1 Thessalonians 4:13
What does 1 Thessalonians 4:13 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 4:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Thessalonians 4:13 means
Paul turns to comfort the church about “them that fall asleep,” a common way of speaking of believers who have died. He does not forbid grief but reshapes it: Christians must not sorrow “as the rest, who have no hope.” Our mourning is real, yet it is tempered by confidence in God’s promises. Ignorance breeds despair, so Paul writes to inform and steady their hearts. Death does not sever believers from the Lord’s care. Knowledge of what God will do at the coming of the Lord changes how we face loss, anchoring sorrow in expectation rather than in finality or fear.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But it is our desire, brothers, that you may be certain about those who are sleeping; so that you may have no need for sorrow, as others have who are without hope.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, that ye may not sorrow, as also the rest who have not hope,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again: even so them who have slept through Jesus, will God bring with him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But we do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them that are fallen asleep, to the end that ye be not grieved even as also the rest who have no hope.
Context
With the ethical exhortations complete (vv. 1–12), Paul now addresses a theological and pastoral question troubling the Thessalonians. Some believers had died before the Lord’s return, and the church wondered about their fate. Verse 13 introduces the topic and the purpose: to prevent hopeless grief. The next verses supply the grounds (v. 14: Jesus’ death and resurrection) and the specific order of events at the Lord’s coming (vv. 15–17), culminating in the comfort believers should offer each other (v. 18).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Samuel 12:19
But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; and David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.
- Matthew 27:52
and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised;
- Acts 7:60
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
- Job 19:25
But as for me I know that my Redeemer liveth, And at last he will stand up upon the earth:
- 1 Kings 2:10
And David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.
- Ezekiel 37:11
Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are clean cut off.
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