1 Thessalonians 4:14

Text (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

14 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.

Translation and Paraphrase

14.

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose (again from the dead, we have the assurance that) in the same manner (as God raised up Jesus) God will also through Jesus (and the salvation Jesus provides) bring those who have fallen asleep (into eternal life and glory) with him (that is, with Jesus).

Notes (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

1.

Although Paul begins this verse by saying, If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we must not think for a moment that Paul doubted that Jesus died and rose again. While our version uses the word, If, to begin the sentence, the Greek construction (ei. w. indic.) is one which is used when one wished to assume that what he said was true.

2.

The evidence that Jesus did rise from the dead is overpowering. He was seen alive after his death and resurrection on at least ten occasions, over a period of fifty days, by as many as five hundred people at once. We must believe that Jesus arose, if we expect to be saved. Romans 10:9. See also Romans 4:25.

3.

The phrase, sleep in Jesus, is literally translated those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.

This phrase, through Jesus, should probably not be connected with asleep but with God bringing them.

We say this because the Devil has the power of death. Hebrews 2:14. And it is therefore not likely that Paul meant to say that Christians fall asleep through the work of Jesus. Rather, Paul surely meant that through Jesus (and the salvation He provides) God will bring those who have fallen asleep back from the dead with Jesus.

The Revised Standard Version renders this clearly: For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

4.

1 Corinthians 15:12If Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some of you that there is no resurrection of the dead? The fact that Jesus arose never to die again is a proof that we also can rise from the dead. The fact that Jesus promised that He would resurrect the dead, combined with the power He exhibited when He arose Himself, makes us absolutely confident that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust, Acts 24:15; John 5:28-29.

5.

The word sleep in this verse is an aorist (a kind of past tense) passive participle, and is probably best rendered those who have fallen asleep, rather than as them which sleep, Concerning the use of the word sleep to describe death, see notes on 1 Thessalonians 4:13, par. 4.