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The Return of the Lord
Paul teaches believers how to think about those who have died. He does not tell them to stop grieving completely, but he points them to hope based on Jesus’ death, resurrection and promised return.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of the letter speaks directly to “brothers” about “those who have fallen asleep”. Paul explains what believers should know, what will happen at the coming of the Lord, and how these words should bring comfort to one another.
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18Main takeaway
Because Jesus died and rose again, believers can face death and the Lord’s coming with real hope and shared comfort.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Hope changes griefPaul says he does not want them to be ignorant about “those who have fallen asleep”, a gentle way to speak about believers who have died.
Explanation
Paul says he does not want them to be ignorant about “those who have fallen asleep”, a gentle way to speak about believers who have died. His aim is not to deny grief, but to keep believers from grieving like people “who have no hope”. Christian sorrow is shaped by hope.
02Jesus’ death and resurrection are the foundationPaul grounds this hope in Jesus himself. Believers confess that Jesus died and rose again.
Explanation
Paul grounds this hope in Jesus himself. Believers confess that Jesus died and rose again. On that basis, Paul says God will bring with Jesus those who have “fallen asleep in Jesus”. The comfort of the passage rests first on what happened to Jesus, then on what that means for his people.
03The living do not go ahead of the deadPaul says this teaching comes “by the word of the Lord”. He includes himself among “we who are alive”, yet his main point is order, not timing.
Explanation
Paul says this teaching comes “by the word of the Lord”. He includes himself among “we who are alive”, yet his main point is order, not timing. Those alive at the Lord’s coming will “in no way precede” those who have died. The dead in Christ are not left behind.
04The Lord comes, the dead rise, and all are togetherPaul describes the coming of the Lord with a shout, the voice of the archangel and God’s trumpet.
Explanation
Paul describes the coming of the Lord with a shout, the voice of the archangel and God’s trumpet. The Lord himself descends from heaven. First, “the dead in Christ will rise”. Then the living are caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. The lasting result is clear: “we will be with the Lord forever.”
05These words are for comfortPaul ends with an instruction. This teaching is not given for curiosity alone, but for care within the church.
Explanation
Paul ends with an instruction. This teaching is not given for curiosity alone, but for care within the church. Believers are to comfort one another with these words. The passage is meant to strengthen people facing loss by reminding them of resurrection, reunion and life with the Lord.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01According to verse 13, what difference should hope make when believers grieve?
Look carefully at what Paul does and does not say: he speaks about grieving, yet he contrasts it with grieving “like the rest, who have no hope”.
02What truth about Jesus supports Paul’s teaching about believers who have died?
Paul builds the whole argument on one central confession in verse 14, then connects it to those who have “fallen asleep in Jesus”.
03In what order does Paul describe events when the Lord comes?
Trace the words “first” and “then”, and notice who is together at the end and where they meet the Lord.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
13But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
15For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep.
16For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first,
17then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.
18Therefore comfort one another with these words.