Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Thessalonians 4:14

14 For if we believe that Jesus dyed, and rose again , even so them also which sleep in Jesus , will God bring with him .

He supposeth they did believe that Christ died, and rose again; it was that which he had taught them, and which they had received, as being the two first and fundamental points of the Christian Faith without which they could not have been a Church of Christ. Quest. But how doth Christs Resurrection prove the Resurrection of the Saints? He being the Eternal Son of God might have a priviledge above all? Answ. This first shews the thing is possible, God hath already done it in Christ. 2. Christ rose for our justification, Rom. 5. last. and in Justification sin is pardon'd which brought in Death, and which alone by its guilt can keep under the dominion of Death. 3. Christ rose not as a private person, but as the head of the body, his Church, Eph. 1.4.20, &c. and so loosed the bands of Death, and conquered the grave for all his People. 4. As the first fruits, 1 Cor. 15.20. which was a pledge and assurance of the whole Harvest to follow. 5. God hath predestinated the Elect whom he foreknew, to be conformed to the image of his Son, Rom. 8.29. 6. He is not complete without them, Eph. 1. ult. Lastly, They sleep in Jesus, as the Text speaks; not only live but die in him, Rev. 14.13. their Union remains with Christ even in death.

By which words also the Apostle distinguisheth believers from all others; its only they shall have the priviledge of this blessed Resurrection who sleep in Iesus. And perseverance in Christ to the end, is here also intimated.

And though their Resurrection is not express'd in the Text, yet it is implyed in this saying. By God is meant, as some understand here, the Son of God, who is to come from heaven, chap. 1. last. And who will bring the spirits of just men made perfect in heaven with him, and unite them to their bodies, which cannot be done without their Resurrection. Whereby the Apostle gives another Argument against excessive sorrow for the Saints departed, they shall return from heaven again with Christ at his coming. Others understand it of God the Father, who will raise the dead, and then bring them to his Son, and bring them with him to heaven. Those that read the Text, those that sleep or die for Iesus, and so confine it only to Martyrs, restrain it to too narrow a sence.

As in the former Verse the Apostle made use of the hope of the Resurrection as an Argument against immoderate sorrow, so here he proves the Resurrection by Christs rising again, &c.

Marginal references: 1 Cor 15.13.; 1 Cor. 15 18, 23.