King James Version

What Does 1 Thessalonians 1:10 Mean?

1 Thessalonians 1:10 in the King James Version says “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come...” — study this verse from 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”

1 Thessalonians 1:10 · KJV

Salvation

Context

8

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

9

For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

10

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come—anamenein (ἀναμένειν, 'to wait expectantly') describes eager anticipation, not passive delay. The Thessalonians' conversion reoriented time itself: no longer living for present pleasure or fearing death, they eagerly awaited his Son from heaven (ton huion autou ek tōn ouranōn, τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν). This is Paul's earliest written reference to the parousia, introducing the letter's major theme (4:13-18; 5:1-11).

Whom he raised from the dead—resurrection validates Jesus's claims and guarantees believers' resurrection (4:14). Which delivered us from the wrath to come (ton rhyomenon hēmas ek tēs orgēs tēs erchomenēs, τὸν ῥυόμενον ἡμᾶς ἐκ τῆς ὀργῆς τῆς ἐρχομένης)—the present participle 'delivering' indicates continuous rescue. Christ's return brings wrath for unbelievers (5:3, 9) but deliverance for believers (1:10; 5:9). The Thessalonians turned from idols (past), served God (present), and waited for Christ (future)—conversion reorients all three temporal dimensions.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The expectation of Christ's imminent return shaped the Thessalonian church's worldview. Some apparently quit working, believing the parousia was so near that normal life was pointless (4:11-12; 2 Thess 3:10-12). Others worried that believers who died before Christ's return would miss the resurrection (4:13-18). Paul addresses both extremes, teaching eager expectation without date-setting (5:1-11) and continued faithful work while watching (4:11-12). This tension between 'already' and 'not yet' has marked Christianity ever since.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does expectant waiting for Christ's return from heaven differ from vague hope that things will work out eventually?
  2. What evidence demonstrates that your life is genuinely oriented toward Christ's coming rather than merely affirming it intellectually?
  3. How does the certainty of Christ's resurrection and future deliverance from wrath change your response to present persecution or trials?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
καὶ1 of 21

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀναμένειν2 of 21

“to wait for”

G362

to await

τῆς3 of 21

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸν4 of 21

“Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

αὐτοῦ5 of 21

“his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐκ6 of 21

“from”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῆς7 of 21

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὐρανῶν8 of 21

“heaven”

G3772

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

ὃν9 of 21

“whom”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἤγειρεν10 of 21

“he raised”

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

ἐκ11 of 21

“from”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

νεκρῶν12 of 21

“the dead”

G3498

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

Ἰησοῦν13 of 21

“even Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

τῆς14 of 21

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ῥυόμενον15 of 21

“delivered”

G4506

compare g4511); to rush or draw (for oneself), i.e., rescue

ἡμᾶς16 of 21

“us”

G2248

us

ἀπὸ17 of 21

“from”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῆς18 of 21

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀργῆς19 of 21

“the wrath”

G3709

properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e., (by analogy), violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implicati

τῆς20 of 21

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐρχομένης21 of 21

“to come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Thessalonians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Thessalonians 1:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Thessalonians 1:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Thessalonians 5:9Isaiah 25:8-9Romans 5:9-10Matthew 3:7Acts 2:241 Peter 1:3

Test Your Knowledge

1 Thessalonians 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Thessalonians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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