King James Version

What Does 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Mean?

1 Thessalonians 4:13 in the King James Version says “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others ...” — study this verse from 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13 · KJV

Hope

Context

11

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

12

That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. of: or, of no man

13

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. prevent: or, come before, or, anticipate, or, precede

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope—ou thelomen de hymas agnoein, adelphoi, peri tōn koimōmenōn, hina mē lypeēsthe kathōs kai hoi loipoi hoi mē echontes elpida (οὐ θέλομεν δὲ ὑμᾶς ἀγνοεῖν, ἀδελφοί, περὶ τῶν κοιμωμένων, ἵνα μὴ λυπῆσθε καθὼς καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ οἱ μὴ ἔχοντες ἐλπίδα). Paul introduces the rapture passage (vv. 13-18) addressing Thessalonian confusion about believers who died before Christ's return. Koimaō (κοιμάω, 'to sleep') is Christian euphemism for death—not soul-sleep but peaceful rest awaiting resurrection.

That ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope—Paul doesn't forbid grief (that would be inhumane) but hopeless sorrow characterizing pagans. Hoi mē echontes elpida (οἱ μὴ ἔχοντες ἐλπίδα, 'those having no hope') describes pagan despair: death ends everything, no resurrection, no reunion. Christian grief differs qualitatively—we mourn loss but not without hope of resurrection and reunion. This hope doesn't eliminate sorrow but transforms it. Jesus wept at Lazarus's tomb (John 11:35) despite knowing resurrection was imminent; Christians can grieve while maintaining resurrection hope.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Pagan views of afterlife were bleak: Hades/Sheol as shadowy, joyless existence; reincarnation trapping souls in endless cycles; or materialism denying any afterlife. Tombstones revealed despair: 'I was not, I became, I am not, I care not.' Against this hopelessness, Christian resurrection hope was revolutionary. Some Thessalonians apparently feared believers who died before the parousia would miss the resurrection or be inferior to living believers. Paul corrects this misunderstanding by teaching that dead believers will actually rise first (v. 16) before living believers are transformed.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christian hope transform grief over death compared to pagan hopelessness?
  2. What evidence demonstrates that your sorrow over loss includes resurrection hope rather than despairing as those with 'no hope'?
  3. How can you comfort grieving believers with resurrection hope without minimizing present pain?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
Οὐ1 of 20

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

θέλω2 of 20

“I would”

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

δὲ3 of 20

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

ὑμᾶς4 of 20

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἀγνοεῖν5 of 20

“to be ignorant”

G50

not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination)

ἀδελφοί6 of 20

“brethren”

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

περὶ7 of 20

“concerning”

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

οἱ8 of 20

“which”

G3588

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

κεκοιμημένων,9 of 20

“them which are asleep”

G2837

to put to sleep, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease

ἵνα10 of 20
G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

μὴ11 of 20

“no”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

λυπῆσθε12 of 20

“ye sorrow”

G3076

to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad

καθὼς13 of 20

“as”

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

καὶ14 of 20

“even”

G2532

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

οἱ15 of 20

“which”

G3588

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

λοιποὶ16 of 20

“others”

G3062

remaining ones

οἱ17 of 20

“which”

G3588

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

μὴ18 of 20

“no”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἔχοντες19 of 20

“have”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ἐλπίδα20 of 20

“hope”

G1680

expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence

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 4:13 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 4:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 12:21 Thessalonians 4:151 Thessalonians 5:102 Peter 3:41 Corinthians 15:18-191 Corinthians 15:6

Test Your Knowledge

1 Thessalonians 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Thessalonians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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