1 Thessalonians 1:10

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

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}.

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.

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

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

1 Thessalonians 1:10 stands as a powerful summary of the early Christian faith, encapsulating their profound hope, the core of their belief, and the ultimate destiny secured by Jesus Christ. It highlights the Thessalonians' new orientation in life: from serving idols to eagerly awaiting the return of God's Son, Jesus, who conquered death and delivers believers from future judgment.

Context

This verse concludes Paul's opening thanksgiving for the Thessalonians, commending their faith and spiritual transformation. Having described how they "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (1 Thessalonians 1:9), Paul immediately connects this conversion with their new, forward-looking hope: the expectation of Christ's return. This eschatological focus (the study of end times) is a dominant theme throughout the book of 1 Thessalonians, providing comfort and motivation in the face of persecution.

Key Themes

  • The Second Coming of Christ: The phrase "to wait for his Son from heaven" emphasizes the eager expectation of Jesus' return. This event, often referred to as the Parousia, or "presence," was a foundational hope for early believers and a central message preached by Paul (Acts 1:11).
  • The Resurrection of Jesus: The declaration "whom he raised from the dead" underscores the absolute centrality of Christ's resurrection to Christian faith. It is the divine validation of Jesus' claims and the guarantee of believers' future resurrection and hope (1 Corinthians 15:20).
  • Deliverance from Wrath: "Which delivered us from the wrath to come" points to the salvific work of Jesus. The "wrath to come" refers to God's righteous judgment against sin, a future reality for those who reject Him. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, believers are rescued from this impending divine judgment (Romans 5:9; John 3:36).
  • Jesus' Divine Sonship: Identifying Jesus as "his Son from heaven" affirms His unique relationship with God the Father and His divine origin, essential to His authority and ability to save.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "wait for" is anamenō (ἀναμένω), which implies an eager, patient, and expectant waiting. It's not passive idleness but an active anticipation rooted in conviction.
  • "Wrath to come" translates tēs orgēs tēs erchomenēs (τῆς ὀργῆς τῆς ἐρχομένης). Orgē refers to God's settled, righteous indignation against sin, not a sudden outburst of temper. The participle erchomenēs (coming) emphasizes its certain and future nature.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Thessalonians 1:10 serves as a powerful reminder of our core identity and hope:

  • Living with Purpose: Our anticipation of Christ's return should motivate us to live holy lives, serving God faithfully and sharing the Gospel.
  • Assurance and Comfort: The knowledge that Jesus has delivered us from future wrath brings immense peace and security, especially in times of trial or uncertainty.
  • Foundation of Faith: The resurrection of Jesus remains the cornerstone of Christian belief, validating every promise God has made.
  • Active Expectation: We are called to "wait" not passively, but with active engagement in God's kingdom, preparing for His glorious appearing.

Reflection

This single verse beautifully encapsulates the past, present, and future of the Christian experience: saved by Christ's past work on the cross, living in the present serving God, and awaiting Christ's future return. It is a timeless declaration of Christian hope, reminding us of the profound salvation we possess and the glorious future that awaits all who believe in Jesus, the Son raised from the dead, who delivers us from all wrath.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
An Introduction to 1 Thessalonians: Hope in the Lord's Return An Introduction to 2 Thessalonians: A Clarification on the End Times The Rapture: Views and Interpretations The Second Coming of Christ The Day of the Lord

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:
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