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1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thess. 4:17 KJV (With Strong’s)

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17
Then
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
epeita (Greek #1899)
thereafter
KJV usage: after that(-ward), then.
Pronounce: ep'-i-tah
Origin: from 1909 and 1534
we
hemeis (Greek #2249)
we (only used when emphatic)
KJV usage: us, we (ourselves).
Pronounce: hay-mice'
Origin: nominative plural of 1473
which are alive
zao (Greek #2198)
to live (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick.
Pronounce: dzah'-o
Origin: a primary verb
and remain
perileipo (Greek #4035)
to leave all around, i.e. (passively) survive
KJV usage: remain.
Pronounce: per-ee-li'-po
Origin: from 4012 and 3007
shall be caught up
harpazo (Greek #726)
to seize (in various applications)
KJV usage: catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).
Pronounce: har-pad'-zo
Origin: from a derivative of 138
together
hama (Greek #260)
properly, at the "same" time, but freely used as a preposition or adverb denoting close association
KJV usage: also, and, together, with(-al).
Pronounce: ham'-ah
Origin: a primary particle
with
sun (Greek #4862)
with or together (but much closer than 3326 or 3844), i.e. by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.
KJV usage: beside, with. In composition it has similar applications, including completeness.
Pronounce: soon
Origin: a primary preposition denoting union
them
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
q the clouds
nephele (Greek #3507)
properly, cloudiness, i.e. (concretely) a cloud
KJV usage: cloud.
Pronounce: nef-el'-ay
Origin: from 3509
, to
eis (Greek #1519)
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
KJV usage: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
Pronounce: ice
Origin: a primary preposition
meet
apantesis (Greek #529)
a (friendly) encounter
KJV usage: meet.
Pronounce: ap-an'-tay-sis
Origin: from 528
the Lord
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
kurios (Greek #2962)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
KJV usage: God, Lord, master, Sir.
Pronounce: koo'-ree-os
Origin: from κῦρος (supremacy)
in
eis (Greek #1519)
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
KJV usage: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
Pronounce: ice
Origin: a primary preposition
the air
aer (Greek #109)
"air" (as naturally circumambient)
KJV usage: air. Compare 5594.
Pronounce: ah-ayr'
Origin: from ἄημι (to breathe unconsciously, i.e. respire; by analogy, to blow)
: and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
so
houto (Greek #3779)
in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)
KJV usage: after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.
Pronounce: hoo'-to
Origin: οὕτως (hoo'-toce) adverb from 3778
shall we
esomai (Greek #2071)
will be
KJV usage: shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), X may have, X fall, what would follow, X live long, X sojourn.
Pronounce: es'-om-ahee
Origin: future of 1510
ever
pantote (Greek #3842)
every when, i.e. at all times
KJV usage: alway(-s), ever(-more).
Pronounce: pan'-tot-eh
Origin: from 3956 and 3753
be
esomai (Greek #2071)
will be
KJV usage: shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), X may have, X fall, what would follow, X live long, X sojourn.
Pronounce: es'-om-ahee
Origin: future of 1510
r with
sun (Greek #4862)
with or together (but much closer than 3326 or 3844), i.e. by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.
KJV usage: beside, with. In composition it has similar applications, including completeness.
Pronounce: soon
Origin: a primary preposition denoting union
the Lord
kurios (Greek #2962)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
KJV usage: God, Lord, master, Sir.
Pronounce: koo'-ree-os
Origin: from κῦρος (supremacy)
.
q
Rev. 11:12• 12And I heard a loud voice out of the heaven saying to them, Come up hither. And they went up to the heaven in the cloud; and their enemies beheld them. (Rev. 11:12)
r
John 14:3• 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again, and will receive you unto myself, that where I am ye also may be. (John 14:3)

More on:

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Air,
Cloud,
Rapture of the Saints

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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we which.
1 Thess. 4:15• 15For this we say to you in [the] word of [the] Lord, that we, the living that remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede those put to sleep; (1 Thess. 4:15)
;
1 Cor. 15:52• 52in an instant, in [the] twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for it shall sound, and the dead shall rise incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Cor. 15:52)
caught.
1 Kings 18:12•  (1 Kings 18:12)
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2 Kings 2:11,16•  (2 Kings 2:11,16)
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Acts 8:39• 39But when they came up out of the water, [the] Spirit of [the] Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8:39)
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2 Cor. 12:2‑4• 2I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not: God knoweth), such an one caught up to the third heaven.
 3And I know such a man (whether in the body or without the body, I know not: God knoweth),
 4how that he was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words which [it is] not lawful for a man to utter. (2 Cor. 12:2‑4)
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Rev. 11:12• 12And I heard a loud voice out of the heaven saying to them, Come up hither. And they went up to the heaven in the cloud; and their enemies beheld them. (Rev. 11:12)
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Rev. 12:5• 5And she brought forth a male son, who is to rule all the nations with an iron rod: and her child was caught up to God, and to his throne. (Rev. 12:5)
in the.
Matt. 26:64• 64{i}Jesus says to him, Thou hast said. Moreover, I say to you, From henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.{/i} (Matt. 26:64)
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Mark 14:62• 62{i}And Jesus said,{/i} I am, and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. (Mark 14:62)
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Acts 1:9• 9And having said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud withdrew him from their eyes. (Acts 1:9)
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Rev. 1:7• 7Behold, he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, and those which pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall wail on account of him. Yea, Amen. (Rev. 1:7)
and so.
Psa. 16:11•  (Psa. 16:11)
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Psa. 17:15•  (Psa. 17:15)
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Psa. 49:15•  (Psa. 49:15)
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Psa. 73:24•  (Psa. 73:24)
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Isa. 35:10•  (Isa. 35:10)
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Isa. 60:19‑20•  (Isa. 60:19‑20)
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John 12:26• 26If anyone serve me, let him follow me, and where I am, there also my servant shall be; if anyone serve me, him will my Father honour. (John 12:26)
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John 14:3• 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again, and will receive you unto myself, that where I am ye also may be. (John 14:3)
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John 17:24• 24Father, that what thou hast given me, I desire that, where I am, they also may be with me, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me, because thou lovedst me before [the] world’s foundation. (John 17:24)
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2 Cor. 5:8• 8we are confident and well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. (2 Cor. 5:8)
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Phil. 1:23• 23But I am perplexed by the two, having the desire for departing and being with Christ, for it is very far better; (Phil. 1:23)
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2 Peter 3:13• 13But according to his promise we wait for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13)
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Rev. 7:14‑17• 14And I said to him, My lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they that come out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
 15Therefore are they before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall tabernacle over them.
 16They shall hunger no more neither thirst any more nor in any wise shall the sun fall upon them nor any heat.
 17For the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall tend them and shall lead them to fountains of waters of life, and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Rev. 7:14‑17)
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Rev. 21:3‑7,22‑23• 3And I heard a loud voice out of the throne, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God {i}is{/i} with men, and he shall tabernacle with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, their God.
 4And [God] shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, and no mourning nor crying nor pain shall be any more: for the first things have passed away.
 5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith [to me], Write: for these words are faithful and true.
 6And he said to me, They are done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To him that is athirst I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely.
 7He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be God to him, and he shall be a son to me.
 22And I saw no temple in it: for the Lord God the Almighty is the temple of it, and the Lamb.
 23And the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon, that they should shine on it: for the glory of God illumined it, and the Lamb {i}is{/i} the lamp of it. (Rev. 21:3‑7,22‑23)
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Rev. 22:3‑5• 3And there shall be no more curse: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him,
 4and shall see his face; and his name {i}shall be{/i} on their foreheads.
 5And there shall be no night [there] and no need of lamp and sunlight; for the Lord God will illumine them: and they shall reign unto the ages of the ages. (Rev. 22:3‑5)
• The translation of all the changed saints is simultaneous. The grief of such as doubted the full blessedness of those meanwhile put to sleep was really ignorance and unbelief; for even if they could not anticipate the fresh revelation from the Lord, they ought, from their divinely given knowledge of His love and of His redemption, to have counted on His grace towards the dead saints no less than towards the living. (“On 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18” by W. Kelly)
• the resurrection of the sleeping saints is called a resurrection out of, or from among, the dead; which could not be said of the resurrection of the wicked, for they leave no more to be raised. Thus both classes are raised separately, and the traditional idea of one general resurrection of the dead-is fictitious. Dan. 12 speaks of a resuscitation of Israel, Matt. 25 of the Lord's judgment of the nations: neither refers to the literally dead. (“On 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18” by W. Kelly)
• We leave the earth precisely as He left it. This is very precious. There is this difference: He went up in His own full right, He ascended; as to us, His voice calls the dead, and they come forth from the grave, and, the living being changed, all are caught up together. (“1 Thessalonians 4” by J.N. Darby)
• The proper expectation of the Christian is entirely separated from all which follows the manifestation of Christ and which is in connection with the government of this world. (“1 Thessalonians 4” by J.N. Darby)
• There is no such thing in scripture as a resurrection of all men together. Of all things resurrection separates most distinctly….Dan. 12 speaks of a resuscitation of Israel, Matt. 25 of the Lord's judgment of the nations: neither refers to the literally dead. (“On 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18” by W. Kelly)
• Death is not the Bridegroom, but merely a servant (for all things are ours) for ushering us, absent from the body, to be present with the Lord. But here it is no mere individual going after dying to Him, but His coming, the Conqueror of death, for us all, whether sleeping or waking, that we may be changed into His glorious image even in the body. (“On 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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17
then *we*, the living who remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we shall be always with the Lord.

W. Kelly Translation

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17
then we, the living that remain, shall be caught up together with them in clouds to meet [the] Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.