1 Thessalonians 4:15

By the word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Thessalonian church regarding their anxiety about believers who died before Christ's return. He speaks during a period of eschatological speculation to clarify the timing of the resurrection.

The words — Τοῦτο (Touto) = This and λόγῳ (logō) = word. These terms anchor the declaration in divine authority rather than human tradition.

The thread — The same resurrection sequence appears in 1 Corinthians 15:51 and 2 Corinthians 4:14. These passages consistently link Christ's resurrection to the future raising of believers.

Why it lands — The text states that living believers will not precede those who have fallen asleep. It requires readers to abandon chronological speculation and accept the declared sequence of events.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

Cross-references

1 Corinthians 15:51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—
2 Corinthians 4:14 knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence.
1 Thessalonians 2:19 After all, who is our hope, our joy, our crown of boasting, if it is not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
1 Kings 13:17 For I have been told by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.’”
Psalms 88:13 But to You, O LORD, I cry for help; in the morning my prayer comes before You.
1 Kings 13:1 Suddenly, as Jeroboam was standing beside the altar to burn incense, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD.
1 Kings 20:35 Meanwhile, by the word of the LORD, one of the sons of the prophets said to his companion, “Strike me, please!” But the man refused to strike him.
Matthew 17:25 “Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?”
1 Kings 13:9 For this is what I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’”
1 Kings 13:22 but you went back and ate bread and drank water in the place where He told you not to do so, your body shall never reach the tomb of your fathers.’”