1 Thessalonians 4 17

1 Thessalonians 4:17 kjv

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 nkjv

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 niv

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 esv

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 nlt

Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.

1 Thessalonians 4 verses

1 Thessalonians 4 17 Meaning

This verse speaks of believers being "caught up together with them in the clouds" to "meet the Lord in the air." This describes an eschatological event where believers, both those alive at the Lord's return and those who have already died, will be simultaneously brought together to be with Christ.

1 Thessalonians 4 17 Context

Chapter 4 of 1 Thessalonians addresses concerns the young church had about their deceased loved ones. Paul clarifies that those who have died in faith will be resurrected before those who are alive at Christ's second coming. This event is a promise of reunion and emphasizes the certainty of Christ's return and the glorification of believers. It is not presented as a secret rapture event, but rather a public, visible gathering with Christ at His return.

1 Thessalonians 4 17 Word Analysis

• καὶ (kai): And. A conjunctive particle linking clauses or words.

• οὕτως (houtos): So, thus, in this way. Indicates a manner or result.

• ἡμᾶς (hemase): Us. First-person plural pronoun.

• τοὺς (tous): The. Definite article, masculine plural accusative.

• περιλειπομένους (perileipomenous): Remaining over, left behind. Present passive participle from perileipo. This refers to those believers still living when Christ returns.

• εἰς (eis): Into, to, towards. A preposition indicating motion into or destination.

• τὴν (ten): The. Definite article, feminine singular accusative.

• ἀπάντησιν (apantesin): Meeting, encountering. Accusative noun from apantesis. Refers to a coming to meet someone, often with a greeting or welcoming.

• τοῦ (tou): The. Definite article, neuter singular genitive.

• Κυρίου (Kuriou): Lord. Genitive singular of Kurios, referring to Jesus Christ.

• εἰς (eis): Into, to, towards.

• ἀέρα (aera): Air. Accusative singular of aer. Refers to the atmosphere, the space above the earth.

• καὶ (kai): And.

• οὕτως (houtos): So, thus.

• πάντοτε (pantote): Always, ever. Adverb. (This word is actually not in verse 17, it is in v.18. The actual verse is: "καὶ οὕτως πάντοτε σὺν Κυρίῳ ἐσόμεθα." The given text refers to 1 Thessalonians 4:17). Re-examining verse 17 specifically:

  • καὶ (kai): And.
  • οὕτως (houtos): Thus, so.
  • ἅμα (hama): At the same time, together. Adverb, indicating simultaneity.
  • οἱ (hoi): The. Definite article, masculine plural nominative.
  • ζῶντες (zontes): Living. Present active participle from zao. Those currently alive.
  • καὶ (kai): And.
  • περιλειπόμενοι (perileipomenoi): Remaining, left behind. Present passive participle from perileipo.
  • ὑπὸ (hupo): By, under. Preposition, indicating agency.
  • ἁρπαγησόμεθα (harpaguesometha): We shall be caught up. Future passive indicative of harpazo (to seize, snatch away). This is the key word for the event of being taken.
  • μετ' (met): With. Preposition, taking the genitive.
  • αὐτῶν (auton): Them. Third-person plural pronoun, genitive. Refers to the departed believers mentioned in v.16.
  • ἐν (en): In. Preposition, taking the dative.
  • νεφέλαις (nephelis): Clouds. Dative plural of nephele. Used in association with divine manifestation.
  • εἰς (eis): Into, to.
  • ἀπάντησιν (apantesin): Meeting, encountering. Accusative noun from apantesis.
  • τοῦ (tou): The.
  • Κυρίου (Kuriou): Lord. Genitive singular of Kurios.
  • εἰς (eis): Into, to.
  • ἀέρα (aera): Air. Accusative singular of aer.

• Group Analysis: "συνηρπάγησομέθα... εἰς ἀπάντησιν τοῦ Κυρίου εἰς ἀέρα" (synirpagōmetha... eis apantesin tou Kuriou eis aera) - "we shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air." This phrase vividly describes the divine abduction or snatching away of believers, both living and resurrected dead, to meet Christ in the sky, implying a public ascent to rendezvous with Him before His descent to earth.

1 Thessalonians 4 17 Bonus Section

The imagery of meeting someone in the air for escort or welcome was understood in the ancient world, often involving receiving honored guests who would then be led to their destination. This is sometimes referred to as an "apantesis" procession. The term "clouds" is frequently associated with divine presence and judgment in both the Old and New Testaments, signifying Christ's majestic and visible return. While some interpret this passage as a "secret rapture," the text does not explicitly teach this. Instead, it describes believers meeting Christ in the air before He lands on earth, indicating a significant part of His public second coming rather than a separate, unannounced event.

1 Thessalonians 4 17 Commentary

This verse paints a glorious picture of believers' reunion with the Lord at His return. The crucial term "caught up" (harpazo) signifies a swift and forceful removal, indicating believers being transported from earth to meet Christ in the air. This event will involve both the resurrected deceased and the living believers. The destination is the "air," signifying the space between earth and heaven, where the believers will meet Christ before He descends to earth to establish His kingdom. It’s a promise of divine rescue and ultimate presence with Christ, erasing any sorrow of separation for believers.