The answer is: Drunkenness

1 Th 5:7

In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul paints a vivid picture of the struggles faced by the early church, and the urgency of his warning not to succumb to temptations that could waste their spiritual potential. When he mentions "night" in relation to drunkenness, he alludes to more than just the hour on the clock; night traditionally symbolizes times of moral and spiritual confusion, away from the light of clarity and truth.

Drunkenness, as a metaphor, conveys the loss of self-control and awareness, leading one astray from their higher calling. In Paul’s time, drinking was part of social life, but it was very much tied to activities that separated folks from their community’s virtuous path—kind of like how parties can lead people to behave rather out of character today.

Fascinatingly, Paul wasn’t the only biblical author who warned of the dangers of drunkenness. Proverbs 20:1 and Ephesians 5:18, for example, play along the same theme, emphasizing that alcohol can cloud judgment and lead people down a path of foolish choices. And if you think about nighttime in the ancient world, it was what Paul had called "the day of the Lord"; he's highlighting the importance of staying alert in both body and spirit. What an intriguing reminder that if we want to walk in the light—the good path of life—we need to stay sober-minded and clear-headed! It drives home the point of wisdom and accountability within community—key themes that thread throughout biblical narratives.