Suddenly (160)(aiphnidios from aíphnes = unexpected, sudden) describes that which is unexpected or unforeseen. It is something that one cannot anticipate nor understand how it happened.
In the present verse aiphnidios is at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis and refers to the sudden, unexpected, unforeseen destruction accompanying the last 3.5 year period referred to as the Great Tribulation (Mt 24:21), the time of Jacob's distress or trouble (Jeremiah 30:7 "Alas! for that day is great, There is none like it; And it is the time of Jacob's distress, But he will be saved from it.") or the time of distress in (Daniel 12:1 "...And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.")
The only other NT use of aiphnidios is in Luke 21:34 (click discussion of this verse).
Suddenly stands emphatically at the beginning of the sentence.
MacDonald comments on this fateful time writing that...
There will be an air of confidence and security in the world. Then God’s judgment will suddenly begin to descend with vast destructive force. Destruction does not mean loss of being, or annihilation; it means loss of well-being, or ruin as far as the purpose of one’s existence is concerned. It will be as inevitable and unavoidable as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. From this judgment there will be no escape for unbelievers. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson or Logos)
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http://www.preceptaustin.org/1thessalonians_51-3.htm#suddenly
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Greek Word Studies ( - )
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