13But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you do not grieve as the rest do — those who have no hope. [4:14] For since we believe that Jesus died and rose, so also God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. [4:15] For this we say to you by the word of the Lord: that we who are alive, who remain until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep. [4:16] For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God — and the dead in Christ will rise first. [4:17] Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air — and so we will always be with the Lord. [4:18] Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1TH 4:13-18
The Return of the Lord
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Greco-Roman world, death was often viewed with a mix of fear and resignation, particularly for those without a clear hope of an afterlife. The Thessalonians, living in a cosmopolitan Roman colony, would have been familiar with both pagan and Jewish views on death. Pagan traditions often depicted the dead as shades in Hades, while Jewish apocalyptic thought included resurrection and divine intervention. Paul’s use of 'falling asleep' as a euphemism for death would have resonated with Jewish listeners, who saw death as a temporary state before resurrection. The 'coming' of the Lord evokes imagery of a Roman emperor’s arrival, a public and triumphant event. The 'trumpet of God' recalls Jewish eschatological traditions, signaling divine action. The 'snatching up' suggests a sudden, transformative event, contrasting with pagan fatalism. Paul’s assurance that the dead in Christ will rise first would have comforted the Thessalonians, who were anxious about the fate of deceased believers.
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How other translations render this
1TH 4:13
- KJV
- But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
- BSB
- Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope.
- Koinōnos
- But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you do not grieve as the rest do — those who have no hope.
1TH 4:14
- KJV
- For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
- BSB
- For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.
- Koinōnos
- For since we believe that Jesus died and rose, so also God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.
1TH 4:15
- KJV
- For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
- BSB
- By the word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep.
- Koinōnos
- For this we say to you by the word of the Lord: that we who are alive, who remain until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep.
1TH 4:16
- KJV
- For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
- BSB
- For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise.
- Koinōnos
- For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God — and the dead in Christ will rise first.
1TH 4:17
- KJV
- Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
- BSB
- After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.
- Koinōnos
- Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air — and so we will always be with the Lord.
1TH 4:18
- KJV
- Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
- BSB
- Therefore encourage one another with these words.
- Koinōnos
- Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1TH 4:13
- themselves falling asleep,:The word translated 'falling asleep' was a common euphemism for death in the ancient world, but it also carried the nuance of a peaceful, temporary state, implying an awakening.
1TH 4:15
- [the] word:The term translated 'word' here can refer to a spoken utterance, a message, or even a divine decree, emphasizing its authoritative and foundational nature.
- coming:The word translated 'coming' often referred to the official visit of a dignitary or a king, implying a significant, public, and authoritative arrival.
1TH 4:17
- we will be caught away:The word translated 'caught away' implies a sudden, forceful, and decisive snatching or seizing, often with the idea of removal from one place to another.