4035. perileipomai
Lexical Summary
perileipomai: To remain, to be left behind

Original Word: περιλείπομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: perileipomai
Pronunciation: pe-ri-LEI-po-mai
Phonetic Spelling: (per-ee-li'-po)
KJV: remain
NASB: remain
Word Origin: [from G4012 (περί - about) and G3007 (λείπω - lacking)]

1. to leave all around
2. (passively) survive

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
remain.

From peri and leipo; to leave all around, i.e. (passively) survive -- remain.

see GREEK peri

see GREEK leipo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from peri and leipó
Definition
to be left remaining
NASB Translation
remain (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4035: περιλείπω

περιλείπω: present passive participle περιλειπόμενος (cf. περί, III. 2); to leave over; passive, to remain over, to survive: 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17. (Aristophanes, Plato, Euripides, Polybius, Herodian; 2 Macc. 1:31.)

Topical Lexicon
Root Idea

The term denotes those who “remain all around,” the living believers who will still be on earth at the moment of Jesus Christ’s Parousia. While the concept is simple—survivors—the setting infuses it with profound eschatological hope.

New Testament Usage

Paul employs the word twice, both in 1 Thessalonians 4. The congregation at Thessalonica feared their deceased brothers and sisters might forfeit the blessings of Christ’s return. Paul assures them, “We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:15). A verse later he repeats, “Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). In each instance the term highlights the living segment of the Church that will witness—and participate in—the glorious reunion of all saints, resurrected and transformed.

Eschatological Framework

The phrase anchors Paul’s earliest written exposition of the rapture. It divides humanity into two groups only: the dead in Christ, and the living in Christ. Both are equally secure; both will share simultaneously in resurrection glory. The word therefore safeguards the unity of the Church across the boundary of death and affirms that no believer will be left disadvantaged at the Lord’s appearing.

Connection to the Remnant Theme

Although distinct from the Old Testament vocabulary for “remnant,” the idea resonates with passages such as Isaiah 10:20–22 and Romans 11:5. God consistently preserves a people for Himself. The Thessalonian “remnant” at Christ’s return will stand as proof of His faithfulness to keep a covenant community on earth until history’s consummation.

Pastoral Consolation

Paul’s repeated use of the term is pastoral rather than academic. Grief over departed loved ones gave way to reassurance: the living believers will not prevent nor precede the dead; all will be together. The word thus supplies a foundation for Christian funeral hope and for mutual encouragement within the body.

Doctrinal Implications

1. The continuity of identity—those who “remain” are the same persons who trusted in Christ before His coming.
2. The immediacy of transformation—the living will be changed “in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52).
3. The inclusivity of resurrection hope—no believer, living or dead, misses out on the consummation.
4. The certainty of Christ’s literal, personal return—Paul speaks of a real event in space-time history.

Practical Ministry Application

• Comfort the bereaved: assure them that departed saints will rise first and that the living will follow without delay.
• Cultivate expectancy: believers who may “remain” ought to live in holiness and readiness (1 Thessalonians 5:6).
• Foster unity: since all saints share the same destiny, divisions within the Church have no place.
• Strengthen missions: the possibility of being among those who remain urges believers to hasten the spread of the gospel before the trumpet sounds.

Theological Reflections

The word stands as a quiet witness to God’s sovereign preservation of His people. History will never outmaneuver His promises; there will always be Christians alive to greet the returning King. For the Church today, the term calls for confidence in Scripture’s prophetic reliability and for steadfast hope amid cultural upheaval. The God who keeps some alive until the final trumpet also keeps every promise in Christ.

Forms and Transliterations
περιλειπομενοι περιλειπόμενοι περιλήψεως περιλοίποις περιλοίπους perileipomenoi perileipómenoi
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Englishman's Concordance
1 Thessalonians 4:15 V-PPM/P-NMP
GRK: ζῶντες οἱ περιλειπόμενοι εἰς τὴν
NAS: that we who are alive and remain until
KJV: are alive [and] remain unto
INT: living who remain to the

1 Thessalonians 4:17 V-PPM/P-NMP
GRK: ζῶντες οἱ περιλειπόμενοι ἅμα σὺν
NAS: we who are alive and remain will be caught
KJV: are alive [and] remain shall be caught up
INT: living who remain together with

Strong's Greek 4035
2 Occurrences


περιλειπόμενοι — 2 Occ.

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