Although the formula, “Now about …” (peri de), which sometimes appears to have marked Paul’s answers to questions (see disc. on 4:9) does not occur, 4:13–18 is probably his answer to a question about the fate of deceased believers. From the teaching the missionaries gave while they were still with them, the Thessalonians would have known the general eschatological scenario that Paul unfolds in these verses, but at least some of them were still unsure where the Christian dead fitted into it. They may have understood that all believers would live to see the Parousia; and, now that some had died, they were anxious for their sake. Would they be disadvantaged? Or worse, would they be disqualified from sharing in the glory of that day? Paul answers that question in verse 17.

But one thing lead…