Yes, the pronoun change from 'we' to 'they' is significant, marking a clear distinction between believers (Paul and fellow Christians) and unbelievers left behind for judgment.
In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul uses 'we' to include himself and living believers who will be caught up in the rapture. In chapter 5, the pronoun shifts to 'they' to refer to the unbelieving world that will face sudden destruction. This change reveals Paul's consistent practice of separating believers from unbelievers in his writings.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 — Uses 'we' to include Paul and living believers in the catching up to meet the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 — Uses 'they' for those who say 'peace and safety' and face sudden destruction, contrasting with believers.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, Paul writes, 'For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep... Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.' Here, 'we' clearly refers to Paul and believers alive at the rapture. In 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, the subject changes: 'For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.' The pronouns 'they' and 'them' refer to the unbelieving world that will face destruction.
Les emphasizes that Paul always writes to believers and never includes unbelievers in the pronouns 'we' or 'us'. In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul uses 'we' to identify with believers who will be caught up in the rapture. In chapter 5, he deliberately shifts to 'they' to describe the unbelieving world left behind to face tribulation. This pronoun distinction is a clear example of Paul's pattern of separating the two groups.
Paul uses 'we' to include himself and all living believers at the time of the rapture. He expects to be alive, as shown in the phrase 'we who are alive and remain.' This inclusive pronoun shows that the rapture is for the church, and Paul identifies with them.
Les clarifies that 'they' refers to the unbelieving world, those who are left behind to face the tribulation. They are the ones who say 'Peace and safety' and then experience sudden destruction. This contrasts with believers who are caught up.
Paul consistently uses 'we' and 'us' only for believers. In his letters, he never includes unbelievers in these pronouns. The shift to 'they' in 1 Thessalonians 5 is a clear example of separating the two groups in prophetic events.
Paul's Use of 'Us' for Believers
Les notes that Paul never writes to anyone but believers, so when he uses 'us', he is referring to believers only.
Shift to 'They' in 1 Thessalonians 5
Les points out that when Paul speaks of those left behind to face tribulation, he uses 'they' and 'them', contrasting with believers.
Why God Says Pray About Everything — Philippians 4:6-7
So, I'd like to take you all the way over now to 2 Thessalonians. Well, you might as well stop at 1 Thessalonians on your way. That's just a few pages to the right from where you are in Philippians. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon? No? Yeah, Philippians, Colossians, then Thessalonians. Philemon is further back.
Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen? — 2 Corinthians 1 Explained
1 Thessalonians chapter 1 Yeah, this is the verse I want. 1 Thessalonians, I have to do this quickly we're almost through our 28 minutes. 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 and this is typical of course of every place that Paul ministered. 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 and drop down quickly to verse 9. 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 9.
Paul's Expectation to Be Alive
Paul uses 'we' because he expects to be alive at the rapture, and this includes all believers who are alive.
Rapture as Gathering Unto Christ
The language of 'gathering together unto Him' shows the rapture is distinct from the second coming, and it involves believers.
Reassurance to Believers
Paul reassures believers they haven't missed the rapture, and the 'gathering together' refers to believers being taken to Christ.
Believers Alive and Remaining
Les explains that 'we who are alive and remain' refers to believers, not unbelievers, who will be changed at the rapture.
1 Thessalonians 4:15: For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
Paul includes himself with living believers at the rapture.
1 Thessalonians 4:17: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Confirms the 'we' as believers caught up.
1 Thessalonians 5:2: For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
Introduces the 'day of the Lord' relating to the unbelieving world.
1 Thessalonians 5:3: For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Uses 'they' and 'them' for the unbelieving world facing destruction.
Yes, the change from 'we' to 'they' marks a shift from discussing believers to discussing the unbelieving world. Paul includes himself with believers in the rapture, then uses 'they' for those left behind.
Paul uses 'we' to identify with believers who will be alive at the rapture. He expected to be among them, so he includes himself and all living believers.
'They' refers to the unbelieving world, those who will be left behind to face the tribulation. They will say 'Peace and safety' but then face sudden destruction.
Watch the Teaching: What Does "If God Be for Us" Really Mean? Romans 8:31