1 Thessalonians 1:10

KJV

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} to wait for {G362} his {G846} Son {G5207} from {G1537} heaven {G3772}, whom {G3739} he raised {G1453} from {G1537} the dead {G3498}, even Jesus {G2424}, which {G3588} delivered {G4506} us {G2248} from {G575} the wrath {G3709} to come {G2064}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and to wait for his Son Yeshua, whom he raised from the dead, to appear from heaven and rescue us from the impending fury of God’s judgment.

Berean Standard Bible

and to await His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath.

American Standard Version

and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Thessalonians 1:10 powerfully encapsulates the core tenets of the early Christian faith, highlighting the Thessalonians' transformative conversion and their profound, forward-looking hope. It presents Jesus Christ as the eagerly awaited Son from heaven, divinely raised from the dead, and the ultimate deliverer of believers from the certainty of God's coming wrath. This verse serves as a concise theological statement, summarizing the past work of Christ, the present orientation of the believer, and the future expectation of His return and ultimate salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes Paul's opening thanksgiving for the Thessalonian believers, a section that runs from [1 Thessalonians 1:2-10](/1_thessalonians/1-2-10 "Paul's Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians"). Having praised their "work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope" ([1 Thessalonians 1:3](/1_thessalonians/1-3 "Faith, Love, and Hope in Thessalonica")), Paul then describes their radical conversion from idolatry to serving the living God ([1 Thessalonians 1:9](/1_thessalonians/1-9 "Turning from Idols to God")). Verse 10 naturally flows from this description of their conversion, linking their turning to God with their new, defining characteristic: an active, expectant waiting for Christ's return. It transitions smoothly into the subsequent chapters which further develop the theme of the Lord's return and its implications for Christian living and suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Thessalonica was a major Roman port city and the capital of the province of Macedonia. As a bustling commercial center, it was a melting pot of cultures and religions, including various mystery cults and the pervasive worship of Roman emperors and Greek deities. For the Thessalonian converts, many of whom were Gentiles ([1 Thessalonians 1:9](/1_thessalonians/1-9 "The Thessalonians' Conversion")), turning "from idols" meant a complete break from their previous societal and religious norms, often leading to social ostracism and persecution. Paul's emphasis on "waiting for his Son from heaven" would have provided immense comfort and a distinct hope in a world dominated by pagan fatalism and the immediate pressures of Roman imperial cults. The concept of divine "wrath to come" would have resonated with both Jewish apocalyptic expectations and the common understanding of divine judgment in the ancient world, but Paul redefines it through the lens of Christ's deliverance.
* **Key Themes:** This concise verse is rich with several foundational themes central to 1 Thessalonians and Pauline theology. The most prominent is the **eschatological hope** of Christ's [Second Coming](/1_thessalonians/4-16 "The Lord's Descent and the Resurrection"), often referred to as the Parousia. This expectation is not a passive waiting but an active, shaping force for their lives, providing motivation for perseverance in faith and love. Another critical theme is the **resurrection of Jesus**, which is presented as the historical bedrock of Christian faith and the guarantee of future hope for believers, as seen throughout Paul's writings (e.g., [1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "Christ as the Firstfruits of Resurrection")). Furthermore, the theme of **salvation from divine wrath** is crucial, underscoring the salvific work of Christ. This wrath is not an arbitrary outburst but God's righteous judgment against sin, from which believers are delivered through Jesus' atoning work, a concept elaborated in passages like [Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Justification by Christ's Blood"). Finally, the verse implicitly highlights **Jesus' divine Sonship and authority**, as He is presented as "his Son from heaven," affirming His unique relationship with God the Father and His supreme role in salvation history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **wait for (Greek, _anaménō'_):** From G362, this word means "to await." It implies an eager, patient, and expectant waiting. It is not a passive idleness but an active anticipation rooted in conviction and hope. The Thessalonians' conversion led them to orient their lives around this future event, demonstrating a living faith that looks forward to the Lord's return.
* **raised (Greek, _egeírō'_):** From G1453, meaning "to waken, rouse, lift up, raise." This word specifically refers to God the Father raising Jesus from the dead. It emphasizes the divine power at work in the resurrection, which is the foundational event validating Jesus' claims and securing the hope of believers. The resurrection is presented as a completed, decisive act.
* **wrath (Greek, _orgḗ'_):** From G3709, meaning "violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implication punishment." In this context, "wrath" refers to God's settled, righteous indignation and judgment against sin and ungodliness. It is not a sudden, capricious outburst but a holy, determined opposition to evil that culminates in a future, certain judgment.
* **delivered (Greek, _rhýomai'_):** From G4506, meaning "to rush or draw (for oneself), i.e. rescue." This term conveys the idea of a powerful rescue or deliverance from danger. It highlights Jesus' active and decisive role in saving believers from the impending divine judgment, emphasizing the completeness and efficacy of His salvific work.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And to wait for his Son from heaven":** This clause describes the new orientation of the Thessalonians' lives post-conversion. Their turning from idols (mentioned in [1 Thessalonians 1:9](/1_thessalonians/1-9 "Turning from Idols")) is immediately followed by an active, expectant waiting for Jesus. The phrase "his Son from heaven" underscores Jesus' divine origin and unique relationship with God the Father, establishing His authority and pre-eminence. This waiting is a hallmark of genuine Christian faith, characterized by hope in the future return of Christ.
* **"whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus":** This central clause highlights the foundational event of Christianity: the resurrection of Jesus. The "he" refers to God the Father, emphasizing the divine power and validation behind Jesus' life and ministry. The resurrection is not merely a historical event but the guarantee of Jesus' victory over death and the promise of future resurrection for believers. It solidifies Jesus' identity as the promised Messiah and Lord, making Him worthy of their eager expectation.
* **"which delivered us from the wrath to come.":** This final clause articulates the profound salvific benefit of Jesus' work. The "wrath to come" refers to God's righteous judgment against sin, a future and certain reality for those outside of Christ. The verb "delivered" (past tense) signifies a completed act, meaning that through Jesus' atoning sacrifice, believers have already been rescued and secured from this impending judgment. This deliverance is a present reality based on a past event, providing immense assurance and peace.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Conciseness** is evident, as Paul packs profound theological truths into a single, compact sentence. The use of **Antithesis** is subtle but powerful, contrasting the Thessalonians' former life of serving idols with their new life of waiting for God's Son. The phrase "wrath to come" functions as a **Metonymy**, where "wrath" stands in for the entire concept of divine judgment and its consequences. Furthermore, the verse is structured as a **Creedal Statement**, summarizing essential Christian beliefs about Christ's identity, His resurrection, and His salvific work, making it easily memorable and teachable. The **Anaphora** of "from" (from heaven, from the dead, from the wrath) subtly emphasizes origins and deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Thessalonians 1:10 stands as a foundational statement of Christian eschatology and soteriology, deeply connecting the past work of Christ with the future hope of believers. It articulates that genuine conversion (turning from idols to God) intrinsically involves an active, hopeful anticipation of Christ's return, which is predicated on the historical reality of His resurrection. This future expectation is not one of fear, but of assurance, as believers have already been definitively delivered from the impending divine judgment through Jesus' completed work on the cross. The "wrath to come" is a certain future reality for the ungodly, but for those in Christ, it has been definitively averted by His atoning sacrifice. This verse thus provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the Christian's position in time: saved from past sin, living in present hope, and secured for a future glory.

* [Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Justification by Christ's Blood")
* [Titus 2:13](/titus/2-13 "Looking for the Blessed Hope")
* [Acts 1:11](/acts/1-11 "The Ascension and Promise of Return")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Thessalonians 1:10 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, serving as a powerful anchor for our faith and a catalyst for our daily living. Our conversion, like that of the Thessalonians, means a radical reorientation of life—from serving anything other than God to actively serving the living and true God. This service is not merely about past repentance but is deeply intertwined with a future-oriented hope: the eager expectation of Jesus' return. This hope should not lead to passive waiting but to active, purposeful living, knowing that our Savior, who conquered death, has already secured our deliverance from ultimate judgment. The assurance of Christ's resurrection validates every promise of God and empowers us to live with courage and conviction, knowing that our future is secure in Him. This verse calls us to live with a dual focus: faithfully serving God in the present while eagerly anticipating the glorious appearing of our Lord, allowing this hope to purify our lives and fuel our witness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "eager waiting" for Christ's return shape your daily priorities and actions?**
* **In what ways does the historical truth of Jesus' resurrection strengthen your faith and assurance of salvation?**
* **How does the knowledge of being "delivered from the wrath to come" impact your sense of peace and security in Christ?**
* **What idols (material, relational, or ideological) might still be competing for your service, and how can the hope of Christ's return help you turn more fully to the living God?**

### FAQ
**What is the "wrath to come" that believers are delivered from?**

Answer: The "wrath to come" (Greek: _tēs orgēs tēs erchomenēs_) refers to God's righteous, settled indignation and judgment against sin and ungodliness, which will be fully manifested in the future. It is not a capricious outburst of temper but a just and holy response to human rebellion and rejection of His authority. For those who do not believe in Jesus, this wrath culminates in eternal separation from God. However, [1 Thessalonians 1:10](/1_thessalonians/1-10 "Delivered from Wrath") assures believers that through Jesus' atoning sacrifice, they have been definitively rescued from this impending divine judgment. This deliverance is a core aspect of Christian salvation, as also articulated in [Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Justified by His Blood, Saved from Wrath").

**Why is Jesus' resurrection so central to this verse's message?**

Answer: Jesus' resurrection is absolutely central because it is the divine validation of His identity, His claims, and His power to save. The phrase "whom he raised from the dead" ([1 Thessalonians 1:10](/1_thessalonians/1-10 "Jesus Raised from the Dead")) underscores that God the Father Himself affirmed Jesus' messianic status and His victory over sin and death. Without the resurrection, the hope of Christ's return would be baseless, and the deliverance from wrath would be impossible. The resurrection serves as the guarantee of future resurrection for believers ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "Christ the Firstfruits")) and the foundation for our faith and hope in His ultimate return and our eternal salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First Thessalonians 1:10 beautifully encapsulates the Christ-centered nature of salvation and eschatological hope. The "Son from heaven" is none other than Jesus Christ, the eternal Word who became flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")), whose very identity is intrinsically linked to His divine origin and unique relationship with the Father. His resurrection, explicitly stated as God's act of raising Him "from the dead," is the pivotal event that validates His messianic claims and secures the believer's hope. This act of God foreshadows and guarantees the future resurrection of all who are in Christ ([1 Corinthians 15:20-23](/1_corinthians/15-20-23 "Christ the Firstfruits, Then Those Who Are His")). Most profoundly, Jesus is the one "which delivered us from the wrath to come." This deliverance points directly to His atoning work on the cross, where He bore the full weight of God's righteous wrath against sin, becoming a propitiation for our transgressions ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Propitiation by His Blood")). Therefore, our eager waiting for His glorious return ([Titus 2:13](/titus/2-13 "Looking for the Blessed Hope")) is rooted in the certainty of His past victory and the present reality of our deliverance, ensuring that when He appears, it will be for our complete salvation, not our condemnation ([Hebrews 9:28](/hebrews/9-28 "Christ's Second Appearing")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Thessalonians 5:9

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Isaiah 25:8

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken [it].

Isaiah 25:9

¶ And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this [is] our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this [is] the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Romans 5:9

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Romans 5:10

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Matthew 3:7

¶ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

1 Thessalonians 4:16

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: