How should believers sorrow for loved ones who have died according to Paul?
Paul teaches that believers should not sorrow over loved ones who have died as others who have no hope. Though believers experience the loss of parents, relatives, and friends, their grief must not be like pagans, who fall apart, scream, weep, and wail because they have no concept of what lies beyond death.
Les explains that in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Paul uses almost the same language he used in 1 Corinthians 15, saying he would not have believers be ignorant concerning those who are asleep, meaning those who have died physical death. Paul is the first one to reveal it, so he brings them out of ignorance. He recognizes that when a pagan or lost person who has no concept of what is out there loses a loved one, they fall apart, scream, weep, and wail at a funeral. Believers, however, are told to sorrow not even as others who have no hope, even though every one of us has experienced the loss of loved ones, parents, next of kin, and friends.
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
More Questions
Why did Paul say believers should know about those who have fallen asleep?
Paul wants believers to learn and understand the truth about those who have died so that they will not sorrow like people who have no hope.