1 Thessalonians 4:13 NIV1984

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

In these words the apostle comforts the Thessalonians who mourned for the death of their relations and friends that died in the Lord. His design is to dissuade them from excessive grief, or inordinate sorrow, on that account. All grief for the death of friends is far from being unlawful; we may weep at least for ourselves if we do not weep for them, weep for own loss, though it may be their fain. Yet we must not be immoderate in our sorrows, because, I. This looks as if we had no hope, 1... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

4:13-18 We do not wish you to be ignorant, brothers, about those who are asleep, because we do not wish you to sorrow as the rest of people do because they have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we can be sure that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we tell you this, not by our own authority but by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who survive until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not take precedence over... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:13

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren ,.... As they seem to have been, about the state of the pious dead, the rule and measure of mourning for them, the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, the second coming of Christ, and the future happiness of the saints; wherefore the apostle judged it necessary to write to them upon these subjects: the Alexandrian copy and others, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions read, "we would not have you to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 4:13

I would not have you to be ignorant - Instead of εχομεν , have, θελομεν , wish, is the reading of ADEFG, many others, besides the Arabic, Ethiopic, Armenian, some of the Slavonian, the Vulgate, and Itala, with many of the Greek fathers. This is undoubtedly the true reading: Brethren, I would not wish you to be ignorant; or, I would not that you should be ignorant. This was probably one of the points which were lacking in their faith, that he wished to go to Thessalonica to instruct... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Verse 13 13But I would not have you ignorant. It is not likely that the hope of a resurrection had been torn up among the Thessalonians by profane men, as had taken place at Corinth. For we see how he chastises the Corinthians with severity, but here he speaks of it as a thing that was not doubtful. It is possible, however, that this persuasion was not sufficiently fixed in their minds, and that they accordingly, in bewailing the dead, retained something of the old superstition. For the sum of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:13

With this verse the apostle proceeds to another subject, namely, to comfort those who were mourning the death of their friends. It would appear that the Thessalonians were in perplexity and distress concerning the fate of their deceased friends, fearing that these would miss those blessings which they expected Christ to confer at his advent. Their views of the time and nature of the advent and of the future state in general were confused. They expected that Christ would come immediately and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Thessalonians 4:13

But I would not have you to be ignorant - I would have you fully informed on the important subject which is here referred to. It is quite probable from this, that some erroneous views prevailed among them in reference to the condition of those who were dead, which tended to prevent their enjoying the full consolation, which they might otherwise have done. Of the prevalence of these views, it is probable the apostle had been informed by Timothy on his return from Thessalonica; 1 Thessalonians... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Thessalonians 4:13

1 Thessalonians 4:13. I would not have you ignorant, brethren The apostle had intimated, (1 Thessalonians 3:10,) that he desired to make them another visit at Thessalonica, in order to perfect that which was lacking in their faith. Perhaps what he now proceeds to say was part of what he wanted to teach them, as not having seen it proper when he was with them to enter into such discoveries as are here made. But having been informed that they lamented over their dead with immoderate sorrow,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

4:13-5:11 CONCERNING CHRIST’S RETURNThose who have died (4:13-18)Among the Thessalonians, some were worried that those in their church who had died would not share in the return of Christ and the final triumph of his kingdom. Paul assures them that they will share in his return just as they share in his death and resurrection. (13-14). Believers who have died, far from being at a disadvantage, will be raised to life first. Believers still alive will join them, and together they will meet Christ... read more