Paraphrase Course Final Assignment
1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
For your information...Be hopeful!
#Hope
Published July 2nd, 2020
Outline
Main point summary
Paraphrase and Summary
Main point summary
observation
Future plan
Outline
II. IMPORTANT INFO. ABOUT THOSE WHO ARE ASLEEP 4:13-18 A. Do not be uninformed or grieve hopelessly. 4:13 1. Don't be uninformed about those who are asleep (already dead believers) 4:13a 2. Don't grieve like unbelievers who have no hope. 4:13b B. The dead in Christ will rise first and He will bring them. 4:14-16 1. We believe Jesus died and rose again. 4:14a 2. Jesus will bring those who have fallen asleep when He returns. 4:14b 3. We have a word from the Lord that those who are alive when He comes will not precede those who are asleep. 4:15 4. The Lord will descend from heaven with a command from an archangel and the trumpet sound, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 4:16 C. Then we who are alive will be caught up with them to meet the Lord. 4:17-18 1. We who are alive will be caught up with those who are already dead in Christ. 4:17a 2. We who are left alive will meet the Lord in the air, in the clouds 4:17b 3. We will always be with the Lord so encourage one another with these words. 4:17c-18 III. THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME SUDDENLY. 5:1-11 A. You are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come suddenly. 5:1-3 1. You already know about the timing of the Day of the Lord that it will come like a thief in the night. 5:1-2 2. While people are thinking they are in peace and security, then sudden destruction will come. 5:3a 3. They will not escape. 5:3b B. You are not in darkness to be surprised. 5:4-8 1. You believers are not in darkness to be surprised by that Day of His coming. 5:4 2. You are children of light and of day and not of night or of darkness. 5:5 3. So do not sleep but keep awake and be sober. 5:6 4. Those who sleep and get drunk do that at night. 5:7 5. But we belong to the day so be sober. 5:8a 6. We have put on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of the hope of salvation. 5:8b C. We are not destined for wrath. 5:9-11 1. God has not destined us for wrath but to obtain salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. 5:9 2. He died for us so that we might live with Him whether we are awake or asleep. 5:10 3. So, encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing. 5:11
notes
Main point summary
Believers can have hope instead of grief when one dies because Jesus is coming again and they will be with Him. His death, resurrection, and promised salvation give us this hope as well as the faith and love to keep living in the light.
Paraphrase and Summary
editing
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1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
esv
mine
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep,
To continue with this thought that we want you to be complete in every way , we want to make sure that you understand what happens when your believing friends and family die,
that you may not grieve as others do h who have no hope.
so that you don't continue to mourn and grieve so hopelessly in the way everybody without faith in Jesus does.
For i since we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
Because , here's the difference, we believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave to live again,
even so , through Jesus, God will bring with him j those who have fallen asleep.
in addition to that , we believe that God will bring believers who have died before Jesus returns along with Him when He comes.
For this we declare to you k by a word from the Lord, 1
In truth , we teach this to you as the Lord taught it to us.
that l we who are alive, who are left until m the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
that the believers who are alive when Jesus returns will not have fellowship with Him sooner than the believers who are already dead at that time.
For n the Lord himself will descend o from heaven p with a cry of command, with the voice of q an archangel,
Here is how it will happen. The Lord Jesus Christ will come down from heaven when one of the chief angels shouts a loud command,
and r with the sound of the trumpet of God.
and then we will hear the trumpet of God.
And s the dead in Christ will rise first.
And then, all believers who have died will rise up out of their graves before anything else.
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be t caught up together with them u in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air,
Next, those of us who are still alive on the earth will rise up in the clouds where they already are to join them and the Lord in the sky.
and so v we will always be with the Lord.
So in this way and from this moment on, we will be with the Lord Jesus forever and always
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
So remember this wonderful news and keep comforting each other with it all the time.
Now concerning w the times and the seasons, brothers, 1 x you have no need to have anything written to you.
Now I don't need to use any space in this letter to teach you all about the events that will happen or the time that will pass before Jesus returns.
For you yourselves are fully aware that y the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
Because you know very well that the day that Jesus returns to earth will happen suddenly and people will be caught off guard.
While people are saying, “There is peace and security,”
They will be thinking out loud, "Wow, things sure are calm because we are all safe and sound right now."
then z sudden destruction will come upon them a as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman,
Then , BAM, their supposed serenity will be shattered and their "calm" will be thoroughly damaged. They won't see it coming,
and they will not escape.
and none of them will escape what Jesus is bringing their way.
But you b are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.
But, rest assured. You are not in that boat with them, brothers and sisters in Christ. You aren't in the dark about what it coming so you won't be surprised when it happens.
For you are all c children 1 of light, children of the day.
You are different because Jesus has filled you with His Spirit and with the light of His salvation.
We are not of the night or of the darkness.
You are not still in the darkness of separation from God because of unbelief.
So then d let us not sleep, as others do,
So don't give in to deadly, mind-numbing indifference toward this great salvation in the way so many people do.
but let us e keep awake and f be sober.
Instead, be alive and actively aware as you thoughtfully consider what Jesus has taught you and what He promises to do.
For those who sleep, sleep at night,
For those who are spiritually dead, do the things that sinful people do in the darkness
and those who get drunk, g are drunk at night.
and people who get fall down sloppy drunk do that in the darkness as well.
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober,
But since we live as if the lights are all on and the sun is shining, we need to be in control of all of our faculties because of Whose we are.
h having put on the breastplate of i faith and love,
We are wearing our protective gear: growing faith powered by God's love covers our most vulnerable parts,
and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
and the joyful and confident expectation of salvation through Jesus is covering our minds and guiding our thoughts about the future.
For God has not destined us for j wrath,
This is made easier by the fact that God doesn't have us on the list of those to be punished by destruction,
but k to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
but , He has us on the list of those who will be saved because of what Jesus Christ did
l who died for us
when He died to take the punishment and pay the price for all of our sins for all time.
so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
This means that it doesn't matter if you are alive or dead when Jesus returns, you will get to live with Him forever either way.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
So in light of all of this, keep up the good work that is encouraging one another and helping each other grow in Christian maturity.
discourse
Main point summary
Be encouraged believers. No matter when you die physically, you will live with Jesus forever because He died, rose from the dead, and will return to gather His children of light. So, be sober and covered with faith, hope, and love.
observation
1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
niv
hcsb
nlt
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, g that you may not grieve as others do h who have no hope.
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.
NIV - Brothers and sisters...those who sleep in death...like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. NLT - believers who have died HCSB like the rest, who have no hope
For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
For i since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him j those who have fallen asleep.
Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.
For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.
NIV - God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him NLT - raised to life again...when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. ESV - even so, through Jesus, Good will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. HCSB - in the same way God will bring...
According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For this we declare to you k by a word from the Lord, 1 that l we who are alive, who are left until m the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep.
We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.
NIV - According to the Lord's word, we tell you... NLT - We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. HCSB - ...by a revelation from the Lord: ...certainly have no advantage over...
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
For n the Lord himself will descend o from heaven p with a cry of command, with the voice of q an archangel, and r with the sound of the trumpet of God. And s the dead in Christ will rise first.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.
NIV - ...a loud command...trumpet call of God...dead in Christ... NLT - ...a commanding shout...trumpet call of God...believers who have died will rise from their graves. ESV - ...cry of command...sound of trumpet of God HCSB - ...a shout
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be t caught up together with them u in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so v we will always be with the Lord.
Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord.
Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.
NIV - After that NLT - and remain on the earth...
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
So encourage each other with these words.
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,
Now concerning w the times and the seasons, brothers, 1 x you have no need to have anything written to you.
About the times and the seasons: Brothers, you do not need anything to be written to you.
Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you.
NIV - times and dates NLT - how and when all this will happen ESV - times and seasons HCSB times and seasons
for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
For you yourselves are fully aware that y the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.
For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.
NLT - ...the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly...
While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then z sudden destruction will come upon them a as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
NIV - peace and safety, destruction... NLT - Everything is peaceful and secure, then disaster will fall... ESV - There is peace and security, then sudden destruction... HCSB - peace and security then sudden destruction
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
But you b are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.
But you, brothers, are not in the dark, for this day to overtake you like a thief.
But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.
NLT - you aren't in the dark about these things... you won't be surprised when the day ... HCSB ...for this day to overtake you...
You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
For you are all c children 1 of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.
For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.
So then d let us not sleep, as others do, but let us e keep awake and f be sober.
So then, we must not sleep, like the rest, but we must stay awake and be serious.
So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.
NLT - So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Say alert and be clearheaded. HCSB - ...stay awake and be serious. NIV/ESV - awake and sober
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, g are drunk at night.
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.
NLT - Night is the time when...
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, h having put on the breastplate of i faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
But since we belong to the day, we must be serious and put the armor of faith and love on our chests, and put on a helmet of the hope of salvation.
But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
NIV sober NLT - clearheaded...protected by the armor...confidence in our salvation. ESV - sober HCSB - serious...on our chests
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
For God has not destined us for j wrath, but k to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.
NIV - ...appoint us to suffer NLT - ...chose to save us through our Lord..., not to pur out his anger on us. ESV ...not destined for...
He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
l who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.
Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.
NLT - ...whether we are dead or alive when he returns...
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
This is pointing out a major shift in thinking when a person becomes a believer. Hopeless grief is no longer needed when you have faith in the fact of Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus will return to gather His people who are still alive and He will bring those who have already died with Him. This removes the need for hopelessness at the death of a believer.
I am curious about the timeline: In light of the statement, "He will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep" I wonder how far before the living rise, will the dead rise from their graves to meet Him? The description in v 16-17 shows a more clearly defined timeline: Lord descends with an angel shout and trumpet sound Dead in Christ rise from graves to meet Him in the air. Living in Christ rise to meet Him in the air. All in Christ will be with Him forever.
How often and on what occasions did they encourage with these words?
Are these teachings recorded elsewhere? When did they learn these truths about the Day of the Lord?
Here is another difference in the thoughts and lives of believers. They won't be surprised when the Lord returns even though it will be sudden. They will not be destroyed and they will escape.
Believers' behavior is also distinct. They are awake and sober and not asleep and drunk. They have faith and love covering their hearts and the confident hope of salvation through Jesus Christ covering their minds. Unbelievers have false belief and false hope.
Our very destiny is different because of Jesus. We are destined for salvation and not for wrath like those who will not be saved through Jesus Christ.
So, here is the big encouraging truth: No matter when you die physically, (before Jesus returns or not at all), You will live with Jesus forever because He died for you and you believe in Him.
Future plan
I have thoroughly enjoyed the Paraphrase course and I look forward to using the tools that have been added to my toolbox for further Bible study. Beginning in September, I will join the Bible Study Fellowship study of Genesis and I plan to deepen my study by doing a thorough dig into each passage with these tools. I also plan to lead a Bible Study in the near future, but I am still praying about which book we will study. The Paraphrase course has permanently changed the way I will prepare to lead. Thanks so much for the course and for the encouraging and insightful feedback. This has helped me so much! God bless you all as you serve Him! DeeDee Foley
Comments
Disclaimer: The opinions and conclusions expressed on this page are those of the author and may or may not accord with the positions of Biblearc or Bethlehem College & Seminary.