1 Thessalonians 4:13

We would not have (ou qelomen). We do not wish. You ignorant (uma agnoein). Old word, not to know (a privative, gno-, root of ginwskw). No advantage in ignorance of itself. Concerning them that fall asleep (peri twn koimwmenwn). Present passive (or middle) participle (Aleph B) rather than the perfect passive kekoimhmenwn of many later MSS. From old koimaw, to put to sleep. Present tense gives idea of repetition, from time to time fall asleep. Greeks and Romans used this figure of sleep for death as Jesus does ( John 11:11 ) and N.T. generally (cf. our word cemetery). Somehow the Thessalonians had a false notion about the dead in relation to the second coming. Even as the rest which have no hope (kaqw oi loipoi oi mh econte elpida). This picture of the hopelessness of the pagan world about the future life is amply illustrated in ancient writings and particularly by inscriptions on tombs (Milligan). Some few pagans clung to this hope, but most had none.