Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Thessalonians 5:6

6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others : but let us watch and be sober .

The Apostle draws this Inference from the foregoing verses in a twofold Duty, 1. N[illegible: 1 letter]gative, sleep is not proper for the children of the day, but of the night: And as the night and darkness are to be taken metaphorically, so the sleep. And though it hath several acceptions in Scripture, yet it is here taken for security. As the natural sleep binds up the sences, and men are not aware of approaching danger, so doth the sleep of the Soul. It darkens the mind, stupifies the Spiritual sence, that men prepare not for the coming of Christ, nor to avoid the destruction that will then come suddenly upon them, and Rom. 1[illegible: 1 letter].11, 12. is a place parallel to this. It is high time to awaken out of sleep, &c. The night is far spent, the day is at hand, &c.

2. Positive, Watching stands contrary to sleep, the senses are then in exercise, which were bound up by sleep, when the Soul is watching the faculties are in a Spiritual exercise to apprehend both our Interest and our Duty, to take hold of that which is good, and to avoid the evil, the evil of sin, and the evil of suffering. But watching here in the Text especially refers to the coming of Christ, to prepare for it, that we may not be surprised as others will, and to be in a readiness to be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless, 2 Pet. 3.14.

Sobriety is reckoned to be one branch of temperance, and one of the Fruits of the Spirit, Gal. 5.23. and one link of the chain of Grace, 2 Pet. 1.6. It hath its name in the Greek signifying either soundness of mind, or continency of mind; a mind kept or held within its due bounds. It is usually taken for moderation in meats and drinks, setting bounds to the Appetite, but it extends to all earthly things, as Honour, Riches, Pleasures, to have our affections to them, our cares about them, our endeavours after them kept within due bounds; and all this upon the account of Christ's coming as a necessary preparation for it, vid. 1 Cor. 7.29, 30, 31. 1 Pet. 4.7. Sobriety and watching are here joyn'd together, and so 1 Pet. 4.7. and 5.8. For as intemperance in meats and drinks makes the body dull and sleepy, so without temperance and sobriety the soul will be disinabled to watch.

Marginal references: Matth. 24.42.