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Those Who Are Asleep
The last section of today's passage can be little difficult to understand, what with the references to sleep and the Lord's coming. So what's going on here?
"The phrase “we do not want you to be uninformed” (sometimes translated, “we [or I] do not want you to be ignorant,” NIV) is a phrase that Paul used several times in his letters (see Romans 1:13; 11:25; 1 Corinthians 10:1; 12:1; 2 Corinthians 1:8). These words draw attention to a topic of great importance. The question to Paul from the Thessalonian believers regarded those who have died. The believers had been taught that Christ would one day return and take his people to himself—every believer should be ready for that return at any moment. Apparently, in the interim, as the believers awaited Christ’s return, some of them had died. The Thessalonians were wondering why this had happened before Christ’s return and what would happen to those who had died when he came back. Some may have feared that believers who had died would miss the kingdom. No doubt the thought that their loved ones would not be with Christ after all caused them great sorrow. In Greek thought, the soul lived on but with no hope. It existed in sort of an ambiguous afterlife (see Ephesians 2:12).
This contrasts strongly with Paul’s view (1 Corinthians 15:53–55; Philippians 1:21–23). Paul wanted the Thessalonians to understand that death is not the end. When Christ returns, all believers—dead and alive—will be reunited, never to suffer or die again. Believers need not grieve as others do who have no hope. Paul recognized that the death of loved ones naturally results in grieving, but when Christians grieve for Christians who have died, there is a difference. Their grief is not hopeless. While the pain is real, the fact is that these loved ones will be seen again as the following verses describe." [1] (emphasis mine)
Most of us probably have questions about the coming of Jesus - when, how...there are a lot of issues to think about and some things I don't think we can know the specific answer to. This passage, however, is very clear: we need not grieve for dead believers. There is pain in their passing and we miss them, but do not weep for THEM. We will all be together at the end of all things when Jesus comes in His power.
Encourage one another with these words. (v.18)
Paul writes this to answer a question the Thessalonians have, but it also comes with a joyful command:
Encourage one another with these words.
Remember this reality and be filled with joy.
Trust in the promise of God and be at peace.
Be encouraged.
Those Who Are Asleep
The last section of today's passage can be little difficult to understand, what with the references to sleep and the Lord's coming. So what's going on here?
"The phrase “we do not want you to be uninformed” (sometimes translated, “we [or I] do not want you to be ignorant,” NIV) is a phrase that Paul used several times in his letters (see Romans 1:13; 11:25; 1 Corinthians 10:1; 12:1; 2 Corinthians 1:8). These words draw attention to a topic of great importance. The question to Paul from the Thessalonian believers regarded those who have died. The believers had been taught that Christ would one day return and take his people to himself—every believer should be ready for that return at any moment. Apparently, in the interim, as the believers awaited Christ’s return, some of them had died. The Thessalonians were wondering why this had happened before Christ’s return and what would happen to those who had died when he came back. Some may have feared that believers who had died would miss the kingdom. No doubt the thought that their loved ones would not be with Christ after all caused them great sorrow. In Greek thought, the soul lived on but with no hope. It existed in sort of an ambiguous afterlife (see Ephesians 2:12).
This contrasts strongly with Paul’s view (1 Corinthians 15:53–55; Philippians 1:21–23). Paul wanted the Thessalonians to understand that death is not the end. When Christ returns, all believers—dead and alive—will be reunited, never to suffer or die again. Believers need not grieve as others do who have no hope. Paul recognized that the death of loved ones naturally results in grieving, but when Christians grieve for Christians who have died, there is a difference. Their grief is not hopeless. While the pain is real, the fact is that these loved ones will be seen again as the following verses describe." [1] (emphasis mine)
Most of us probably have questions about the coming of Jesus - when, how...there are a lot of issues to think about and some things I don't think we can know the specific answer to. This passage, however, is very clear: we need not grieve for dead believers. There is pain in their passing and we miss them, but do not weep for THEM. We will all be together at the end of all things when Jesus comes in His power.
Encourage one another with these words. (v.18)
Paul writes this to answer a question the Thessalonians have, but it also comes with a joyful command:
Encourage one another with these words.
Remember this reality and be filled with joy.
Trust in the promise of God and be at peace.
Be encouraged.
[1] Bruce B. Barton and Grant R. Osborne, 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Life Application Commentary, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), 65-66.
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