1 Thessalonians 5:23

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

Αὐτὸς

G846

the very

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

δὲ

G1161

And

but, and, etc

ὁ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸς

G2316

God

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

τῆς

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

εἰρήνης

G1515

of peace

peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity

ἁγιάσαι

G37

sanctify

to make holy, i.e., (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate

ὑμᾶς

G5209

you

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ὁλοτελεῖς

G3651

wholly

complete to the end, i.e., absolutely perfect

#10

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#11

ὁλόκληρον

G3648

whole

complete in every part, i.e., perfectly sound (in body)

#12

ὑμῶν

G5216

I pray God your

of (from or concerning) you

#13

τὸ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#14

πνεῦμα

G4151

spirit

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 prin

#15

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#16

ἡ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#17

ψυχὴ

G5590

soul

breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh

#18

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#19

τὸ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#20

σῶμα

G4983

body

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

#21

ἀμέμπτως

G274

blameless

faultlessly

#22

ἐν

G1722

unto

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

#23

τῇ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#24

παρουσίᾳ

G3952

the coming

a being near, i.e., advent (often, return; specially, of christ to punish jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect

#25

τοῦ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#26

κυρίου

G2962

Lord

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

#27

ἡμῶν

G2257

of our

of (or from) us

#28

Ἰησοῦ

G2424

Jesus

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

#29

Χριστοῦ

G5547

Christ

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

#30

τηρηθείη

G5083

be preserved

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

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing peace contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood peace. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How might the original audience's understanding of peace differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on peace address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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Prayer