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Text -- 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (NET)
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics
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collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Robertson: 1Th 4:16 - -- With a shout ( en keleusmati ).
Note this so-called instrumental use of en . Old word, here only in N.T., from keleuō , to order, command (military...
With a shout (
Note this so-called instrumental use of
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Robertson: 1Th 4:16 - -- With the voice of the archangel ( en phōnēi archaggelou ).
Further explanation of keleusmati (command). The only archangel mentioned in N.T. is...
With the voice of the archangel (
Further explanation of
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Robertson: 1Th 4:16 - -- With the trump of God ( en salpiggi theou ).
Trumpet. See same figure in 1Co 15:52.
With the trump of God (
Trumpet. See same figure in 1Co 15:52.
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Robertson: 1Th 4:16 - -- The dead in Christ shall rise first ( hoi nekroi en Christōi anastēsontai prōton ).
The dead in Christ shall rise first (
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Robertson: 1Th 4:16 - -- First
here refers plainly to the fact that, so far from the dead in Christ having no share in the Parousia, they will rise before those still alive a...
First
here refers plainly to the fact that, so far from the dead in Christ having no share in the Parousia, they will rise before those still alive are changed.
Vincent: 1Th 4:16 - -- The word of the Lord
1Th 4:15, is apparently not intended to include the specific details which follow. In that word the revelation was to the ef...
The word of the Lord
1Th 4:15, is apparently not intended to include the specific details which follow. In that word the revelation was to the effect that all believers simultaneously should share the blessings of the advent. The following description of the Lord's descent from heaven is intended to emphasize the fact that the reunion of dead and living believers will be accomplished by the Lord in person (
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Vincent: 1Th 4:16 - -- Shall descend from heaven
Used nowhere else of Christ's second coming. Frequently in the Fourth Gospel, of Christ's descent to earth as man. See ...
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Vincent: 1Th 4:16 - -- With a shout ( ἐν κελεύσματι )
N.T.o . Once in lxx, Proverbs 24:62 (English Bib. Pro 30:27). From κελεύειν to summon...
With a shout (
N.T.o . Once in lxx, Proverbs 24:62 (English Bib. Pro 30:27). From
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Vincent: 1Th 4:16 - -- Archangel ( ἀρχαγγέλου )
Only here and Jud 1:9. Not in O.T. The Pauline angelology shows traces of Rabbinical teachings in the idea...
Archangel (
Only here and Jud 1:9. Not in O.T. The Pauline angelology shows traces of Rabbinical teachings in the idea of orders of angels. See Eph 1:21; Col 1:16; Rom 8:38. The archangels appear in the apocryphal literature. In the Book of Enoch (see on Jud 1:14) four are named, Michael, Uriel, Raphael, and Gabriel. Michael is set over the tree which, at the time of the great judgment, will be given over to the righteous and humble, and from the fruit of which life will be given to the elect. In Tob. 12:15, Raphael appears as one of the seven holy angels. Comp. Rev 8:2. See also on Jud 1:9, and comp. Dan 12:1.
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Vincent: 1Th 4:16 - -- With the trump of God ( ἐν σάλπιγγι θεοῦ )
For the trumpet heralding great manifestations of God, see Exo 19:13, Exo 19:16; P...
With the trump of God (
For the trumpet heralding great manifestations of God, see Exo 19:13, Exo 19:16; Psa 47:5; Isa 27:13; Zec 9:14; Zep 1:16; Joe 2:1; Mat 24:31; 1Co 15:52; Rev 1:10; Rev 4:1. Of God does not indicate the size or loudness of the trumpet, but merely that it is used in God's service. Comp. harps of God , Rev 15:2; musical instruments of God , 1Ch 16:42. The later Jews believed that God would use a trumpet to raise the dead.
Wesley -> 1Th 4:16
Wesley: 1Th 4:16 - -- Properly, a proclamation made to a great multitude. Above this is, the voice of the archangel; above both, the trumpet of God; the voice of God, somew...
Properly, a proclamation made to a great multitude. Above this is, the voice of the archangel; above both, the trumpet of God; the voice of God, somewhat analogous to the sound of a trumpet.
In all the Majesty of His presence in person, not by deputy.
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Greek, "in," implying one concomitant circumstance attending His appearing.
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JFB: 1Th 4:16 - -- Greek, "signal shout," "war shout." Jesus is represented as a victorious King, giving the word of command to the hosts of heaven in His train for the ...
Greek, "signal shout," "war shout." Jesus is represented as a victorious King, giving the word of command to the hosts of heaven in His train for the last onslaught, at His final triumph over sin, death, and Satan (Rev 19:11-21).
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JFB: 1Th 4:16 - -- Distinct from the "signal shout." Michael is perhaps meant (Jud 1:9; Rev 12:7), to whom especially is committed the guardianship of the people of God ...
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JFB: 1Th 4:16 - -- The trumpet blast which usually accompanies God's manifestation in glory (Exo 19:16; Psa 47:5); here the last of the three accompaniments of His appea...
The trumpet blast which usually accompanies God's manifestation in glory (Exo 19:16; Psa 47:5); here the last of the three accompaniments of His appearing: as the trumpet was used to convene God's people to their solemn convocations (Num 10:2, Num 10:10; Num 31:6), so here to summon God's elect together, preparatory to their glorification with Christ (Psa 50:1-5; Mat 24:31; 1Co 15:52).
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JFB: 1Th 4:16 - -- Previously to the living being "caught up." The "first" here has no reference to the first resurrection, as contrasted with that of "the rest of the d...
Previously to the living being "caught up." The "first" here has no reference to the first resurrection, as contrasted with that of "the rest of the dead." That reference occurs elsewhere (Mat 13:41-42, Mat 13:50; Joh 5:29; 1Co 15:23-24; Rev 20:5-6); it simply stands in opposition to "then," 1Th 4:17. FIRST, "the dead in Christ" shall rise, THEN the living shall be caught up. The Lord's people alone are spoken of here.
Clarke: 1Th 4:16 - -- The Lord himself - That is: Jesus Christ shall descend from heaven; shall descend in like manner as he was seen by his disciples to ascend, i.e. in ...
The Lord himself - That is: Jesus Christ shall descend from heaven; shall descend in like manner as he was seen by his disciples to ascend, i.e. in his human form, but now infinitely more glorious; for thousands of thousands shall minister unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand shall stand before him; for the Son of man shall come on the throne of his glory: but who may abide the day of his coming, or stand when he appeareth
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Clarke: 1Th 4:16 - -- With a shout - Or order, εν κελευσματι· and probably in these words: Arise, ye dead, and come to judgment; which order shall be repea...
With a shout - Or order,
Observe the order of this terribly glorious day
1. Jesus, in all the dignity and splendor of his eternal majesty, shall descend from heaven to the mid region, what the apostle calls the air, somewhere within the earth’ s atmosphere
2. Then the
3. Next the archangel, as the herald of Christ, shall repeat the order, Arise, ye dead, and come to judgment
4. When all the dead in Christ are raised, then the trumpet shall sound, as the signal for them all to flock together to the throne of Christ. It was by the sound of the trumpet that the solemn assemblies, under the law, were convoked; and to such convocations there appears to be here an allusion
5. When the dead in Christ are raised, their vile bodies being made like unto his glorious body, then
6. Those who are alive shall be changed, and made immortal
7. These shall be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air
8. We may suppose that the judgment will now be set, and the books opened, and the dead judged out of the things written in those books
9. The eternal states of quick and dead being thus determined, then all who shall be found to have made a covenant with him by sacrifice, and to have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, shall be taken to his eternal glory, and be for ever with the Lord. What an inexpressibly terrific glory will then be exhibited! I forbear to call in here the descriptions which men of a poetic turn have made of this terrible scene, because I cannot trust to their correctness; and it is a subject which we should speak of and contemplate as nearly as possible in the words of Scripture.
Calvin -> 1Th 4:16
Calvin: 1Th 4:16 - -- 16.For the Lord himself. He employs the term κελεύσματος, ( shout,) and afterwards adds, the voice of the archangel, by way of expositio...
16.For the Lord himself. He employs the term
The dead who are in Christ. He again says that the dead who are in Christ, that is, who are included in Christ’s body, will rise first, that we may know that the hope of life is laid up in heaven for them no less than for the living. He says nothing as to the reprobate, because this did not tend to the consolation of the pious, of which he is now treating.
He says that those that survive will be carried up together with them. As to these, he makes no mention of death: hence it appears as if he meant to say that they would be exempted from death. Here Augustine gives himself much distress, both in the twentieth book on the City of God and in his Answer to Dulcitius, because Paul seems to contradict himself, inasmuch as he says elsewhere, that seed cannot spring up again unless it die. (1Co 15:36) The solution, however, is easy, inasmuch as a sudden change will be like death. Ordinary death, it is true, is the separation of the soul from the body; but this does not hinder that the Lord may in a moment destroy this corruptible nature, so as to create it anew by his power, for thus is accomplished what Paul himself teaches must take place — that mortality shall be swallowed up of life. (2Co 5:4) What is stated in our Confession, 584 that “Christ will be the Judge of the dead and of the living,” 585 Augustine acknowledges to be true without a figure. 586 He is only at a loss as to this — how those that have not died will rise again. But, as I have said, that is a kind of death, when this flesh is reduced to nothing, as it is now liable to corruption. The only difference is this — that those who sleep 587 put off the substance of the body for some space of time, but those that will be suddenly changed will put off nothing but the quality
Defender -> 1Th 4:16
Defender: 1Th 4:16 - -- The "shout" is a military command. The great event is described as a military assault with the great host of heaven, under the command of an (not "the...
The "shout" is a military command. The great event is described as a military assault with the great host of heaven, under the command of an (not "the") archangel (probably Michael - compare Jud 1:9; Rev 12:7-9), penetrating Satan's domain ("the prince of the power of the air" - Eph 2:2; Eph 6:12). The Lord Jesus, Himself, will lead the mighty army of heaven, and Satan's hosts are powerless to stem the tide. The old "strong man" of this world, the Devil, will soon be bound. The Lord "will spoil his house" (Mat 12:29), raising the dead and rapturing into the air all His redeemed ones, whether living or sleeping."
TSK -> 1Th 4:16
TSK: 1Th 4:16 - -- the Lord : Isa 25:8, Isa 25:9; Mat 16:27, Mat 24:30,Mat 24:31, Mat 25:31, Mat 26:64; Act 1:11; 2Th 1:7; 2Pe 3:10; Rev 1:7
with a : Num 23:21; Psa 47:1...
the Lord : Isa 25:8, Isa 25:9; Mat 16:27, Mat 24:30,Mat 24:31, Mat 25:31, Mat 26:64; Act 1:11; 2Th 1:7; 2Pe 3:10; Rev 1:7
with a : Num 23:21; Psa 47:1, Psa 47:5; Zec 4:7, Zec 9:9
the archangel : Jud 1:9
with the trump : Exo 19:16, Exo 20:18; Isa 27:13; Zec 9:14; 1Co 15:52; Rev 1:10, Rev 8:13
and the : 1Co 15:23, 1Co 15:51, 1Co 15:52; Rev 20:5, Rev 20:6
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collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> 1Th 4:16
Barnes: 1Th 4:16 - -- For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven - notes, Act 1:11. With a shout - The word here used ( κέλευσμα keleusma ), ...
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven - notes, Act 1:11.
With a shout - The word here used (
With the voice of the archangel - The word archangel occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, except in Jud 1:9, where it is applied to Michael. It properly means a chief angel; one who is first, or who is over others -
Gabriel, Dan 8:16; Dan 9:21; compare Luk 1:19, Luk 1:26. Raphael, Tobit 3:17; 5:4; 8:2; 9:1, 5; 12:15. The Book of Enoch adds that of Uriel, pp. 187, 190, 191, 193. Michael is mentioned as one "of the chief princes,"Dan 10:13; and as "the great prince,"Dan 12:1; compare notes on Eph 1:21, and see an article by Prof. Stuart in the Bibliotheca Sacra. No. 1, on Angelology. It seems evident from the Scriptures, that there is one or more among the angels to whom the name archangel properly belongs. This view is in accordance with the doctrine in the Scriptures that the heavenly beings are divided into ranks and orders, for if so, it is not unreasonable to suppose that there should be one or more to whom the most exalted rank pertains; compare Rev 12:7. Whether there is more than one to whom this name appropriately belongs, it is impossible now to determine, and is not material. The word here (in Greek) is without the article, and the phrase might be rendered, "with the voice of an archangel."
The Syriac renders it, "with the voice of the prince of the angels."On an occasion so august and momentous as that of the coming of the final Judge of all mankind; the resurrection of the dead, and the solemn transactions before the tribunal of the Son of God deciding the destiny of countless million for ever, it will not be inappropriate that the highest among the heavenly hosts should be present and take an important part in the solemnities of the day. It is not quite certain what is meant here by "the voice of the archangel,"or for what purpose that voice will be heard. It cannot be that it will be to raise the dead - for that will be by the "voice of the Son of God"Joh 5:28-29, and it seems most probable that the meaning is, that this will be a part of the loud shout or cry which will be made by the descending hosts of heaven; or perhaps it may be for the purpose of summoning the world to the bar of judgment; compare Mat 24:31.
And with the trump of God - The trump which God appoints to be sounded on that solemn occasion. It does not mean that it will be sounded by God himself; see the notes on Mat 24:31.
And the dead in Christ - Christians.
Shall rise first - That is, before the living shall be changed. A doctrine similar to this was held by the Jews. "Resch Lachisch said, Those who die in the land of Israel shall rise first in the days of the Messiah."See Wetstein, in loc. It is implied in all this description, that the interval between their resurrection and the change which will occur to the living, will be brief, or that the one will rapidly succeed the other compare notes, 1Co 15:23, 1Co 15:51-52.
Poole -> 1Th 4:16
Poole: 1Th 4:16 - -- For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout the means which effect this. The word shout in the Greek signifies a command, or word of...
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout the means which effect this. The word shout in the Greek signifies a command, or word of command; alluding to mariners or soldiers summoned to be ready with their assistance when called upon; and may refer to the angels whom Christ now summons to attend and assist in that day. And the evangelist speaks of the voice of Christ, Joh 5:28 , which is there said to raise the dead. Whether this is an oral shout and voice from the mouth of Christ, or only an expression of his Divine power, whereby he shall awaken them that sleep out of their graves, is a question I shall not be curious about.
With the voice of the archangel: Christ is said to come with all the holy angels, Mat 25:31 ; and to send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, Mat 24:31 . But here is mentioned only the archangel and his voice, instead of all the rest, they all coming under his conduct. Though there be not such distinct orders of angels as the schoolmen affirm, yet there is order among them, as archangel implies. And whether he will put forth an audible voice or not at that day, or whether this archangel be not the same with Christ himself, who is the Head of all principality and power, Col 2:10 , I leave it as doubtful; but, however, it is certain the angels shall be ministering to Christ at that day, especially in the resurrection of the elect, Mat 24:31 , and severing the righteous from the wicked, Mat 13:41 .
And with the trump of God; as 1Co 15:52 . And whether this is to be taken literally, and distinct from the shout and voice before mentioned, or used only to show forth the Divine power of God that shall gather all the elect together out of their graves, as the trumpet in war gathers the scattered army, or as the silver trumpets under the law assembled the congregation of Israel, I shall not be positive. And this is the account of the saints that are raised.
Gill -> 1Th 4:16
Gill: 1Th 4:16 - -- For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven,.... Not by proxy, or by representatives; not by the ministry of angels, as on Mount Sinai; nor by the ...
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven,.... Not by proxy, or by representatives; not by the ministry of angels, as on Mount Sinai; nor by the ministers of the word, as under the Gospel dispensation; nor by his spirit, and the discovery of his love and grace, in which sense he descends in a spiritual manner, and visits his people; but in person, in his human nature, in soul and body; in like manner as he went up to heaven will he descend from thence, so as to be visible, to be seen and heard of all: he will come down from the third heaven, whither he was carried up, into which he was received, and where he is retained until the time of the restitution of all things, and from whence the saints expect him: and this descent will be
with a shout; the word here used is observed by many to signify such a noise or shout as is made either by mariners, when they pull and row together; and shout to direct and encourage one another; or to an army with the general at the head of it, when about to undertake some considerable action, to enter on a battle, and make the onset; Christ will now appear as the King of kings, and Lord of lords, as the Judge of the whole earth, attended with the host, or armies of heaven, and the shout of a king will be among them: perhaps the same is intended, as by the voice of a great multitude, as the voice of many waters, and of mighty thunderings upon the coming of Christ, the destruction of antichrist, and the marriage of the Lamb, in Rev 19:1. The Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions render it, "in", or "with command"; and the Arabic version, "with his own government", or "authority"; that is, he shall descend, either by the command of his Father, as man and Mediator, having authority from him, as the son of man, to execute judgment; or with his commanding power and authority over the mighty angels, that shall descend with him: it follows,
with the voice of the archangel; so Michael is called, in Jud 1:9 with which compare Rev 12:7 and who perhaps is no other than Christ himself, who is the head of all principality and power; and the sense be, that Christ shall descend from heaven with a voice, or shall then utter such a voice, as will show him to be the archangel; or as the Syriac version renders it, "the head", or "prince of angels"; and which whether, it will be an articulate voice, such as was expressed at the grave of Lazarus; or a violent clap of thunder, which is the voice of God; or the exertion of the power of Christ, is not certain: it is added,
and with the trump of God; called "the last trump", 1Co 15:52 because none will be blown after it, and may be the same with the seventh trumpet, Rev 11:15 and here the trump of God, because blown by his order; or by Christ himself, who is God, and so be the same with the voice of the archangel; and these figurative expressions are used, to set forth the grandeur and magnificence in which Christ will come; not in that low, mean, and humble form in which he first came, but with great glory, and marks of honour and respect; with angels shouting, trumpets blowing, and saints rejoicing. This is said in allusion to the trumpet which was heard on Mount Sinai at the giving of the law, and of which the Jews say d, that it
"Michael shall shout with a great shout, and the graves of the dead shall be opened at Jerusalem, and the holy blessed God will restore the dead to life, and Messiah the son of David shall come,'' &c.
And the dead in Christ shall rise first; the same with those that are asleep in Jesus, 1Th 4:14 not only the martyrs that died for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel; nor merely those who die in the lively exercise of faith in Christ; but all that die interested in him, and in union with him: and these shall "rise", in consequence of their being his; being given to him, made his care and charge, and engaged for by him, and in virtue of their union to him; and shall rise to an entire conformity to his glorious body, and in order to enjoy eternal life and glory with him: and these will rise "first", before the wicked, which is the first resurrection, Rev 20:5 even a thousand years before them; the righteous will rise in the morning of the resurrection, and so will have the dominion in the morning, Psa 49:14 even at the beginning of the thousand years, as soon as Christ will come; but the wicked will not rise till the evening of that day, or till the close of the thousand years: and this agrees with the notions of the Jews, who thought that some will rise before others;
"Wheresoever thou findest the dead, take them and bury them, and I will give thee the first place in my resurrection.'' (2 Esdras 2:23)
Having mentioned those words in Psa 116:9 "I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living", it is asked i,
"is there no land of the living but Tyre and its neighbours, and Caesarea, and its neighbours, where is cheapness and fulness? says R. Simeon ben Lekish, in the name of Bar Kaphra, the land in which the dead live,
and on the same place elsewhere k they observe, that
"our Rabbins say two things, or give two reasons, why the fathers loved to be buried in the land of Israel, because the dead in the land of Israel
and in another place l they take notice of what is written in Isa 26:19 "and the earth shall cast out the dead": says R. Jochanan,
"the dead which are in the land (i.e. of Israel), they shall "live first"; as it is said, "thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise": these are they that are without the land; "awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust", these are they that die in the wilderness:''
and again m,
"as it is said,
Isa 40:26 "that bringeth out their host by numbers", come see, it is said, all that die in the land of Israel
Once more they say n,
"they that study in the law as they ought, these are they that shall "rise first" to everlasting life, as it is said Dan 12:2, "and many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life", &c. and these are for everlasting life, because they study in everlasting life, which is the law:''
to which may be added the following passage o,
"they that are worthy to be buried in the land of Israel, shall "be raised first"--and they shall be raised and quickened before the rest of the children of the world, who draw the waters of the law; and they draw, because they study to draw out of the waters of the law; and they are strengthened by the tree of life, and they shall go out "first", because the tree of life is the cause why they shall "rise first":''
they sometimes endeavour to fix the time, how long they will rise before the rest p;
""many of those that sleep", &c. these are the righteous that shall "go before" others in life, and how many years shall they go before them? R. Judah says, two hundred and ten years; R. Isaac says, two hundred and fourteen; according to others, the righteous shall go (or be raised) a year before the rest of men; says R. Nachman, it will be according to the computation (of time) that the carcass has been in the dust; R. Jose replies, if so, there will be many resurrections.''
These instances may suffice to show, that the Jews had a notion of some persons rising before others, to which the apostle may have some reference; though his sense is not only this, but also that the dead in Christ shall rise before the living saints are changed, and taken up to be with Christ, and so shall not go before to him; which illustrates and proves what he had before asserted.
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expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
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