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1 Thessalonians 4:14

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For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

For {G1063} if {G1487} we believe {G4100} that {G3754} Jesus {G2424} died {G599} and {G2532} rose again {G450}, even so {G3779} them also {G2532} which sleep {G2837} in {G1223} Jesus {G2424} will {G71} God {G2316} bring {G71} with {G4862} him {G846}.

do who have nothing to hope for. For since we believe that Yeshua died and rose again, we also believe that in the same way God, through Yeshua, will take with him those who have died.

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.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

Commentary

1 Thessalonians 4:14 is a foundational verse offering immense comfort and hope regarding the fate of believers who have died. It serves as a cornerstone of Christian eschatology, particularly concerning the resurrection of the dead and the return of Christ.

Context

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church in Thessalonica, a relatively new Christian community. A significant concern among them was the fate of fellow believers who had passed away before what they anticipated to be the imminent return of Jesus. They grieved, perhaps, without the full understanding of Christian hope, fearing that their deceased loved ones might miss out on the blessings of Christ's coming. Paul addresses this directly from 1 Thessalonians 4:13 onwards, assuring them that death does not separate believers from Christ's ultimate triumph.

Key Themes

  • The Centrality of Christ's Resurrection: The verse begins with the premise, "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again." This belief is not merely intellectual assent but the very core of Christian faith, as elaborated in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Paul grounds the future hope of believers firmly in the historical reality and power of Jesus' victory over death.
  • Hope for Deceased Believers: The phrase "them also which sleep in Jesus" refers to Christians who have died. The use of "sleep" is a common biblical euphemism for death among believers, signifying a temporary state from which one will awaken, rather than an irreversible end. It highlights the peaceful departure and the promise of resurrection, contrasting sharply with the despair of those without hope (John 11:11-13).
  • God's Bringing: The assurance "will God bring with him" points to the sovereign act of God. When Christ returns, those who have died "in Jesus" – meaning, in union with Him through faith – will be brought with Him. This implies their spirits are already with Christ, and at His coming, their resurrected bodies will be reunited with their spirits, and they will be present with the Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The term "sleep" (Greek: koimaomai) is crucial here. It's used throughout the New Testament to describe the death of believers, emphasizing the temporary nature of death and the certainty of future awakening through resurrection. It contrasts with terms implying annihilation or a final, hopeless end, offering comfort and peace to those who grieve.

Practical Application

This verse provides profound comfort for those grieving the loss of loved ones who died in Christ. It transforms sorrow into hope, reminding us that death is not the end for the believer but a transition. It reinforces the certainty of the blessed hope – the future resurrection and eternal fellowship with Christ and fellow believers. Our faith in Jesus' resurrection power is the very guarantee of our own future resurrection and reunion.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 8:11 (30 votes)

    But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

  • Isaiah 26:19 (19 votes)

    Thy dead [men] shall live, [together with] my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew [is as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

  • Philippians 3:20 (19 votes)

    For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

  • Philippians 3:21 (19 votes)

    Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:13 (18 votes)

    We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

  • 2 Corinthians 4:14 (18 votes)

    Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present [us] with you.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (13 votes)

    ¶ 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.