1 Thessalonians 4:13

I would not. Textual evidence attests (cf. p. 10) the reading “we would not,” that is, we do not wish. Paul may be consciously associating Silas and Timothy in his statement, or the use of “we” may be editorial (see on ch. 1:1).

The apostle here broaches a fresh topic, the fate of the Christian dead in relation to Christ’s return. It may be that Timothy, who had just returned from Thessalonica (ch. 3:6), had brought the news that the church members were gravely concerned over the fate of those of their number who had died since being converted. How could such share in the glories of Christ’s kingdom at His coming? Paul now considers the subject in detail (vs. 13—18), and passes on to deal with the closely related topic, the time of Christ’s appearing (ch. 5:1-11). He treats both matters, not as new doctrines, but as familiar teachings on which the believers needed further instruction and admonition. Paul had not had time to answer every question or to clarify every topic while with them.

Are asleep. Gr. koimad, “to sleep,” “to die.” Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for the reading “are falling asleep.” More were continually being laid to rest. For sleep as a figure for death see on John 11:11. Greek inscriptions show that a burial place was sometimes known as koimeterion, a word also used for a dormitory, or sleeping room. In Christian usage the dead were thought of as sleeping, awaiting the resurrection morning.

That ye sorrow not. It would appear that the Thessalonians had been unduly grieving over those of their number who had died since accepting the gospel. Those who remained feared that the deceased would lose the glorious experience that Christians expected to enjoy at Christ’s return. Paul devotes vs. 13-18 to removing this misapprehension and to consoling the believers. He explains that there is no need for the living Christian to be sorrowful over his dead brother, for the hope of the resurrection removes the cause for sorrow. Paul is not frowning on natural grief. He is teaching the believers not to be immersed in hopeless human sorrow but to lift up their heads in expectation of reunion with their departed loved ones at the time of their Lord’s return and the resurrection.

Even as others. Rather, “even as the rest,” that is, the non-Christians.

Which have no hope. The non-Christian has no equivalent of the Christian’s hope. The unbeliever has no grounds for expecting life after death. To him, death must be the end, for he knows no power that can break the bonds of death and give life to the dead. The Christian alone knows Him who has conquered death on behalf of Himself and His followers. Thus Paul contrasts the believer’s outlook with the hopelessness of the pagan world around him.