◄ 1 Thessalonians 5:5 ►
Verse  (Click for Chapter)
New International Version
You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

New Living Translation
For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

English Standard Version
For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.

Berean Standard Bible
For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

Berean Literal Bible
For you are all sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night nor of darkness.

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

New King James Version
You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

New American Standard Bible
for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;

NASB 1995
for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;

NASB 1977
for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;

Legacy Standard Bible
for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;

Amplified Bible
for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We do not belong to the night nor to darkness.

Christian Standard Bible
For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.

American Standard Version
for ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness;

Contemporary English Version
You belong to the light and live in the day. We don't live in the night or belong to the dark.

English Revised Version
for ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You belong to the day and the light not to the night and the dark.

Good News Translation
All of you are people who belong to the light, who belong to the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

International Standard Version
For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness.

Majority Standard Bible
You are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

NET Bible
For you all are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness.

New Heart English Bible
You are all children of light, and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night, nor to darkness,

Webster's Bible Translation
Ye are all children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Weymouth New Testament
for all of you are sons of Light and sons of the day. We belong neither to the night nor to darkness.

World English Bible
You are all children of light and children of the day. We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
you are all sons of light, and sons of day; we are not of night, nor of darkness,

Berean Literal Bible
For you are all sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night nor of darkness.

Young's Literal Translation
all ye are sons of light, and sons of day; we are not of night, nor of darkness,

Smith's Literal Translation
Ye are all sons of light, and sons of day: we are not of night, nor of darkness.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For all you are the children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For all of you are sons of light and sons of daytime; we are not of nighttime, nor of darkness.

New American Bible
For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness.

New Revised Standard Version
for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You are all the children of light, and the children of the day; and you are not the children of the night, nor the children of darkness.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For you are all children of light and children of the day and you are not children of the night, neither children of darkness.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
You are all sons of light, and sons of day: we are not of night, nor of darkness.

Godbey New Testament
for you are all the sons of light, and the sons of day: we are not of night, nor of darkness;

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

Mace New Testament
you inherit the advantages of meridian light: we are not involv'd in the obscurity of night.

Weymouth New Testament
for all of you are sons of Light and sons of the day. We belong neither to the night nor to darkness.

Worrell New Testament
for ye are all sons of light, and sons of day; we are not of night, nor of darkness.

Worsley New Testament
ye are all children of the light, and of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Day of the Lord
…4But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. 5For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.…
Berean Standard Bible · Download


Cross References
Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

John 12:36
While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.” After Jesus had spoken these things, He went away and was hidden from them.

Romans 13:12
The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Colossians 1:13
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,

1 John 1:5-7
And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. / If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. / But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Philippians 2:15
so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. / For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. / Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Isaiah 9:2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.

Psalm 27:1
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?

Proverbs 4:18
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.

Micah 7:8
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Luke 16:8
And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

John 12:36
While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

Acts 26:18
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

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1 Thessalonians 5
1. He proceeds in the description of Christ's coming to judgment;
16. and gives various instructions;
23. and so concludes the epistle.














Berean Study Bible
For you are all
This phrase emphasizes the inclusivity of Paul's message to the Thessalonian believers. The Greek word for "all" (πάντες, pantes) underscores the collective identity of the church as a unified body. Historically, the early Christian communities were diverse, comprising Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, yet Paul affirms their shared identity in Christ. This unity is a powerful testament to the transformative work of the Gospel, breaking down societal barriers and creating a new family in Christ.

sons of the light
The term "sons" (υἱοί, huioi) in Greek conveys a deep relational connection, often implying inheritance and identity. "Light" (φῶς, phōs) is a recurring biblical metaphor for purity, truth, and divine revelation. In the Jewish tradition, light symbolizes God's presence and guidance, as seen in the Psalms and the prophetic writings. By calling the Thessalonians "sons of the light," Paul is affirming their new identity in Christ, who is the true Light of the world (John 8:12). This identity calls believers to live in a manner that reflects God's holiness and truth.

and sons of the day
The phrase "sons of the day" complements "sons of the light," reinforcing the idea of living in the open, under God's scrutiny, and in alignment with His will. The "day" (ἡμέρα, hēmera) in biblical literature often symbolizes the time of God's salvation and the eschatological hope of Christ's return. Historically, the early Christians lived with an expectation of Christ's imminent return, which motivated them to live righteously. This phrase encourages believers to conduct themselves in a way that is consistent with their identity and hope in Christ.

We do not belong to the night
The "night" (νύξ, nux) is frequently associated with sin, ignorance, and separation from God. In the Greco-Roman world, night was often a time for immoral activities, hidden from the light of day. By stating "we do not belong to the night," Paul is drawing a clear distinction between the Christian life and the ways of the world. This separation is not just moral but also spiritual, as believers are called to be distinct from the darkness of sin and to live in the light of Christ's righteousness.

or to the darkness
"Darkness" (σκότος, skotos) in Scripture is emblematic of evil, chaos, and the absence of God's presence. It is the realm of Satan and his forces, as well as the state of those who are spiritually blind. Archaeologically, the imagery of light and darkness was prevalent in many ancient cultures, often representing the cosmic struggle between good and evil. For the Thessalonians, and for all believers, this phrase serves as a reminder of their deliverance from the power of darkness through Christ's redemptive work. It is a call to live in the freedom and truth of the Gospel, rejecting the deeds of darkness and embracing the light of Christ.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(5) Ye are all.--St. Paul recognises no exceptions, no inner distinctions, among the members of the Church: all stand alike so far as grace, privileges, and duties are concerned. The following exhortation shows that it was a matter of each man's free will whether he would sustain his character as a "child of light" or not.

Children of light.--The expression is an enthusiastic Hebrew poetical turn for intimate vital connection with anything; thus, e.g., "children of this world" (Luke 16:8; Luke 20:34) = "mere products of this age," with a family likeness for other worldly people; "the son of peace" (Luke 10:6)=a person with whom peace has a natural affinity, to whom the "peace" pronounced will cleave naturally. So "children of the light" are persons to whom darkness is an alien thing, whose natures have a kinship, an intuitive responsiveness for whatever may be called "light." To such persons the "light," the "day," can never come as an unwelcome, startling apparition.

We.--Notice St. Paul's courtesy again: he suddenly includes himself in his exhortation.

Pulpit Commentary
Verse 5. - Ye are all the children of the light, and the children of the day. Hebraistic expressions denoting, Ye all belong to the light and to the day. An affirmation, strengthening the previous declaration. The light and the day are synonymous expressions - the day being the period of light, as opposed to the night and darkness. We are not of the night, nor of darkness; rendering the positive assertion more emphatic.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

you
ὑμεῖς (hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

are
ἐστε (este)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

all
πάντες (pantes)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

sons
υἱοὶ (huioi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of [the] light
φωτός (phōtos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457: Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

sons
υἱοὶ (huioi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of [the] day;
ἡμέρας (hēmeras)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

we do not belong
ἐσμὲν (esmen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

to [the] night
νυκτὸς (nyktos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3571: The night, night-time. A primary word; 'night'.

[or]
οὐδὲ (oude)
Conjunction
Strong's 3761: Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.

to [the] darkness.
σκότους (skotous)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4655: Darkness, either physical or moral. From the base of skia; shadiness, i.e. Obscurity.


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NT Letters: 1 Thessalonians 5:5 You are all children of light (1 Thess. 1 Thes. 1Th iTh i Th)
1 Thessalonians 5:4
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