1 Thessalonians 4:13

¶ 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.

But {G1161} I would {G2309} not {G3756} have {G2309} you {G5209} to be ignorant {G50}, brethren {G80}, concerning {G4012} them which are asleep {G2837}, that {G3363} ye sorrow {G3076} not {G3363}, even {G2532} as {G2531} others {G3062} which {G3588} have {G2192} no {G3361} hope {G1680}.

Now, brothers, we want you to know the truth about those who have died; otherwise, you might become sad the way other people

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.

But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, the Apostle Paul addresses a significant concern among the early Christian community in Thessalonica. This verse marks the beginning of a crucial section (verses 13-18) where Paul clarifies misunderstandings about the return of Christ and the fate of believers who have died before that event.

Context

The Thessalonian Christians were facing grief and anxiety over fellow believers who had passed away. They likely wondered if those who had "fallen asleep" would miss out on the blessings of Christ's return, or if their death meant a permanent separation. Paul, therefore, writes to dispel this ignorance and provide comfort, emphasizing that Christian grief is distinct from the hopeless sorrow of the pagan world. This passage connects directly to themes of eschatology (the study of end times) and the Lord's coming, or Parousia.

Key Themes

  • The Nature of Christian Death: Paul uses the gentle metaphor "them which are asleep" to describe deceased believers. This term, koimaomai (κοιμάομαι) in Greek, implies a temporary state of rest, not annihilation. It highlights the Christian understanding that death is not the end but a transition, awaiting resurrection.
  • Hope in the Face of Death: Unlike those without faith, believers are not to "sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." The pagan world often grieved without the expectation of an afterlife or reunion. Christian hope (elpis - ἐλπίς) is not mere wishful thinking but a confident assurance rooted in God's promises and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This hope fills believers with all joy and peace.
  • Distinctive Grief: While Christians certainly grieve the loss of loved ones, their sorrow is tempered by the knowledge of Christ's victory over death and the promise of reunion. This contrasts sharply with the despair often found in cultures that lacked a clear understanding of resurrection.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "are asleep" comes from the Greek word koimaomai (κοιμάομαι), which is the source of our word "cemetery" (a sleeping place). It signifies a temporary rest, awaiting awakening. This metaphor is consistently used in the New Testament to refer to the death of believers, underscoring the temporary nature of physical death before the resurrection (e.g., John 11:11, 1 Corinthians 15:51). The word for "hope," elpis (ἐλπίς), in the biblical sense, denotes a strong, confident expectation based on God's faithfulness, not a mere desire or uncertainty.

Practical Application

This verse provides profound comfort for believers experiencing loss. It reminds us that while grief is a natural human response, it should not be a sorrow without hope. Our hope is anchored in the resurrection of Christ and the promise that those who have died in Him will rise again. This understanding allows Christians to grieve with a unique perspective, finding solace in the divine assurance of future reunion and the ultimate triumph of life over death. It calls us to comfort one another with these words, sharing the good news of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, 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. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 12:2

    And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:15

    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.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:18

    Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:19

    If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:10

    Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

  • Ephesians 2:12

    That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

  • 2 Peter 3:4

    And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation.
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