Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 4:13

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Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 4:13


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§ 8. 1Th 4:13-18. Concerning them that fall asleep

Thessalonian faith had its “deficiencies” on the doctrinal as well as the practical side (see note introductory to last section). In regard to the coming of the Lord Jesus, which filled a large place in the missionary preaching of the Apostles and in the thoughts and hopes of their converts (see 1Th 1:3; 1Th 1:10, 1Th 2:12, 1Th 3:13; Act 17:30 f.), there was misgiving and questioning upon two points; and about these the Thessalonians appear to have sent enquiries to St Paul (see Introd. p. xxxvi.): (a) as to the lot of those dying before the Lord’s return—would they miss the occasion, and be shut out of His kingdom? (1Th 4:13 ff.); (b) as to the time when the advent might be expected (1Th 5:1-11). The two subjects are abruptly introduced in turn by περί, as matters in the minds of the readers; they are treated in an identical method. With the former of these questions, made acute by the strokes of bereavement falling on the Church since St Paul’s departure, the Letter proceeds to deal. The readers (1) are assured that their departed fellow-believers are safe with Jesus, and will return along with Him (1Th 4:13 f.); (2) they are informed, by express revelation, that these instead of being excluded will have the first place in the assembling of the saints at Christ’s return (1Th 4:15-17); (3) they are bidden to cheer one another with this hope (1Th 4:18). Lightfoot quotes from the Clementine Recognitions, i. 52, the question, “Si Christi regno fruentur hi quos justos invenerit ejus adventus, ergo qui ante adventum ejus defuncti sunt, regno penitus carebunt?” showing that the difficulty raised by the Thessalonians was felt elsewhere in the Early Church. This passage stands by itself in Scripture, containing a distinct λόγος κυρίου (1Th 4:15), in the disclosure it makes respecting the circumstances of the Second Advent; it is on this account the most interesting passage in the Epistle. The discussion of the subject (1Th 4:13 to 1Th 5:11) reflects with a directness unusual in the Apostle the personal teaching of Jesus, and wears the colours of Jewish eschatology.