King James Version

What Does 1 Thessalonians 4:14 Mean?

1 Thessalonians 4:14 in the King James Version says “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” — study this verse from 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

1 Thessalonians 4:14 · KJV

Faith

Context

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

16

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him—ei gar pisteuomen hoti Iēsous apethanen kai anestē, houtōs kai ho Theos tous koimēthentas dia tou Iēsou axei syn autō (εἰ γὰρ πιστεύομεν ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἀπέθανεν καὶ ἀνέστη, οὕτως καὶ ὁ Θεὸς τοὺς κοιμηθέντας διὰ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἄξει σὺν αὐτῷ). The conditional 'if' isn't doubt but assumption: 'since we believe Jesus died and rose.' Christ's resurrection guarantees believers' resurrection—houtōs (οὕτως, 'so/in the same way'): as Jesus rose, so will believers.

The phrase tous koimēthentas dia tou Iēsou (τοὺς κοιμηθέντας διὰ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, 'those who sleep through Jesus') describes believers who died; their death is 'through Jesus'—in union with Him. Will God bring with him (axei syn autō, ἄξει σὺν αὐτῷ)—when Christ returns, God will bring resurrected believers with Him. This implies intermediate state: believers who die go immediately to be with Christ (Phil 1:23; 2 Cor 5:8), then return with Him at the parousia for bodily resurrection. Death doesn't separate believers from Christ but ushers them into His presence, awaiting resurrection at His return.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Thessalonians' confusion about believers who died before the parousia reveals their expectation of Christ's imminent return. Paul had taught them to expect Christ soon (possibly misunderstanding led some to quit working, v. 11); when believers died, survivors wondered if they'd miss the resurrection. Paul clarifies: dead believers aren't disadvantaged but will actually rise first (v. 16). This teaching comforted the church and established orthodox eschatology: believers who die are present with Christ, awaiting resurrection when He returns to gather all believers (living and dead) together.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's resurrection guarantee your future resurrection, and how does this hope affect your view of death?
  2. What does 'sleep through Jesus' teach about death's nature for believers compared to unbelievers?
  3. How do you reconcile immediate presence with Christ at death (Phil 1:23) with future bodily resurrection (1 Thess 4:16)?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
εἰ1 of 20

“if”

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

γὰρ2 of 20

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

πιστεύομεν3 of 20

“we believe”

G4100

to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch

ὅτι4 of 20

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Ἰησοῦ5 of 20

“Jesus”

G2424

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

ἀπέθανεν6 of 20

“died”

G599

to die off (literally or figuratively)

καὶ7 of 20

“and”

G2532

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

ἀνέστη8 of 20

“rose again”

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

οὕτως9 of 20

“even so”

G3779

in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)

καὶ10 of 20

“and”

G2532

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

ὁ11 of 20
G3588

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

θεὸς12 of 20

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

τοὺς13 of 20
G3588

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

κοιμηθέντας14 of 20

“which sleep”

G2837

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

διὰ15 of 20

“in”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τοῦ16 of 20
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦ17 of 20

“Jesus”

G2424

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

ἄξει18 of 20

“bring”

G71

properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce

σὺν19 of 20

“with”

G4862

with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi

αὐτῷ20 of 20

“him”

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

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 4:14 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 4:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 8:11Philippians 3:20-21Isaiah 26:192 Corinthians 4:13-141 Thessalonians 4:131 Thessalonians 4:17

Test Your Knowledge

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

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