What does 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 mean?

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (KJV) reads: "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." It sits in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, a piece of pastoral letter on hope and the return of Christ from the New Testament, and is most often read as a verse about sympathy. The meaning sharpens when you read the verses immediately around it and notice how 1 Thessalonians as a whole is arguing its case.

What is the context of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 in 1 Thessalonians?

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 belongs to 1 Thessalonians 4, which fits inside 1 Thessalonians's wider message as pastoral letter on hope and the return of Christ. Before applying the verse, read at least the paragraph it appears in so you can see who is speaking, who is being addressed, and what situation prompted the words.

Is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 from the Old or New Testament?

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 is from the New Testament — specifically the book of 1 Thessalonians, chapter 4. That matters because New Testament verses are written after the resurrection and speak directly into the life of the church under the new covenant.

What translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 is used here?

Every verse on Bible Sundays is quoted from the King James Version (KJV), the public-domain English translation first published in 1611. We use the KJV consistently so the wording you memorise on one page matches the wording on every other page of the site.

How can I memorise 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14?

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 aloud three times, write it out by hand once, then try to recite it from memory. Repeat morning and evening for a week. Pair it with the theme of sympathy so your mind has a natural retrieval cue. Reviewing on day 1, day 3, day 7 and day 30 locks it in for the long term.

How should I apply 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 today?

Identify one specific situation in the next 24 hours — a conversation, a decision, a fear, a temptation around sympathy — where 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 should change your response. Pray the verse back to God for that situation, then act on it. Application is what turns reading into obedience.

Sympathy Card Verse

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 for Sympathy Cards

A free, printable, share-ready KJV card verse. Pick a theme, download as a high-resolution image, or copy the text for handwritten cards.

For Sympathy

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

King James Versionbiblesundays.com

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Why 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 works for sympathy cards

Offers resurrection hope — particularly meaningful for Christian families.

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."

Read 1 Thessalonians 4 (KJV) →

How to use this sympathy card

Pick a theme above that matches the recipient's taste — botanical for weddings and showers, midnight for solemn occasions, kraft for rustic.
Download the PNG at 1200×1500 — Pinterest-optimized and high enough resolution for printing on standard 5×7 cardstock.
Send digitally via text, email, or social, or print and pair with a handwritten note inside.
Reference the chapter — readers often want to look up the surrounding context. Tap the link above to read 1 Thessalonians 4 in the KJV.

More Sympathy card verses

Psalm 34:18

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."

Revelation 21:4

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain."

Psalm 23:4

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

Matthew 5:4

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."

John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Romans 8:28

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Isaiah 41:10

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation."

See all 14 sympathy card verses →