1 Thessalonians 5:24
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Paul's assurance of divine faithfulness completing sanctification comforted persecuted Thessalonians tempted toward discouragement. Would persecution prevent sanctification? Would martyrdom interrupt God's work? Paul answers: God who called you will complete His work, whether through long life of gradual sanctification or immediate glorification at death/rapture. This confidence sustained early Christians facing martyrdom—death couldn't thwart God's purposes. Throughout church history, believers facing impossible circumstances (persecution, slavery, poverty, illness) have clung to God's faithfulness: He who called us will complete His work, regardless of circumstances.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's faithfulness ('faithful is he that calleth you') provide assurance when your own faithfulness wavers?
- What does 'who also will do it' teach about the relationship between God's sovereign work and your responsible effort in sanctification?
- How does confidence in God's completing what He began affect your perseverance through trials threatening your sanctification?
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Analysis & Commentary
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it—pistos ho kalōn hymas, hos kai poiēsei (πιστὸς ὁ καλῶν ὑμᾶς, ὃς καὶ ποιήσει, 'faithful is the one calling you, who also will do it'). Pistos (πιστός, 'faithful') describes God's trustworthy character—He keeps promises, completes what He begins. Ho kalōn hymas (ὁ καλῶν ὑμᾶς, 'the one calling you,' present participle)—God's calling isn't merely past event but continuing reality. Hos kai poiēsei (ὃς καὶ ποιήσει, 'who also will do it')—God will complete the sanctification He began.
This verse provides assurance: sanctification (v. 23) isn't achieved through human effort alone but through God's faithful work. He who called us to salvation will sanctify us completely. This echoes Philippians 1:6: 'He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.' Perseverance doesn't depend ultimately on human faithfulness (which wavers) but divine faithfulness (which never fails). God's calling guarantees completion—not because we're capable but because He's faithful. This doesn't excuse human responsibility (vv. 14-22) but grounds it in divine enabling. We pursue holiness confident that God empowers and completes what He commands.