1 Thessalonians 4:13
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.
Original Language Analysis
θέλω
I would
G2309
θέλω
I would
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
2 of 20
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
ἀγνοεῖν
to be ignorant
G50
ἀγνοεῖν
to be ignorant
Strong's:
G50
Word #:
5 of 20
not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination)
ἀδελφοί
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
6 of 20
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
περὶ
concerning
G4012
περὶ
concerning
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
οἱ
which
G3588
οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κεκοιμημένων,
them which are asleep
G2837
κεκοιμημένων,
them which are asleep
Strong's:
G2837
Word #:
9 of 20
to put to sleep, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease
μὴ
no
G3361
μὴ
no
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
11 of 20
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
καὶ
even
G2532
καὶ
even
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
which
G3588
οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἱ
which
G3588
οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ
no
G3361
μὴ
no
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
18 of 20
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
Cross References
Daniel 12:2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.1 Thessalonians 5:10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.1 Thessalonians 4:15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.Ephesians 2:12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:2 Peter 3:4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.1 Corinthians 15:6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.Acts 7:60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.Ezekiel 37:11Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.Acts 13:36For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:Romans 1:13Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
Historical Context
Pagan views of afterlife were bleak: Hades/Sheol as shadowy, joyless existence; reincarnation trapping souls in endless cycles; or materialism denying any afterlife. Tombstones revealed despair: 'I was not, I became, I am not, I care not.' Against this hopelessness, Christian resurrection hope was revolutionary. Some Thessalonians apparently feared believers who died before the parousia would miss the resurrection or be inferior to living believers. Paul corrects this misunderstanding by teaching that dead believers will actually rise first (v. 16) before living believers are transformed.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christian hope transform grief over death compared to pagan hopelessness?
- What evidence demonstrates that your sorrow over loss includes resurrection hope rather than despairing as those with 'no hope'?
- How can you comfort grieving believers with resurrection hope without minimizing present pain?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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—ou thelomen de hymas agnoein, adelphoi, peri tōn koimōmenōn, hina mē lypeēsthe kathōs kai hoi loipoi hoi mē echontes elpida (οὐ θέλομεν δὲ ὑμᾶς ἀγνοεῖν, ἀδελφοί, περὶ τῶν κοιμωμένων, ἵνα μὴ λυπῆσθε καθὼς καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ οἱ μὴ ἔχοντες ἐλπίδα). Paul introduces the rapture passage (vv. 13-18) addressing Thessalonian confusion about believers who died before Christ's return. Koimaō (κοιμάω, 'to sleep') is Christian euphemism for death—not soul-sleep but peaceful rest awaiting resurrection.
That ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope—Paul doesn't forbid grief (that would be inhumane) but hopeless sorrow characterizing pagans. Hoi mē echontes elpida (οἱ μὴ ἔχοντες ἐλπίδα, 'those having no hope') describes pagan despair: death ends everything, no resurrection, no reunion. Christian grief differs qualitatively—we mourn loss but not without hope of resurrection and reunion. This hope doesn't eliminate sorrow but transforms it. Jesus wept at Lazarus's tomb (John 11:35) despite knowing resurrection was imminent; Christians can grieve while maintaining resurrection hope.