1 Thessalonians 4:13

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, etc.] As they seem to have been, about the state of the pious dead, the rule and measure of mourning for them, the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, the second coming of Christ, and the future happiness of the saints; wherefore the apostle judged it necessary to write to them upon these subjects: the Alexandrian copy and others, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions read, “we would not have you to be ignorant”, etc. concerning them which are asleep; that is, dead: it was in common use among the Eastern nations, when they spoke of their dead, to say they were asleep. This way of speaking is used…”

“The leading topic of Paul's preaching at Thessalonica having been the coming kingdom (Act 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 Th1 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 should not be ignorant. them which are asleep--The oldest manuscripts read present tense, "them which are sleeping"; the same as "the dead in Christ" (Th1 4:16), to whose bodies (Dan 12:2, not their souls; Ecc 12:7; Co2 5:8) death is a calm and…”

“But 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 return from Thessalonica; 1 Thessalonians 3:6. What they were we are not distinctly informed, and can only gather from the allusions which Paul makes to them, or from the opposite doctrines which he states, and which are evidently designed to…”

“Now - Herein the efficacy of Christianity greatly appears, - that it neither takes away nor embitters, but sweetly tempers, that most refined of all affections, our desire of or love to the dead. 1 Thessalonians 4:14”

“4:13 the believers who have died (literally those who have fallen asleep; also in 4:14): Sleep was a common euphemism for death in Greek, Jewish, and Christian literature (Dan 12:2; Matt 27:52). Personal existence continues after death (Luke 23:40-43; Acts 7:55-60; 2 Cor 5:6-10; Phil 1:20-24; Rev 6:9-11); those who have died await the resurrection (1 Cor 15:23). • grieve like people who have no hope: Ancient letters of comfort exhorted mourners not to be overcome with grief because they could do nothing to avert death. Paul does not prohibit grief (cp. John 16:6, 20; Phil 2:27) but calls Christian mourners to abandon the kind of grief typical of those who have no hope in God.”

“I would: Rom 1:13; Co1 10:1, Co1 12:1; Co2 1:8; Pe2 3:8 which are: Th1 4:15, Th1 5:10; Kg1 1:21, Kg1 2:10; Dan 12:2; Mat 27:52; Luk 8:52, Luk 8:53; Joh 11:11-13; Act 7:60, Act 13:36; Co1 15:6, Co1 15:18; Pe2 3:4 ye sorrow: Gen 37:35; Lev 19:28; Deu 14:1, Deu 14:2; Sa2 12:19, Sa2 12:20, Sa2 18:33; Job 1:21; Eze 24:16-18; Joh 11:24; Act 8:2 which have: Eph 2:12; Job 19:25-27; Pro 14:32; Eze 37:11; Co1 15:19 1 Thessalonians 4:14”