Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

"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. 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. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." — 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (ASV)

Here is comfort for the relations and friends of those who die in the Lord. Grief for the death of friends is lawful; we may weep for our own loss, though it may be their gain. Christianity does not forbid, and grace does not take away our natural affections. Yet we must not be excessive in our sorrows; this is too much like those who have no hope of a better life.

Death is an unknown thing, and we know little about the state after death. Yet, the doctrines of the resurrection and the second coming of Christ are a remedy against the fear of death and undue sorrow for the death of our Christian friends; of these doctrines we have full assurance. It will be some happiness that all the saints will meet and remain together forever; but the principal happiness of heaven is to be with the Lord—to see him, live with him, and enjoy him forever. We should support one another in times of sorrow, not deaden one another's spirits or weaken one another's hands.

And this support may be given through the many lessons to be learned from the resurrection of the dead and the second coming of Christ. What! Comfort a man by telling him he is going to appear before the judgment-seat of God! Who can feel comfort from those words? That man alone with whose spirit the Spirit of God bears witness that his sins are blotted out, and the thoughts of whose heart are purified by the Holy Spirit, so that he can love God and worthily magnify his name.

We are not in a safe state unless this is so with us, or we are desiring to be so.