1 Thessalonians 4:13

1 Thessalonians 4:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But 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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
• New Living Translation (NLT)And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.

Context of 1 Thessalonians 4:13

11and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 word by word

Οὐ θέλομεν δὲ ὑμᾶς ἀγνοεῖν, ἀδελφοί, περὶ τῶν κοιμωμένων, ἵνα μὴ λυπῆσθε καθὼς καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ οἱ μὴ ἔχοντες ἐλπίδα.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• I wouldθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• notοὐou · noG3756
• youσύsu · youG4771
• to be ignorantἀγνοέωagnoeō · be ignorantG50
• brethrenἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• concerningπερίperi · aboutG4012
• them which are asleepκοιμάωkoimaō · to sleepG2837
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• ye sorrowλυπέωlupeō · to grieveG3076
• notμήmē · notG3361
• evenκαίkai · andG2532
• asκαθώςkathōs · as/just asG2531
• othersλοιπόςloipoi · remainingG3062
• which haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• hopeἐλπίςelpis · hopeG1680

Cross-references for 1 Thessalonians 4:13

• Romans 1:13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
• 1 Corinthians 10:1For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.
• 1 Corinthians 12:1Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.
• 2 Corinthians 1:8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.
• 2 Peter 3:8But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:15According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
• 1 Kings 1:21Otherwise, as soon as my lord the king is laid to rest with his ancestors, I and my son Solomon will be treated as criminals.”
• 1 Kings 2:10Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David.
• Daniel 12:2Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
• Matthew 27:52and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.
• Luke 8:52Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”
• John 11:11After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
• Acts 7:60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
• Acts 13:36“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.
• 1 Corinthians 15:6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 4:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13I would not have you to be ignorant - Instead of , have, , 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13But 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-18Verses 13-18 Here is comfort for the relations and friends of those who die in the Lord. Grief for the death of friends is lawful; we may weep for our own loss, though it may be their gain. Christianity does not forbid, and grace does not do away, our natural affections. Yet we must not be excessive in our sorrows; this is too much like those who have no hope of a better life. Death is an unknown thing, and we know little about the state after death; yet…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13those who sleep in death (literally those who have fallen asleep; also in 4:14): In Greek, Jewish, and Christian literature, sleep often means death (Daniel 12:2; Matthew 27:52). Personal existence continues after death (Luke 23:40–43; Acts 7:55–60; 2 Corinthians 5:6–10; Philippians 1:20–24; Revelation 6:9–11). Those who have died await the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:23). grieve like the rest, who are without hope: Ancient letters of comfort advised…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. The leading topic of Paul's preaching at Thessalonica having been the coming kingdom (Ac 17:7), some perverted it into a cause for fear in respect to friends lately deceased, as if these would be excluded from the glory which those found alive alone should share. This error Paul here corrects (compare 1Th 5:10). I would not--All the oldest manuscripts and versions have "we would not." My fellow labourers (Silas and Timothy) and myself desire that ye…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Thessalonians 4:13

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Bereavement
• Death
• Immortality

In the dictionaries

• Asleep
• Hope
• Immortality
• Peter, Second Epistle of
• Quiet
• Rise
• Sleep
• Trump
• Baldness
• Bible, the

Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings