.
for 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;
When 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.
Cross References
Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon …
And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, …
Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook …
And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was …
And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business with any man; and …
And they took the things which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto …
And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains …
And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were …
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.