Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Thessalonians 4:14

"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." — 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (ASV)

For Christians, relief from sorrow is related to what the future holds. Just as “Jesus died and rose again,” so will “those who have fallen asleep in him” be raised when God brings them to heaven with Jesus at his parousia. The fact of Jesus’ death and resurrection guarantees as its sequel the eventual resurrection of the dead in Christ .

It is significant that Paul does not refer to Jesus’ death as “sleep.” The difference between Jesus’ experience and that of believers is that he really endured actual separation from God for the world’s sins. Because of his real death, Christian death has been transformed into sleep.

Though we might expect Paul to write “God will raise” instead of “God will bring with Jesus,” he used the latter because of an unexpressed connection in his mind between the two ideas. Being brought with Jesus presupposes a rising from the dead as part of the process (v.16)—a teaching Paul had presented to the Thessalonians. Their ultimate anticipation is not just that of being raised, but that of being “with Jesus” (4:14; cf. 4:17; 5:10). The words “God will bring” further point to a continuing movement heavenward after the meeting in the air (v.17), until the arrival in the Father’s presence (3:13; cf. Jn 14:2-3). A more detailed analysis of the process follows.