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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - 1 Thessalonians 4:17 - 4:17
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Then (epeita). The next step, not the identical time (tote), but immediately afterwards.
Together with them (hama sun autois). Note both hama (at the same time) and sun (together with) with the associative instrumental case autois (the risen saints).
Shall be caught up (harpagēsometha). Second future passive indicative of harpazō, old verb to seize, to carry off like Latin rapio.
To meet the Lord in the air (eis apantēsin tou Kuriou eis aera). This special Greek idiom is common in the lxx like the Hebrew, but Polybius has it also and it occurs in the papyri (Moulton, Proleg., p. 14, n. 3). This rapture of the saints (both risen and changed) is a glorious climax to Paul’s argument of consolation.
And so (kai houtōs). This is the outcome, to be forever with the Lord, whether with a return to earth or with an immediate departure for heaven Paul does not say. To be with Christ is the chief hope of Paul’s life (1Th 5:10; Phi 1:23; Col 3:4; 2Co 5:8).