1 Thessalonians 5:23
WEB
May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
BSB
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.
KJV
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.
Matthew Henry
Greek interlinear
G846
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
Derivation: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of G109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward);
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV: 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 G848.
See also: G109, G1438, G848.
G1161
also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English)
Derivation: a primary particle (adversative or continuative);
but, and, etc.
KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
G3588
the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc
, including the feminine ἡ , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;
Derivation: the definite article;
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
G2316
X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward)
Derivation: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity;
figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
See also: G3588.
G1515
one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again
Derivation: probably from a primary verb εἴρω (to join);
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
KJV: one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.
G37
hallow, be holy, sanctify
Derivation: from G40;
to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate
KJV: hallow, be holy, sanctify.
See also: G40.
G4771
thou
Derivation: the personal pronoun of the second person singular;
thou
KJV: thou.
See also G4571, G4671, G4675; and for the plural G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.
See also: G4675, G4571, G4671, G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.
G3651
wholly
Derivation: from G3650 and G5056;
complete to the end, i.e. absolutely perfect
KJV: wholly.
See also: G3650, G5056.
G2532
and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet
Derivation: 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
KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
G3648
entire, whole
Derivation: from G3650 and G2819;
complete in every part, i.e. perfectly sound (in body)
KJV: entire, whole.
See also: G3650, G2819.
G4151
ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind
Derivation: from G4154;
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
KJV: ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind.
Compare G5590.
See also: G4154, G5590.
G5590
heart (+ -ily), life, mind, soul, + us, + you
Derivation: from G5594;
breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from G4151, which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from G2222, which is mere vitality, even of plants: these terms thus exactly correspond respectively to the Hebrew H5315, H7307 and H2416)
KJV: heart (+ -ily), life, mind, soul, + us, + you.
See also: G5594, G4151, G2222, H5315, H7307, H2416.
G4983
bodily, body, slave
Derivation: from G4982;
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
KJV: bodily, body, slave.
See also: G4982.
G274
blameless, unblamably
Derivation: adverb from G273;
faultlessly
KJV: blameless, unblamably.
See also: G273.
G1722
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)
Derivation: 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 G1519 and G1537);
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV: 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.
See also: G1519, G1537.
G3952
coming, presence
Derivation: from the present participle of G3918;
a being near, i.e. advent (often, return; specially, of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect
KJV: coming, presence.
See also: G3918.
G2962
God, Lord, master, Sir
Derivation: from κῦρος (supremacy);
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
KJV: God, Lord, master, Sir.
G1473
I, me
Derivation: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic)
KJV: I, me.
For the other cases and the plural see G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257, etc.
See also: G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257.
G2424
Jesus
Derivation: of Hebrew origin (H3091);
Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
KJV: Jesus.
See also: H3091.
G5547
Christ
Derivation: from G5548;
anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
KJV: Christ.
See also: G5548.
G5083
hold fast, keep(- er), (pre-, re-)serve, watch
Derivation: from τερός (a watch;
perhaps akin to G2334); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from G5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from G2892, 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)
KJV: hold fast, keep(- er), (pre-, re-)serve, watch.
See also: G2334, G5442, G2892.
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Verses 23–28
1 Thessalonians 5:23–28
In these words, which conclude this epistle, observe,
I. Paul's prayer for them, Th1 5:23. He had told them, in the beginning of this epistle, that he always made mention of them in his prayers; and, now that he is writing to them, he lifts up his heart to God in prayer for them. Take notice, 1. To whom the apostle prays, namely, The very God of peace. He is the God of grace, and the God of peace and love. He is the author of peace and lover of concord; and by their peaceableness and unity, from God as the author, those things would best be obtained which he prays for. 2. The things he prays for on behalf of the Thessalonians are their sanctification, that God would sanctify them wholly; and their preservation, that they might be preserved blameless. He prays that they may be wholly sanctified, that the whole man may be sanctified, and then that the whole man, spirit, soul, and body, may be preserved: or, he prays that they may be wholly sanctified, that is, more perfectly, for the best are sanctified but in part while in this world; and therefore we should pray for and press towards complete sanctification. Where the good work of grace is begun, it shall be carried on, be protected and preserved; and all those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus shall be preserved to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. And because, if God did not carry on his good work in the soul, it would miscarry, we should pray to God to perfect his work, and preserve us blameless, free from sin and impurity, till at length we are presented faultless before the throne of his glory with exceeding joy.
II. His comfortable assurance that God would hear his prayer: Faithful is he who calleth you, who will also do it, Th1 5:24. The kindness and love of God had appeared to them in calling them to the knowledge of his truth, and the faithfulness of God was their security that they should persevere to the end; and therefore, the apostle assures them, God would do what he desired; he would effect what he had promised; he would accomplish all the good pleasure of his goodness towards them. Note, Our fidelity to God depends upon his faithfulness to us.
III. His request of their prayers: Brethren, pray for us, Th1 5:25. We should pray for one another; and brethren should thus express brotherly love. This great apostle did not think it beneath him to call the Thessalonians brethren, nor to request their prayers. Ministers stand in need of their people's prayers; and the more people pray for their ministers the more good ministers may have from God, and the more benefit people may receive by their ministry.
IV. His salutation: Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss, Th1 5:26. Thus the apostle sends a friendly salutation from himself, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, and would have them salute each other in their names; and thus he would have them signify their mutual love and affection to one another by the kiss of charity (Pe1 5:14), which is here called a holy kiss, to intimate how cautious they should be of all impurity in the use of this ceremony, then commonly practised; as it should not be a treacherous kiss like that of Judas, so not a lascivious kiss like that of the harlot, Pro 7:13.
V. His solemn charge for the reading of this epistle, Th1 5:27. This is not only an exhortation, but an adjuration by the Lord. And this epistle was to be read to all the holy brethren. It is not only allowed to the common people to read the scriptures, and what none should prohibit, but it is their indispensable duty, and what they should be persuaded to do. In order to this, these holy oracles should not be kept concealed in an unknown tongue, but translated into the vulgar languages, that all men, being concerned to know the scriptures, may be able to read them, and be acquainted with them. The public reading of the law was one part of the worship of the sabbath among the Jews in their synagogues, and the scriptures should be read in the public assemblies of Christians also.
VI. The apostolical benediction that is usual in other epistles: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen, Th1 5:28. We need no more to make us happy than to know that grace which our Lord Jesus Christ has manifested, be interested in that grace which he has purchased, and partake of that grace which dwells in him as the head of the church. This is an ever-flowing and overflowing fountain of grace to supply all our wants.
Cross-references: 1Thess 5:23 · 1Thess 5:24 · 1Thess 5:25 · 1Thess 5:26 · 1Pet 5:14 · Prov 7:13 · 1Thess 5:27 · 1Thess 5:28