Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Thessalonians 4:13

"But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope." — 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ASV)

Paul’s words “we do not want you to be ignorant” introduce his correction of false impressions (cf. Romans 11:25; 1 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Corinthians 12:1). The Thessalonians had concluded that “those who fall asleep” (GK 3121) would miss the victory and glory of the Lord’s return. Paul chooses this phrase in lieu of the “the dead” because of death’s temporary nature for Christians (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:39; 11:30; 15:6, 18, 20, 51; cf. also Jn 11:11). “Sleep” is an appropriate term for deceased Christians because of their assured bodily resurrection—a doctrine Paul had previously taught the Thessalonians. That this sleep refers to the physical body and not to a person’s spirit (i.e., “soul sleep”) is clear for several reasons. (1) Death for Paul did not mean a state of unconscious repose, but a condition of consciously being with Christ . (2) “Those who sleep” thus continue their relationship with Christ in heaven while their bodies are in the grave. (3) The essential issue in this section is not the intermediate state before bodily resurrection, but the part that those who are raised bodily will play in the parousia.

Paul wants to deliver his readers from the grief experienced by “the rest of men” (cf. “outsiders,” v.12). Non-Christians sorrow out of pity for the departed who have entered an unknown realm. For Christians, however, there need be no sorrow on behalf of those who are dead. Grief on behalf of the living and the loss sustained when a loved one dies is legitimate for Christians , but that kind of grief is not in view here. Those who have died are better off than those left behind and will be equal participants in future resurrection and the glory of Christ.