You are all children of light, and children of the day. We don't belong to the night, nor to darkness,
      IV. He tells them how comfortable this day will be to the righteous, 1 Thessalonians 5:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:5. Here observe, 1. Their character and privilege. They are not in darkness; they are the children of the light, c. This was the happy condition of the Thessalonians as it is of all true Christians. They were not in a state of sin and ignorance as the heathen world. They were some time darkness, but were made light in the Lord. They were favoured with the divine revelation of things that are unseen and eternal, particularly concerning the coming of Christ, and the consequences thereof. They were the children of the day, for the day-star had risen upon them yea, the Sun of righteousness had arisen on them with healing under his wings. They were no longer under the darkness of heathenism, nor under the shadows of the law, but under the gospel, which brings life and immortality to light. 2 Timothy 1:10. 2. Their great advantage on this account: that that day should not overtake them as a thief,1 Thessalonians 5:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:4. It was at least their own fault if they were surprised by that day. They had fair warning, and sufficient helps to provide against that day, and might hope to stand with comfort and confidence before the Son of man. This would be a time of refreshing to them from the presence of the Lord, who to those that look for him will appear without sin unto their salvation, and will come to them as a friend in the day, not as a thief in the night.