In writing to the Thessalonian Christians, Paul expressed concern that they did not possess full confidence in victory of death. He therefore wrote to them: “But we do not want you to be uniformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” (v. 13). The problem the young church had was not fears regarding the joy of witnessing Christ’s return, the timing of the resurrection, or the sequence of the rapture, but rather the fear that only those who were alive when Christ returned would finally be saved. Being uniformed about the situation of Christians who have died, they were tempted to grieve for them without hope.

This problem shows that the early believers expected Christ’s return at moment. Perhaps Paul’s teaching on this and other subjects had been cut short by his hasty departure, so that there were still errors and doubts. In the meantime, some of their number had died, perhaps by violent persecution, and they feared that one had to be alive when Christ returned to experience the resurrection.

Paul’s response to this problem, as with other problems of Christian experience, is instructive. He expressed his desire that “we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers” (v. 13). The answer to questions of doubt, confusion, or distress is the plain teaching of God’s Word. So many problems in the experience of believers today likewise stem from ignorance of biblical truth, so that the great need of God’s people is the careful teaching of Scripture. The way for Christians to be strong in faith was given by Peter at the end of his second epistle: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

What are the biblical truths that give believers hope in the face of death? Paul provides these truths in verse 14: “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring him those who have fallen asleep.” Christ performs three great works – two of which have already happened, and one for which we await – that give hope to believers in the grief of death.

The first cause for our hope is the sin-atoning death of Jesus Christ: “We believe that Jesus died” (v. 14). The source of our chief fear in death – God’s just judgment of our sin and the eternal punishment it deserves – has already been removed by Jesus, who bore that punishment in the place of all who believe in Him. Jesus taught, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me…does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24). The Bible teaches that the very Lord who will return to judge the living and the dead is the Savior who died on the cross for the sins of His people. Because “we believe that Jesus died,” we know that sinners are reconciled to God by the grace that sent Jesus to the grave on our behalf.

The second cause for the Christian hope in death is the resurrection of Jesus Christ: “We believe that Jesus died and rose again” (v. 14). Christ has conquered death by His own resurrection, and in this way has guaranteed the resurrection of all who confess their sins and trust in Him. The resurrection proves to believers that our Savior still lives and reigns with power to complete our salvation. Paul further stated in 1 Corinthians 15:20 that Christ’s resurrection is proof that all His people will likewise be raised from the dead: “Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” This means that the future resurrection of all believers is the continuation of Christ’s resurrection conquest of death. His resurrection was the firstfruits, and the resurrection of all Christians will be the full harvest.

Finally, and as the conclusion of his sequence, Paul asserts that Christ, having died and risen from the grave, will return with all the souls under His care: “We believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep” (v. 14). Since the souls of sleeping believers are present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8), it follows that His return includes their return to earth. Therefore, when a fellow believer dies, Christians should never say, “We will never see him again!” Instead, Christians should rejoice in the certain hope that we will see beloved Christians when Christ returns, when together with Jesus all the people of God in heaven will join those on earth for the resurrection glory of the Lord.

Paul’s main point is clearly made: believers who die in Christ through faith will return with Christ, by the Father’s will, to participate in His second coming and join their resurrected bodies in the glory of the Lord. Paul urges the believers to “encourage one another with these words” (v. 4:18). This encouragement rests on the solid foundation of what God has done and will yet do: “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep” (v. 14).

Since it is “through Jesus” that God brings souls back from heaven for a resurrection into glory, it is urgent that sinners come now to Jesus in faith to receive eternal life. To those who believe in Him – and to these only – Jesus spoke words of consolation and hope: “I am the resurrection and the life,” adding, “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live” (John 11:25). Paul anticipates this resurrection life when he concludes” “And so we will always be with the Lord” (v. 17). This is our hope as well, if only we come to Jesus for salvation now, humbling ourselves in faith and adoring Him as Lord, seeking the eternal life He grants to all who call on His name and believe in Him.

1Thessalonians 4:13-14 Study Questions:

Why do you think Paul was concerned about the Thessalonians possessing full confidence in victory of death?

What is the great need for believers today?

Why is it important to “encourage one another with these words” (v. 4:18)?