Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
they—the men of the world. I Thessalonians 5:5-6; I Thessalonians 4:13, "others," all the rest of the world save Christians.
Peace— (Judges 18:7, Judges 18:9, Judges 18:27-28; Jeremiah 6:14; Ezekiel 13:10).
then—at the very moment when they least expect it. Compare the case of Belshazzar, Daniel 5:1-6, Daniel 5:9, Daniel 5:26-28; Herod, Acts 12:21-23.
sudden—"unawares" (Luke 21:34).
as travail—"As the labor pang" comes in an instant on the woman when otherwise engaged (Psalms 48:6; Isaiah 13:8).
shall not escape—Greek, "shall not at all escape." Another awful feature of their ruin: there shall be then no possibility of shunning it however they desire it (Amos 9:2-3; Revelation 6:15-16).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Thessalonians 5:3:
Ecclesiastes 8:7
Song of Solomon 2:9
Isaiah 13:8
Ezekiel 7:25
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