It was a happier task for the apostle to write to the Thessalonian saints on the subject of the resurrection than to the Corinthians. The need at Corinth arose from the speculative, free, reasoning intellect of a Greek. The Corinthians opposed difficulties to the mystery of the resurrection, very much in the spirit of a Sadducee. The apostle instructs them, it is true. Surely he did—for his was the pen of the gracious, forbearing and patient Spirit of God. But he answers them with much of righteous rebuke and anger—instructs them with a witness against their own condition of soul (1 Cor. 15). But it is not so in 1 Thess. 4. The Thessalonians were not opposing science of reasoning to the mystery. They were in sorrow because of their sleeping brethren, knowing not what to think of that state, whether they might not lose the coming of Christ for which they on the earth were waiting.
It was wounded and tried affection that appealed to the apostle in them; it was human, carnal reasoning that challenged the apostle in the Corinthians. Therefore the apostle delighted to answer the Thessalonians, and he does so without a single rebuke, but hastens to comfort them, to tell them not to sorrow as if there were no hope respecting them that were sleeping, for that there was no feature of joy or glory that was reserved from them at the coming of Christ that would not be shared by their departed brethren. Jesus would bring them with Him. They would rise from their graves ere anything was done with their brethren who were then living. They would then ascend together with the living to meet the Lord in the air on His descent from heaven. And finally, all, whether quick or asleep, would after that forever be with Jesus.
Here was comfort without the thought of a rebuke. Here was full sympathy without the least resentment. Here was pouring in fresh light and instruction, in the joy of the Teacher for the sake of His disciples. Hope was established in their souls, and more than the breach that was in their spirit was repaired.