the end of the world. The present tense in both participles is in reference to [i.e. in order to suit] the coming of the Lord itself, as in Acts X. 42 [-ra^'/yg/Xst/ xqpv^ai on avrog Jtfr/v], and elsewhere frequently. Hence Paul has not hereby asserted that the day of Christ is so near ; see 2 Thess. ii. 2, 3. A similar phrase is found at Rom. xiii. 11 ; 1 Cor. xv. 51 ; James v. 9 ; 1 Pet. iv. 5, 6 ; Matt. xxiv. 42, note. — ro\j Kup/ou, of the Lord) Jesus Christ. — ou p) $Qa<fufAfv9 we shall not [prevent] get before or anticipate) This assurance sweetly counteracts the fear of the survivors regarding the dead, and reckons the ad vantage of the former, including himself, not to be greater than that of those who are asleep.
16. Avrbg, Himself) A word of high import. — sv xgXguo/o,ar/, lv <puvy ap^uyyeXM) xai sv tfd\<7riyyi 0soD, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God) A gradation (ascending climax), comprehending three things. — xiXeufl^a is applied, when a multitude is ordered to do something, for example, by a herald. It is not used by the LXX. — a^ayysXou, the archangel) Michael, or some other. The article is not in serted. — kv <rcc/.<T/yy/ 0?ou, with the trumpet of God) and there fore great. — irpurov) previously}
17. " Atua) Ammonious, «,aa [MV effn ^povjxbv gfrippyjfj/a' o/xou 8'i, roKiKov, " a,aa is an adverb of time, o//,ou of place." You see here the propriety of the apostle's language. — stg aepa, in, or rather, [caught up] into the air) The ungodly will remain on the earth. The godly, having been acquitted, will be made assessors in the judgment. — xa/ ourw, and so) When Paul has written what needed to be written for consolation, he treats of [lit. he wraps up] the most important matters in this brief style. — <ravrorf, [ever] always) without any separation. — evv Ku^fy, with the Lord) not only in the air, but in heaven, whence He came. — ho/ada, we shall be) both [the living and those raised from the dead].
18. napaxa>.£/rg aXX^Xoug, comfort one another) in your grief. Comp. also ver. 11.
1 Previously to the act of the living along with the dead saints being caught up. Not, " the dead in Christ shall rise before the other dead" as it is often explained. — ED.