1 Thessalonians 5:10
What does 1 Thessalonians 5:10 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 5:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Thessalonians 5:10 means
Jesus died on behalf of His people so that, whether they are alive or have died when He comes, they will live with Him. The cross secures a shared future where the central blessing is communion with Christ Himself. This dissolves the fear that death might somehow exclude believers from the joy of His coming. Life “together with him” begins now in union with Christ and will be fully enjoyed at His return. The emphasis is relational: salvation is not merely escape from wrath but participation in Christ’s life. His death guarantees that no believer, in any state, will miss the consummation of that life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who was put to death for us, so that, awake or sleeping, we may have a part in his life.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who did die for us, that whether we wake--whether we sleep--together with him we may live;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who died for us: that, whether we watch or sleep, we may live together with him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who has died for us, that whether we may be watching or sleep, we may live together with him.
Context
This verse connects back to the concern of chapter 4 about those who have died in Christ and forward to practical application. Having affirmed God’s appointment to salvation (verse 9), Paul shows how Christ’s death makes that certain for both the living and the dead. Verse 11 will then press the pastoral implication: encourage and build one another with this truth. The doctrinal foundation (Christ’s atoning death and shared destiny) undergirds the community’s ongoing ministry of mutual edification.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 10:17
Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.
- Romans 8:34
who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
- Romans 5:6
For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly.
- 1 Peter 3:18
Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
- 1 Corinthians 15:3
For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
- John 10:11
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.
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