Paul Addresses Waiting
The Second Question (1-3)
The second question Paul addressed concerning the Lord’s coming was when He would come. Paul used a couple of metaphors in his answer, first stating Jesus would come like a thief at night; thus, no one would know the exact moment, except it would happen suddenly, unexpectedly, and in the spiritual night of the world's history (1-2). Humanity would assume it was at peace and safe from God, but then Christ’s coming would begin the birth pains of the new world, from which none could escape (3).
Paul’s Instructions on How to Live Waiting (5:4-28)
Walk in the Day (4-11)
Paul then made it clear: followers of Jesus live in the nighttime but are not of the night (4). They belong to the new day about to begin (5). They are to keep awake—a metaphor for staying alert and sober (6). Sobriety is a metaphor for not coming under the influence of immediate gratification and sensuality (7).
As those who walk in the day, we are to protect our hearts (longings and emotions) with faith and love and our minds with the hope of His fulfilled promises (8). Paul then used his last metaphor of sleep, defining death as not the termination of life but merely an awaiting to be awakened in God’s new world, where His followers will be saved from the wrath to come (9-11).
Final Instructions (12-28)
In light of waiting for the Lord to come, Paul gave a list of final instructions regarding the church’s practices:
They were to honor their leaders (12-13).
They were not to be idle, but all were encouraged to work (14).
They were never to be retaliatory in nature (15).
They were always to express joy (16).
They were ever to be praying (17).
They were to refuse to grumble but give thanks in every situation (19).
They were not to quench the Spirit by looking down on prophecy (20-21).
They were to abstain from doing things that had a form of being evil (22).
Paul’s aim was complete separation to God, where they would be found without any shame residue in their hearts (23-24). Paul then concluded by reminding them to pray for him and not to neglect greeting each other affectionately. Finally, Paul had them commit to reading his letter so the grace of God could be upon them (25-28).
Parental Proverbs (1:8-9:18)
The form of this chapter and last discourse is in parable form where we see Lady Wisdom inviting guests to come and dine with her.
Thirteenth Discourse: “Wisdom's Invitation” (9:1-18)
The guarantee is made again: “reverential trust” is where wisdom comes from, and experiential knowledge in the holiness of God gives a person an understanding of life, length of life, and personal rewards in life (10-12).
Finally, the “House of Wisdom” is contrasted with the “House of Folly” (13-18).
Folly is “loud,” or controlled by her lusts. She is “seductive,” or unable to resist her impulses. She “knows nothing,” ignoring the consequences of her actions (13).
Lady Folly, in mimic fashion to Lady Wisdom, is sitting in a conspicuous place, but as a whore, her home is without pillars as she calls to the masses (14). She calls to those determined to pass her by (15), and she calls to those who are gullible (16).
Lady Wisdom offers meat and wine; Lady Folly offers “stolen water” and “bread eaten in secret,” implying illicit sex is more enjoyable than godly marriage (17).
The wise go on to Lady Wisdom; the naive enter and have sex with Lady Folly and become morally dead, spiritual ghosts (18).