1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 – Live with anticipation

In his campaign in Thessalonica, Paul also talked about future events. The believers there accepted the teaching and, like him, they believed that Christ would return in their lifetime. But since Paul’s departure from them, some members of the families of those believers had passed away. Therefore, they were really perplexed and disturbed. Many of them were concerned and wondered what would happen to their departed loved ones at the return of the Lord. There was a sense of hopelessness attending their bereavement. When Timothy came to them, they must have expressed their concerns to him. Timothy then brought their concerns to Paul. Hence, here he wrote to address their questions. We need also to know that the pagan world at that time saw no hope beyond the grave.

Paul did not want them to remain ignorant concerning those Christians who had died as believers. Here he spoke to alleviate their fears to convince them about the truth of the matter. His purpose was to ensure that the Thessalonians would not face death with a grief like the pagans, who saw death with bleak hopelessness.

Here Paul defined death as sleep. In three verses (vv. 13, 14 & 15), he described those who had died as “fallen asleep.” This metaphor is used probably due to the stillness of the body at death. It is also because death in the Bible is often seen as rest from work (Revelation 14:13). In anticipation of the resurrection, Paul also described death as sleep. He wanted them to know that death was a temporary experience for the believers, as there will be the coming resurrection.

In verse 14, Paul provided the important foundation for the hope of resurrection. They looked forward to this experience with great anticipation because of what Christ Jesus had accomplished in His death and resurrection. This historical fact of Christ’s death and resurrection, gives believers great hope. His death and resurrection is the foundation for believers and those who died in Him will also rise with him.

This is also our hope. We look forward for the hope of His return. Meanwhile Paul tells us to be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.