We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, console one another with these words.
The Thessalonian Christians are concerned about what happens to those who have “fallen asleep” —whether they will share in the promised salvation at Christ's return. Paul explains the difference between mourning with hope versus without hope, teaching them how Christian mourning differs from that of “the rest”—non-believers who lack the hope of resurrection. Paul addresses the core belief of the Christian faith - the death and resurrection of Jesus. He tells them that Christ’s victory over death assures believers of their own resurrection. Paul further reassures the Thessalonians, speaking “on the word of the Lord” with divine authority, that those who have already died will share fully in Christ’s return alongside the living and will not be at a disadvantage.
In the early decades of the Church, many Christians believed Jesus would return within their lifetime. Paul describes the parousia (the Second Coming of Christ) using traditional imagery associated with theophanies and divine interventions in the Old Testament. The "trumpet" often signifies a divine gathering (Ex. 19:16, Mt. 24:31), calling God’s people together. The resurrection of those who have died in Christ will precede any transformation of the living, ensuring that no believer, living or deceased, will be left behind in this event. Paul then describes the moment when the living faithful are transformed and brought into the Lord’s presence with those who have been resurrected. The imagery of “clouds” and “air” reflects Old Testament language for encounters with God, such as in Daniel 7:13, where the Son of Man is depicted as coming on clouds.
Paul tells the Thessalonians to encourage each other by placing their hope in Christ's return and the promise of resurrection.
Lord Jesus Christ, you conquered death and rose in glory. Fill us with hope in the promise of resurrection. Comfort our hearts as we wait for your return, and unite us with all believers, both living and departed, in the joy of your eternal presence. Amen!
References
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
- McKenzie, John. Dictionary of the Bible. Collier Books, 1965.
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