1 Thessalonians 5 · Verse 10

1 Thessalonians 5:10

Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1 Thessalonians 5:10, King James Version

1 Thessalonians 5:10 in other translations

BSBHe died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.
WEBwho died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
ASVwho died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
YLTwho did die for us, that whether we wake--whether we sleep--together with him we may live;
DARBYwho has died for us, that whether we may be watching or sleep, we may live together with him.
BBEWho was put to death for us, so that, awake or sleeping, we may have a part in his life.
WebsterWho died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

What does 1 Thessalonians 5:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
10. died for us--Greek, "in our behalf." whether we wake or sleep--whether we be found at Christ's coming awake, that is, alive, or asleep, that is, in our graves. together--all of us together; the living not preceding the dead in their glorification "with Him" at His coming (1Th 4:13).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 10. Who died for us. That is, to redeem us. He designed by his death that we should ultimately live with him; and this effect of his death could be secured only as it was an atoning sacrifice.

Whether we wake or sleep. Whether we are found among the living or the dead when he comes. The object here is to show that the cone class would have no advantage over the other. This was designed to calm their minds in their trials, and to correct an error which seems to have prevailed in the belief that those who were found alive when he should return, would have some priority over those who were dead. 1Thes 4:13 and following. The word rendered "together", αμα is not to be regarded as connected with the phrase "with him" -- as meaning that he and they would be "together" but it refers to those who "wake and those who sleep"-- those who are alive and those who are dead--meaning that they would be together, or would be with the Lord at the same time; there would be no priority or precedence. Rosenmuller.

(d) "whether we wake or sleep" Rom 14:8,9, 2Cor 5:15

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 10 Who died for us - His death was an atoning sacrifice for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews. Whether we wake or sleep - Whether we live or die, whether we are in this state or in the other world, we shall live together with him-shall enjoy his life, and the consolations of his Spirit, while here; and shall be glorified together with him in the eternal world. The words show that every where and in all circumstances genuine believers, who walk after God, have life and communion with him, and are continually happy, and constantly safe. The apostle, however, may refer to the doctrine he has delivered, 1Thes 4:15, concerning the dead in Christ rising first; and the last generation of men not dying, but undergoing such a change as shall render them immortal. On that great day, all the followers of God, both those who had long slept in the dust of the earth, and all those who shall be found living, shall be acknowledged by Christ as his own, and live together for ever with him.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5:6-11

Most of mankind do not consider the things of another world at all, because they are asleep; or they do not consider them aright, because they sleep and dream. Our moderation as to all earthly things should be known to all men. Shall Christians, who have the light of the blessed gospel shining in their faces, be careless about their souls, and unmindful of another world? We need the spiritual armour, or the three…

Read the full comment on 1 Thessalonians 5:6-11 →

1 Thessalonians 5:10 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

τοῦtouthe [One who]G3588
ἀποθανόντοςapothanontoshaving diedG599
ὑπὲρhuperforG5228
ἡμῶν,hēmōnus,G3165
ἵναinaso thatG2443
εἴτεeitewhetherG1535
γρηγορῶμενgrēgorōmenwe shall watchG1127
εἴτεeiteorG1535
καθεύδωμενkatheudōmenwe shall sleepG2518
ἅμαhamatogetherG260
σὺνsunwithG4862
αὐτῷautōHimG846
ζήσωμεν.¶zēsōmenwe may live.G2198

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 5:10

  • Romans 14:8-9

    For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

  • 1 Peter 3:18

    For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

  • 2 Corinthians 5:15

    And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

  • Ephesians 5:2

    And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

  • Matthew 20:28

    Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

    For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:17

    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.

  • 1 Peter 2:24

    Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

  • John 15:13

    Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

  • Titus 2:14

    Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

  • Romans 5:6-8

    For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

  • Romans 8:34

    Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
died.
Mt 20:28; Joh 10:11,15,17; 15:13; Ro 5:6-8; 8:34; 14:8,9; 1Co 15:3
2Co 5:15,21; Eph 5:2; 1Ti 2:6; Tit 2:14; 1Pe 2:24; 3:18
whether.
4:13,17

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:9

    For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:10

    Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:11

    Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 5

1 Thessalonians 5:10 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El cual murió por nosotros, para que ó que velemos, ó que durmamos, vivamos juntamente con él.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		qui est mort pour nous, afin que, soit que nous veillions, soit que nous dormions, nous vivions ensemble avec lui.
German
Elberfelder 1871		der für uns gestorben ist, auf daß wir, sei es daß wir wachen oder schlafen, zusammen mit ihm leben.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		qui mortuus est pro nobis: ut sive vigilemus, sive dormiamus, simul cum illo vivamus.