1 Thessalonians 5:8

But let us. In strong contrast with those whose conduct is described in v. 7.

Sober. Continuing, by repetition, the thought begun in v. 6.

Putting on. That the Christian needs to put on certain qualities implies that he is not naturally clothed in them. Here Paul tells him to don defensive spiritual armor, implying that war is in progress and that the Christian will need to safeguard himself from attack (see on Eph. 6:11, 12). For a fuller treatment of the Christian panoply see on Rom. 13:12, 14; 2 Cor. 10:4; Eph. 6:13-17.

The breastplate. See on Eph. 6:14, where the breastplate is defined as being “of righteousness” (cf. Isa. 59:17; 2 Cor. 6:7).

Of faith and love. That is, the breastplate which is faith and love. The two qualities, faith and love, are integral parts of righteousness. Faith is the active laying hold of that righteousness that Christ imparts to the believer. Love, that great attribute of God’s character (1 John 4:8), is shed abroad in our hearts by God’s Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5). The apostle had already commended the Thessalonians for their exercise of these qualities (1 Thess. 1:3). Here he urges them and all Christians to make fuller use of these attributes as sure defenses in their conflict with evil.

Helmet. See Eph. 6:17, where this piece of armor is defined as being “of salvation,” whereas here Paul describes it as being “the hope of salvation.” In so doing he teaches that salvation, in its ultimate stage, lies still in the future (see Matt. 24:13; Heb. 9:28; 1 Peter 3:5).