For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

1 THESSALONIANS 4:14KJV
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1 Thessalonians 4:14 (KJV)

What does 1 Thessalonians 4:14 mean?

1 Thessalonians 4:14 says that just as Christians believe Jesus died and rose again, they can also trust that God will bring with Jesus those believers who have died. The verse reassures readers that death is not the end for those "asleep in Jesus," because God will include them in Jesus' return.

Paul is writing to the church in Thessalonica, who were concerned about what would happen to believers who had already died. Paul uses the language of "sleep" for death to emphasize its temporary nature for Christians, and he connects the hope of resurrection directly to Jesus’ own death and resurrection.

The Greek behind 1 Thessalonians 4:14

  • "sleep" (κοιμᾶσθαι, koimasthai): This Greek word is often used as a gentle way to refer to death, suggesting that for believers, death is not final but more like falling asleep until being awakened.
  • "bring" (ἄξει, axei): The Greek word here means "to lead" or "to bring." It shows that God is actively involved in bringing those who have died in Christ to be with Jesus, not leaving them behind.
  • "with him" (σὺν αὐτῷ, syn autō): This phrase highlights the togetherness of believers with Jesus at his return, stressing reunion and inclusion rather than separation.

Why 1 Thessalonians 4:14 matters

  • This verse addresses a real fear among early Christians that those who died before Jesus’ return might miss out on God’s promises, clarifying that they will not be left out.
  • Paul’s wording connects the believer’s hope directly to the resurrection of Jesus, making the resurrection central to Christian hope about life after death.
  • The verse sets up the following explanation in the passage about the coming of the Lord, showing that the fate of those who have died is closely tied to the future hope of all believers.

Where else these words appear

“sleep” Greek G2837 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
  • Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

“will” Greek G71 · used in 71 verses

  • Matthew 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
  • Luke 23:32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
  • Acts 17:5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

“died” Greek G599 · used in 99 verses

  • Matthew 8:32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
  • John 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
  • Romans 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

“again” Greek G450 · used in 111 verses

  • Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
  • Luke 11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
  • Acts 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.