4:13-15 Fallen Asleep In these verses, when Paul talks about people who have died, but he uses the euphemistic phrase “fallen asleep” (see the NLT footnote). Paul used this phrase to emphasize the temporary nature of death for those who believe. As Jesus said, “The time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, and they will rise again” (John 5:28-29).