23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (ESV)
How are believers in Christ able to carry out the commands contained in I Thessalonians 5:12-21. How are believers in Christ able to obey God’s command contained throughout the Scriptures? Today’s featured text provides the answer. The believer cannot do it in their own strength and resolve. Rather, what is needed is the strength God alone provides.
The Apostles Paul’s statement is prayer like in its tone and texture. He is sincerely invoking God’s name and imploring the Lord to meet the spiritual needs of believers.
The apostle began his prayer by saying, “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely.” Paul called God the God of peace. This is a recurring title for the Lord ((cf. Rom. 15:33; 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:11; Phil. 4:9; 2 Thess. 3:16; Heb. 13:20). Peace (εἰρήνης) refers to tranquility and freedom from worry. Within the context, the term refers to the harmony between God and believers in Christ. This peace is based upon Jesus Christ’s substitutionary atonement on the cross and his redeeming and reconciling work by grace alone through faith alone (Romans 5:1-10).
Paul emphasized God Himself is the One who completely sanctifies the Christian. To sanctify (ἁγιάσαι; hagiasai) means to make holy in everyday living. Sanctify also refers to dedication and consecration The adjective completely (ὁλοτελεῖς; holoteleis) means wholly and totally. God’s sanctifying work impacts the believer’s mind, emotions, and will. In other words, God promises to sanctify the individual’s entire being
Dr. William Hendriksen states, “May this God sanctify you, that is, may he separate you from the life of sin and cause you to be dedicated to him (cf. Rom. 15:16; 1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11; 7:14; Rev. 22:11; see also I Thess. 3:13; 4:3, 7 through and through. This “through and through” (ὁλοτελεῖς, from ὅλος whole, and τέλος end) is a rare word, occurring only here in the New Testament. It is a plural adjective, so that the literal meaning of the word in connection with the noun which it modifies is you whole, that is, “the whole of each of you, every part of each of you.”[1]
Paul continued his prayer as follows: “…and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The apostle mentioned the believer’s whole spirit, soul and body. What did he mean?
Spirit (πνεῦμα; pneuma) refers to an individual’s spiritual nature and inner being. Soul (ψυχὴ; psyche) means a person’s mind, emotions and will. Body (σῶμα; soma) refers to the physical male or female body. Suffice to say these words stress the wholeness and completeness of an individual believer in Christ. God strengthens the believer’s new nature, which in turn impacts the believer’s thinking, emotions and decisions. This affects the believer’s overall physical behavior.
Paul prays God will continually keep (τηρηθείη; teretheie) the entire individual’s being blameless (ἀμέμπτως; amemptos), innocent and guiltless when Jesus Christ returns to earth in power, might and glory.
“Now this process of sanctification occurs during the present life, the life here on earth. Paul expresses a closely related wish which pertains to the judgment day. The two thoughts constitute a unit. He expresses the wish—which has the solemnity of a prayer—that also “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2:19), when others will be sentenced to everlasting damnation for both soul and body (the entire person), the spirit of the believers at Thessalonica (together with all other believers, of course) may be without flaw; indeed that their soul-and-body may be preserved from this terrible condemnation, that is, may be kept blamelessly (2:10; cf. 3:13).” [2]
“He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” On what basis can each believer be confident God will answer Paul’s request on the believer’s behalf; then and now? The Christian’s confidence is not based on the their faithfulness to God but rather His faithfulness to them.
The God who calls (καλῶν; kalon) or sovereignly summons a sinner into a covenant relationship with Him (Rom 8:29-31) is faithful (πιστὸς; pistos). This means the Lord is trustworthy, dependable, committed and honorable to fulfill His promise to strengthen the believer who is in Christ.
As an added emphatic coda, Paul added, “He will surely do it.” There is no uncertainty with God. He keeps His precious promises. May we rest in this confidence of God’s integrity and character.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of I-II Thessalonians, vol. 3, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 141.
[2] Ibid.
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