The Gospel of Jesus Christ
1 and 2 Thessalonians
Timothy Andrew from the Lord’s Library catalogues, using the King James Version of the Bible and his own commentary, verses and passages from across the New Testament that detail how one is justified and saved via the blood of Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:14
To gain a 1 Thessalonians 4:14 meaning, see the verse: "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." This verse encapsulates the core truth of the Gospel of Jesus—that salvation is by grace through faith in the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross.
Paul reassures the Thessalonian believers that as Christ was raised from the dead, so too will those who died in Him be resurrected and brought with Him at His return. The foundation of this promise is faith in Christ’s atoning death and victorious resurrection, which secures eternal life for all who believe. As it is written!
The phrase "if we believe that Jesus died and rose again" points directly to the Gospel message as defined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
The death of Christ was not just an example of sacrificial love; it was a substitutionary atonement for sin. See Romans 5:8: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." His resurrection is the ultimate confirmation that He had conquered sin and death on behalf of those who believe. See next Romans 4:25: "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
We do not achieve justification—being declared righteous before God—through religious deeds; God grants it solely through faith in Christ’s finished work.
Paul then states, "even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." The term "sleep" is often used in Scripture to describe the physical death of believers. This signifies that death is not the end for those in Christ, but a temporary state before resurrection.
Jesus Himself used this language in John 11:11 when referring to Lazarus: "These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep." This echoes the promise that those who have died in Christ are not lost but will be raised at His coming. See 1 Corinthians 15:20-22: "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
Adam’s sin brought death upon all future humanity, but through Christ's Blood Atonement, all who believe are gifted eternal life.
The phrase "will God bring with him" refers to the second coming of Christ, when believers who have died will be resurrected and gathered together with those who are alive at His coming. This is further explained in the next verses, particularly 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
This event (the rapture) demonstrates the full realization of salvation, as God not only saves believers from sin but also from death itself, giving them glorified bodies to dwell eternally with Christ.
This promise is rooted in the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, apart from works. This can be seen clearly in Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." As one can see, salvation is entirely a gift from God, secured through Christ’s death and resurrection, and not dependent on religious works.
Therefore, Paul speaks with certainty, knowing that all who have placed their faith in Christ are eternally secure. Romans 8:38-39 offers further reinforcement: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
The believer’s salvation is secure because it rests not on their own deeds, but on Christ’s perfect and completed work on the Cross, as it is written. Christ’s resurrection guarantees the believer’s resurrection. See John 14:19: "Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also."
The hope of eternal life is grounded in Christ’s triumph over death as explained in the Gospel. See next Philippians 3:20-21: "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
To gain a 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 meaning, see the verses: "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."
This passage showcases the truth: that salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, received through faith in the Finished Work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Paul expresses gratitude to God for the Thessalonian believers, recognizing that salvation is not a result of their own religious works, but is rooted in God's eternal purpose which is brought to fruition through faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The phrase "God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation" reveals the divine initiative in salvation. Before the foundation of the world, God purposed to save those who would believe in Jesus Christ. See Ephesians 1:4-5: "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,"
God's choosing is based solely on His sovereign grace, making it clear that salvation is a gift, not something earned. Titus 3:5 reinforces this: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"
These verses explain two essential aspects of salvation: the work of the Holy Spirit and faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sanctification by the Spirit refers to the divine work of setting believers apart for God, bringing them from spiritual death to eternal life. Jesus Himself spoke of this in John 3:5-6: "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
The Spirit convicts the world of sin, draws sinners to Christ, and regenerates them upon belief in the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. See John 16:8 and John 6:44:
John 16:8: "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:"
John 6:44: "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
Belief in the Finished Work of Christ is not just an intellectual assent, but a heart trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, as can be seen in Romans 10:9: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
Paul's call to salvation comes through the preaching of the Gospel. See Romans 10:17: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." The Good News—the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes. See 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and Romans 1:16:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4: "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"
Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
This call is universal, as 1 Timothy 2:4 affirms that God "will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." However, only those who respond in faith receive the salvation freely offered in Christ.
The ultimate purpose of salvation is "the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." Believers are not only saved from sin and its penalty but are also destined to share in Christ’s glory in heaven. See Romans 8:17: "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
This future glorification is secured by God's promise, according to Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"
Timothy Andrew is the founder of Lord’s Library. He believes the Bible commands us to minister “as of the ability which God giveth” (1 Peter 4:11). Tim aspires to be as The Lord’s mouth by “taking forth the precious from the vile” (Jeremiah 15:19) and witnessing The Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4) to the whole world.