1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not… OF WHOM DOES THE APOSTLE HERE SPEAK? Of them that "sleep in Jesus." 1. To term "death sleep" was usual with the inspired writers (Psalm 76:5; Daniel 12:2; 1 Corinthians 11:30; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 5:10). The figure is appropriate, for in sleep the senses are locked up, the members are motionless, we rest on our beds (Isaiah 57:2) from toil and pain, and awake (Daniel 12:2); so in death. 2. It is not, however, of all who die that the apostle speaks (Revelation 14:13). Those who die in the Lord are first "in Him," not by being baptized and professing Christianity, not by merely attending ordinances, not by moral blamelessness, not by orthodox opinions, but by faith in Christ. This faith secures freedom from condemnation (Romans 8:1); a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15); obedience (John 14:21), in which obedience we must persevere if we would sleep in Jesus. II. WHAT ARE THE THINGS CONCERNING SUCH OF WHICH WE OUGHT NOT TO BE IGNORANT? 1. That being in Him, they belong to Him, and are precious in His sight. He is their God; their Shepherd who knows, acknowledges, and takes care of them (John 10:14, 15, 27-29): they are His disciples, His family, His spouse, His members. Hence not only in life but in death they are precious to Him (Psalm 116:15). For this, like all other things, is under the direction of His providence, and shall promote their good. 2. That as He is not the God, the Shepherd, etc., of the dead, but of the living, they shall not die, but only sleep, and shall certainly awake (Daniel 12:2; Isaiah 26:19; John 5:25-29; Romans 8:10), and be most gloriously changed (Philippians 3:21). Of all this Christ's resurrection is an assurance. This sleep is not insensibility: for the soul does not sleep even here, much less when disunited from the body. 3. That death is gain, having many advantages over life — freedom from labour, care, temptation, sin, sickness, death, and presence with Christ and saints and angels. 4. That we shall meet our departed friends again, and know them, and be with them and the Lord forever (vers. 14-18). III. THE END FOR WHICH WE OUGHT NOT TO BE IGNORANT OF THESE THINGS. 1. That we sorrow not as those who have no hope. Sorrow we may and must. Grace was not meant to destroy but to regulate our affections. Nay, not to mourn would be sinful and lamentable (Isaiah 57:1; Jeremiah 22:18, 19). But we must not sorrow as heathen or unbelievers. 2. Moreover, sorrow is needless — (1) On their account, for theirs is not loss, except of things which it is desirable to lose, but gain. (2) On our own account, for the loss is but momentary (Hebrews 11:10). (J. Benson.) Parallel Verses KJV: But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. |
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