1 Thessalonians 1:10
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῆς
which
G3588
τῆς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸν
Son
G5207
υἱὸν
Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
4 of 21
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
6 of 21
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῆς
which
G3588
τῆς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανῶν
heaven
G3772
οὐρανῶν
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
8 of 21
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ὃν
whom
G3739
ὃν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
9 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἤγειρεν
he raised
G1453
ἤγειρεν
he raised
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
10 of 21
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
11 of 21
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
Ἰησοῦν
even Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
even Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
13 of 21
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τῆς
which
G3588
τῆς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ῥυόμενον
delivered
G4506
ῥυόμενον
delivered
Strong's:
G4506
Word #:
15 of 21
compare g4511); to rush or draw (for oneself), i.e., rescue
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
17 of 21
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῆς
which
G3588
τῆς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀργῆς
the wrath
G3709
ὀργῆς
the wrath
Strong's:
G3709
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e., (by analogy), violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implicati
Cross References
1 Thessalonians 5:9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,Matthew 3:7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?Acts 2:24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.Hebrews 9:28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.Romans 4:25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.1 Peter 3:18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:1 Peter 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,Romans 8:34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.1 Peter 1:21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.Acts 1:11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Historical Context
The expectation of Christ's imminent return shaped the Thessalonian church's worldview. Some apparently quit working, believing the parousia was so near that normal life was pointless (4:11-12; 2 Thess 3:10-12). Others worried that believers who died before Christ's return would miss the resurrection (4:13-18). Paul addresses both extremes, teaching eager expectation without date-setting (5:1-11) and continued faithful work while watching (4:11-12). This tension between 'already' and 'not yet' has marked Christianity ever since.
Questions for Reflection
- How does expectant waiting for Christ's return from heaven differ from vague hope that things will work out eventually?
- What evidence demonstrates that your life is genuinely oriented toward Christ's coming rather than merely affirming it intellectually?
- How does the certainty of Christ's resurrection and future deliverance from wrath change your response to present persecution or trials?
Analysis & Commentary
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come—anamenein (ἀναμένειν, 'to wait expectantly') describes eager anticipation, not passive delay. The Thessalonians' conversion reoriented time itself: no longer living for present pleasure or fearing death, they eagerly awaited his Son from heaven (ton huion autou ek tōn ouranōn, τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν). This is Paul's earliest written reference to the parousia, introducing the letter's major theme (4:13-18; 5:1-11).
Whom he raised from the dead—resurrection validates Jesus's claims and guarantees believers' resurrection (4:14). Which delivered us from the wrath to come (ton rhyomenon hēmas ek tēs orgēs tēs erchomenēs, τὸν ῥυόμενον ἡμᾶς ἐκ τῆς ὀργῆς τῆς ἐρχομένης)—the present participle 'delivering' indicates continuous rescue. Christ's return brings wrath for unbelievers (5:3, 9) but deliverance for believers (1:10; 5:9). The Thessalonians turned from idols (past), served God (present), and waited for Christ (future)—conversion reorients all three temporal dimensions.