1 Thessalonians study section
1 Thessalonians word studies
A handful of Greek words carry the theology of 1 Thessalonians. Tap the speaker next to any word to hear it pronounced.
Key words
παρουσία (parousia) — “Coming, Arrival, Presence”
Usage: 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23
Meaning: A coming, arrival, or presence — used especially of the royal visit or arrival of a king; the technical term for Christ’s return.
Theological Significance: The parousia of the Lord Jesus is the church’s great hope, appearing at the close of every chapter. Christ’s personal, visible return to gather His people and complete their salvation orients the whole Christian life (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; Matthew 24:27).
ἁγιασμός (hagiasmos) — “Sanctification, Holiness”
Usage: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, 7; 5:23
Meaning: Sanctification, holiness, being set apart for God and made holy.
Theological Significance: “This is the will of God, your sanctification.” God calls His people not to impurity but to holiness, and He Himself sanctifies them completely, keeping them blameless for Christ’s coming (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; Hebrews 12:14).
ἀγάπη (agapē) — “Love”
Usage: 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9-10; 5:8, 13
Meaning: Self-giving love that seeks the good of others.
Theological Significance: Paul commends the Thessalonians’ agapē and prays it will “increase and abound.” Taught by God to love one another, believers show the reality of their faith through practical, growing love within the family of God (1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9; John 13:35).
ἐλπίς (elpis) — “Hope”
Usage: 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 4:13; 5:8
Meaning: Hope — confident expectation of future good, grounded in God’s promise.
Theological Significance: Christian elpis is not wishful thinking but sure expectation, rooted in Christ’s resurrection and return. It enables believers to grieve “not as others do who have no hope” and to stand firm as “children of light” (1 Thessalonians 4:13; 5:8; Romans 5:2-5).
κοιμάω (koimaō) — “To Sleep, Fall Asleep”
Usage: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15
Meaning: To sleep; used figuratively of the death of believers.
Theological Significance: Death for the Christian is called “sleep,” for it is not the end but a rest from which they will be awakened at Christ’s return. Because Jesus rose, believers who “sleep” will rise, and this transforms grief into hope (1 Thessalonians 4:14; John 11:11-13; 1 Corinthians 15:20).
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