1Th 4:15-17 | TNotes | STEP | 4:15 directly from the Lord: Jesus’ own teaching provided the source of Paul’s assurance for the Thessalonians (see Matt 24:29-31 , 40-41 ) • not ... ahead: Paul wants the Thessalonians to know that, when the Lord returns, the dead will not be at a disadvantage but will participate equally in the resurrection. • In referring to Jesus’ coming, Paul uses a Greek term ( parousia ) commonly used to describe the coming of the emperor to a city with great pomp and celebration (see 1 Thes 4:17 ).

a4:15►

bMatt 24:29-31►

c40-41►

d1 Thes 4:17►

e4:16►

fZeph 1:16►

gZech 9:14►

hMatt 24:31►

i1 Cor 15:52►

j4:17►

kMatt 25:6►

l10►

mActs 28:15-16►

‏ 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

4:15 ^a directly from the Lord: Jesus’ own teaching provided the source of Paul’s assurance for the Thessalonians (see Matt 24:29-31 ^b, 40-41 ^c)

• not ... ahead: Paul wants the Thessalonians to know that, when the Lord returns, the dead will not be at a disadvantage but will participate equally in the resurrection.

• In referring to Jesus’ coming, Paul uses a Greek term (parousia) commonly used to describe the coming of the emperor to a city with great pomp and celebration (see 1 Thes 4:17 ^d).
4:16 ^e with the trumpet call of God: God’s trumpet will herald the resurrection, just as it previously announced the rescue of Israel (Zeph 1:16 ^f; Zech 9:14 ^g). In the future it will announce the gathering of God’s chosen people from the “farthest ends of the earth and heaven” (Matt 24:31 ^h; cp. 1 Cor 15:52 ⁱ).
4:17 ^j to meet: This alludes to the custom of sending an official delegation to greet a visiting dignitary and accompany him as he enters the city (Matt 25:6 ^k, 10 ^l; Acts 28:15-16 ^m).