For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep.
As to the charge that Paul is mistaken about his teaching in this verse, we must remember his claim that it is a revelation from the Lord himself: "this I say by the word of the Lord!" To charge Paul with error would be to charge the Lord with error, as well.