1 Thessalonians 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.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 nkjv
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 niv
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 esv
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 nlt
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.
1 Thessalonians 4 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Thess 4:13 | "we do not want you to be ignorant...brothers, about those who fall asleep..." | Present verse |
| John 11:23-27 | Jesus' words about resurrection and belief | Assures of resurrection for believers |
| John 14:1-3 | Jesus' promise to prepare a place and return | Confirms Jesus' return and gathering of believers |
| 1 Cor 15:12-20 | The foundational argument for the resurrection of the dead | Argues for resurrection, no hope if Christ not raised |
| 1 Cor 15:51-55 | The transformation of the living and the dead at Christ's return | Details the resurrection process |
| Phil 3:20-21 | Our citizenship is in heaven and transformation by Christ | Future hope of a transformed body |
| Rev 14:13 | Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. | Assurance of blessing for those dying in Christ |
| Ps 23:4 | Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil..." | Comfort in death's presence |
| Rom 8:18 | For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us." | Future glory outweighs present suffering |
| Rom 8:23 | And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit..." | Hope of redemption and final adoption |
| 1 Thess 5:10 | "...whether we are awake or asleep; we are to live together with him." | Shared destiny with Christ |
| Heb 11:13-16 | These all died in faith, not having received the things promised..." | Ancestors died in faith awaiting promises |
| Acts 24:15 | "having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust." | Belief in resurrection |
| Luke 23:43 | Jesus to the thief on the cross: "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." | Assurance of presence with Christ after death |
| Matt 22:31-32 | Jesus on the resurrection and God as God of the living, not the dead. | God of the living; resurrected people are living |
| John 5:28-29 | Jesus speaking of the resurrection of life and judgment | Resurrection's dual nature |
| 1 Thess 4:14 | "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, God will bring through Jesus the ones who have fallen asleep." | God's action in bringing believers through Jesus |
| 1 Thess 5:11 | "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up..." | General exhortation for mutual encouragement |
| Deut 33:27 | "The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms..." | Divine refuge and security in times of trouble |
| Job 19:25-26 | "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet I shall see God..." | Personal assurance of resurrection and seeing God |
1 Thessalonians 4 verses
1 Thessalonians 4 13 Meaning
This verse addresses the sorrow of believers regarding those who have died before Christ's return. It clarifies that their grief should not be characterized by hopelessness, unlike the practices of the unsaved. Paul assures them that departed believers are not lost but are resting in Christ, and encourages a hopeful anticipation of the resurrection when they will be reunited with the living.
1 Thessalonians 4 13 Context
This verse is found in the first of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonian church, written during his second missionary journey. The Thessalonians were a new church, experiencing persecution and likely facing distress due to the deaths of some of their fellow believers. There was a potential for misunderstanding concerning the timing of Christ's return and the fate of those who died before it. Paul addresses this to correct potential grief that lacked a Christian perspective and to provide assurance about the ultimate destiny of deceased believers. The surrounding verses (vv. 13-18) form a cohesive unit addressing the hope concerning the resurrection and Christ's coming.
1 Thessalonians 4 13 Word Analysis
- ouVqelw (ou thelo): "I do not wish" or "I do not want." This expresses Paul's earnest desire to inform them accurately.
- umaj (humas): "you" (plural). Directed to the entire church in Thessalonica.
- ag,nouj (agnous): "ignorant" or "unaware." Paul seeks to remove their lack of knowledge.
- peri (peri): "concerning" or "about." Introducing the topic of discussion.
- tw`n kekoimhmenwn (ton kekoimemenon): "the ones who have fallen asleep." This is a common Pauline metaphor for believers who have died (1 Cor 15:6, 18, 20). The Greek is a perfect passive participle, indicating a continuous state of being "asleep" in death, awaiting resurrection.
- adelfwn (adelphon): "brothers." A term of endearment and equality within the Christian community.
- kaq,per oi Jloipoi oitinej k,npoisin ejpi ;lvpidi (kaqper oi loipoi oitines kan echousin elpidi): "just as the rest, who have hope." This phrase distinguishes believers from unbelievers. While all have hope in some sense, Paul contrasts the Christian's specific, sure hope based on the resurrection.
- oiJ xloruoi (oi chrooi): "the others" or "the rest." This likely refers to the non-believers in the world, or those within the church who might not share the same understanding of the resurrection.
- xrhfomen (cremen): "to have" or "to possess." Refers to the hope they hold.
- ejpin ;lpidi (ep' elpidi): "on hope" or "in hope." The basis of their confident expectation.
- eipou`sa (eipa): This word does not appear in this verse in any standard translation. (Note: There may be a typo in the request or the intended word to be analyzed).
1 Thessalonians 4 13 Bonus Section
The imagery of "falling asleep" (koimaw - koimaō) is a crucial euphemism in the New Testament for death among believers. It softens the starkness of death by equating it to a temporary state of repose from which one will awake. This metaphor underscores the resurrection hope and presents death not as an eternal end but as a prelude to a glorious awakening in Christ. The contrast drawn with "the rest who have hope" emphasizes that the Christian's hope is not a vague wish but a firm conviction grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ Himself.
1 Thessalonians 4 13 Commentary
Paul begins this section by expressing his sincere desire to eliminate the ignorance of the Thessalonian believers concerning the spiritual state of those who have died. He contrasts their Christian hope with the despair of the world. The death of believers is not an end but a peaceful rest in Christ, a state from which they will be resurrected. Their sorrow should be tempered by the certain knowledge that their departed loved ones are not lost but are preserved in Christ and will be raised by God. This understanding provides comfort and eliminates the consuming grief seen among those without the hope of Christ's return.