1– 5. ‘ We have been speaking of Christ’ s Return. As to the time when that will take place, Brothers, we do not need to say anything further. For you yourselves have already been fully informed that the coming of the Day of the Lord is as unexpected as the coming of a thief in the night. It is just when men are feeling most secure that ruin confronts them suddenly as the birth-pang a travailing woman, and escape is no longer possible. But as for you, Brothers, the case is very different. You are living in the day-light now: and therefore the coming of the Day will not catch you unawares.’ 1. Περὶδὲτ. χρόνωνκτλ.] Vg. de temporibus autem et momentis, Beza porto de temporibus et opportunitatibus. The two words (cf. Acts 1:7, Daniel 2:21; Daniel 7:12, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Sap. 8:8; P.Lond. 1:42, 1:23 f. (2./b.c.) τοσούτουχρόνουἐπιγεγονότοςκαὶτοιούτωνκαιρῶν) are often distinguished as if they referred to longer and shorter periods of time respectively (Beng.: χρόνων partes, καιροί), but χρόνος rather expresses simply duration, time viewed in its extension, and καιρός a definite space of time, time with reference both to its extent and character: cf. Titus 1:2 f. where this distinction comes out very clearly, ἣν (sc. ζωὴναἰώνιον) ἐπηγγείλατοὁἀψευδὴςθεὸςπρὸχρόνωναἰωνίωνἐφανέρωσενδὲκαιροῖςἰδίοις. In the present instance therefore χρόνων may be taken as a general description of the ‘ ages’ that may elapse before tho Parousia, while καιρῶν draws attention to the critical ‘ periods’ (articuli) by which these ‘ ages’ will be marked. In the N.T. καιρός is very common with an eschatological reference, probably, as Herr suggests (1 Pet. p. 51), owing to the manner of its use in Daniel (9:27 &c.): cf. Mark 13:33, Luke 21:8; Luke 21:24, Acts 3:19, Ephesians 1:10, 1 Timothy 6:15, Titus 1:3, Hebrews 9:10, Revelation 1:3; Revelation 11:18; Revelation 22:10. It should be noted however that it is by no means limited by St Paul to its special use, but is also used of time generally, e.g. Romans 3:26; Romans 8:18, 1 Corinthians 7:29, Ephesians 5:16 (with Robinson’ s note). See further Trench Syn. § 57., and for an interesting discussion of the Gk. idea of καιρός see Butcher Harvard Lectures on Greek Subjects (1904) p. 117 ff. The distinction alluded to above survives in mod. Gk. where χρόνος = ‘ year,’ and καιρός = ‘ weather.’ On ἀδελφοί see 1:4 note, and on οὐχρ. ἔχ. see 4:9 note.