1 Thessalonians 4:14
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
Original Language Analysis
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
πιστεύομεν
we believe
G4100
πιστεύομεν
we believe
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
3 of 20
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
4 of 20
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
5 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀνέστη
rose again
G450
ἀνέστη
rose again
Strong's:
G450
Word #:
8 of 20
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
12 of 20
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κοιμηθέντας
which sleep
G2837
κοιμηθέντας
which sleep
Strong's:
G2837
Word #:
14 of 20
to put to sleep, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease
διὰ
in
G1223
διὰ
in
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
15 of 20
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
17 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἄξει
bring
G71
ἄξει
bring
Strong's:
G71
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce
Cross References
Romans 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.Isaiah 26:19Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.1 Thessalonians 4:13But 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.Revelation 1:18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.1 Thessalonians 3:13To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.Revelation 14:13And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.1 Thessalonians 4:17Then 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.Matthew 24:31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.2 Thessalonians 2:1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
Historical Context
The Thessalonians' confusion about believers who died before the parousia reveals their expectation of Christ's imminent return. Paul had taught them to expect Christ soon (possibly misunderstanding led some to quit working, v. 11); when believers died, survivors wondered if they'd miss the resurrection. Paul clarifies: dead believers aren't disadvantaged but will actually rise first (v. 16). This teaching comforted the church and established orthodox eschatology: believers who die are present with Christ, awaiting resurrection when He returns to gather all believers (living and dead) together.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's resurrection guarantee your future resurrection, and how does this hope affect your view of death?
- What does 'sleep through Jesus' teach about death's nature for believers compared to unbelievers?
- How do you reconcile immediate presence with Christ at death (Phil 1:23) with future bodily resurrection (1 Thess 4:16)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him—ei gar pisteuomen hoti Iēsous apethanen kai anestē, houtōs kai ho Theos tous koimēthentas dia tou Iēsou axei syn autō (εἰ γὰρ πιστεύομεν ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἀπέθανεν καὶ ἀνέστη, οὕτως καὶ ὁ Θεὸς τοὺς κοιμηθέντας διὰ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἄξει σὺν αὐτῷ). The conditional 'if' isn't doubt but assumption: 'since we believe Jesus died and rose.' Christ's resurrection guarantees believers' resurrection—houtōs (οὕτως, 'so/in the same way'): as Jesus rose, so will believers.
The phrase tous koimēthentas dia tou Iēsou (τοὺς κοιμηθέντας διὰ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, 'those who sleep through Jesus') describes believers who died; their death is 'through Jesus'—in union with Him. Will God bring with him (axei syn autō, ἄξει σὺν αὐτῷ)—when Christ returns, God will bring resurrected believers with Him. This implies intermediate state: believers who die go immediately to be with Christ (Phil 1:23; 2 Cor 5:8), then return with Him at the parousia for bodily resurrection. Death doesn't separate believers from Christ but ushers them into His presence, awaiting resurrection at His return.