1 Thessalonians 5:23

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Complete Jewish Bible:

May the God of shalom make you completely holy — may your entire spirit, soul and body be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.

Berean Standard Bible:

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

American Standard Version:

And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G1161} the very^{G846} God^{G2316} of peace^{G1515} sanctify^{G37} you^{G5209} wholly^{G3651}; and^{G2532} I pray God your^{G5216} whole^{G3648} spirit^{G4151} and^{G2532} soul^{G5590} and^{G2532} body^{G4983} be preserved^{G5083} blameless^{G274} unto^{G1722} the coming^{G3952} of our^{G2257} Lord^{G2962} Jesus^{G2424} Christ^{G5547}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Jude 1:24

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

1 Corinthians 1:8

Who shall also confirm you unto the end, [that ye may be] blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:9

God [is] faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Thessalonians 3:13

To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

1 Peter 5:10

¶ But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you].

Philippians 1:10

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

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Commentary for 1 Thessalonians 5:23

1 Thessalonians 5:23 is part of the Apostle Paul's first letter to the Christian community in Thessalonica, which is located in modern-day Greece. This verse is situated towards the end of the letter, in a section where Paul is offering a series of final exhortations and a prayer for the congregation.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the early days of Christianity, when the newly formed churches were grappling with the practicalities of living out their faith while awaiting the return of Jesus Christ, an event they believed to be imminent. Paul's letters to the Thessalonians address various concerns, including eschatological themes (the study of the end times), moral behavior, and community life.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul expresses a prayerful wish that God, who is described as the source of peace, would completely sanctify the believers. Sanctification here refers to the process of being made holy, of being set apart for God's purposes. The verse emphasizes a holistic approach to this sanctification, encompassing the entirety of the human experience: spirit, soul, and body. This reflects the Jewish understanding of human nature, which does not sharply distinguish between spiritual and physical aspects but sees the person as an integrated whole.

Paul's prayer is that the Thessalonian believers would not only be sanctified but also preserved blameless in all aspects of their being until the second coming of Jesus Christ. This reflects the early Christian hope and expectation for the return of Jesus and the importance of living a life that is beyond reproach in preparation for that day. The verse underscores the themes of holiness, integrity, and preparedness, encouraging believers to live in a way that is consistent with their faith and the imminent return of their Lord.

In summary, 1 Thessalonians 5:23 captures the essence of Paul's pastoral concern for the spiritual well-being of the Thessalonian church. It encapsulates the early Christian desire for comprehensive sanctification and blameless living in anticipation of the eschatological hope of Christ's return, all within the transformative peace that comes from God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
Strong's Number: G2316
There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θεός
Transliteration: theós
Pronunciation: theh'-os
Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Strong's Number: G1515
There are 86 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰρήνη
Transliteration: eirḗnē
Pronunciation: i-ray'-nay
Description: probably from a primary verb (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:--one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.
Strong's Number: G37
There are 4623 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἁγιάζω
Transliteration: hagiázō
Pronunciation: hag-ee-ad'-zo
Description: from ἅγιος; to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate:--hallow, be holy, sanctify.
Strong's Number: G5209
There are 388 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑμᾶς
Transliteration: hymâs
Pronunciation: hoo-mas'
Description: accusative case of ὑμεῖς; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).
Strong's Number: G3651
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὁλοτελής
Transliteration: holotelḗs
Pronunciation: hol-ot-el-ace'
Description: from ὅλος and τέλος; complete to the end, i.e. absolutely perfect:--wholly.
Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Strong's Number: G5216
There are 503 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑμῶν
Transliteration: hymōn
Pronunciation: hoo-mone'
Description: genitive case of ὑμεῖς; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).
Strong's Number: G3648
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὁλόκληρος
Transliteration: holóklēros
Pronunciation: hol'-ok'-lay-ros
Description: from ὅλος and κλῆρος; complete in every part, i.e. perfectly sound (in body):--entire, whole.
Strong's Number: G4151
There are 350 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πνεῦμα
Transliteration: pneûma
Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah
Description: from πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare ψυχή.
Strong's Number: G5590
There are 95 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ψυχή
Transliteration: psychḗ
Pronunciation: psoo-khay'
Description: from ψύχω; breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from πνεῦμα, which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from ζωή, which is mere vitality, even of plants: these terms thus exactly correspond respectively to the Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ, רוּחַ and חַי):--heart (+ -ily), life, mind, soul, + us, + you.
Strong's Number: G4983
There are 122 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σῶμα
Transliteration: sōma
Pronunciation: so'-mah
Description: from σώζω; the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively:--bodily, body, slave.
Strong's Number: G5083
There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τηρέω
Transliteration: tēréō
Pronunciation: tay-reh'-o
Description: from (a watch; perhaps akin to θεωρέω); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from φυλάσσω, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from κουστωδία, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), i.e. to note (a prophecy; figuratively, to fulfil a command); by implication, to detain (in custody; figuratively, to maintain); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried):--hold fast, keep(- er), (pre-, re-)serve, watch.
Strong's Number: G274
There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀμέμπτως
Transliteration: amémptōs
Pronunciation: am-emp'-toce
Description: adverb from ἄμεμπτος; faultlessly:--blameless, unblamably.
Strong's Number: G1722
There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐν
Transliteration: en
Pronunciation: en
Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Strong's Number: G3952
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: παρουσία
Transliteration: parousía
Pronunciation: par-oo-see'-ah
Description: from the present participle of πάρειμι; a being near, i.e. advent (often, return; specially, of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect:--coming, presence.
Strong's Number: G2257
There are 365 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἡμῶν
Transliteration: hēmōn
Pronunciation: hay-mone'
Description: genitive case plural of ἐγώ; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.
Strong's Number: G2962
There are 687 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κύριος
Transliteration: kýrios
Pronunciation: koo'-ree-os
Description: from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.
Strong's Number: G2424
There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
Transliteration: Iēsoûs
Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
Strong's Number: G5547
There are 530 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Χριστός
Transliteration: Christós
Pronunciation: khris-tos'
Description: from χρίω; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.

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