1 Thessalonians 5:23
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.
Original Language Analysis
Αὐτὸς
the very
G846
Αὐτὸς
the very
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
1 of 30
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
4 of 30
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰρήνης
of peace
G1515
εἰρήνης
of peace
Strong's:
G1515
Word #:
6 of 30
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
ἁγιάσαι
sanctify
G37
ἁγιάσαι
sanctify
Strong's:
G37
Word #:
7 of 30
to make holy, i.e., (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁλόκληρον
whole
G3648
ὁλόκληρον
whole
Strong's:
G3648
Word #:
11 of 30
complete in every part, i.e., perfectly sound (in body)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεῦμα
spirit
G4151
πνεῦμα
spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
14 of 30
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχὴ
soul
G5590
ψυχὴ
soul
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
17 of 30
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῶμα
body
G4983
σῶμα
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
20 of 30
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρουσίᾳ
the coming
G3952
παρουσίᾳ
the coming
Strong's:
G3952
Word #:
24 of 30
a being near, i.e., advent (often, return; specially, of christ to punish jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
Lord
G2962
κυρίου
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
26 of 30
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
28 of 30
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Cross References
Jude 1:24Now 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 4:12For 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 Peter 5:10But 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.1 Thessalonians 3:13To 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 1:2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.Philippians 1:10That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;Philippians 1:6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:Leviticus 20:8And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.Hebrews 2:11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,2 Peter 3:14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Historical Context
Paul concludes with prayer for comprehensive sanctification—not partial reform but total transformation affecting spirit (relationship with God), soul (mind, emotions, will), and body (physical actions). This holistic soteriology contrasts with Greek dualism (which despised body, exalted spirit) and modern reductionism (which denies spirit, exalts body/mind). Biblical anthropology sees humans as unified beings—spirit/soul/body integrally related, all needing redemption. Sanctification must address the whole person, preparing entirely for Christ's return. This prayer summarizes the letter's theology: God sanctifies (divine work, v. 23) believers who pursue holiness (human responsibility, vv. 14-22).
Questions for Reflection
- What does sanctification affecting 'spirit and soul and body' teach about holiness's comprehensive scope?
- How do you pursue sanctification of your whole person (not just external behavior or internal thoughts alone)?
- What does 'preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord' teach about sanctification's goal and motivation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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—autos de ho Theos tēs eirēnēs hagiasai hymas holoteleis, kai holoklēron hymōn to pneuma kai hē psychē kai to sōma amemptōs en tē parousia tou Kyriou hēmōn Iēsou Christou tērētheiē (αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἁγιάσαι ὑμᾶς ὁλοτελεῖς, καὶ ὁλόκληρον ὑμῶν τὸ πνεῦμα καὶ ἡ ψυχὴ καὶ τὸ σῶμα ἀμέμπτως ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τηρηθείη). Paul prays for comprehensive sanctification. Ho Theos tēs eirēnēs (ὁ Θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης, 'the God of peace')—God who gives peace (not anxiety), makes peace (through Christ's blood, Col 1:20), and is Himself peace.
Hagiasai hymas holoteleis (ἁγιάσαι ὑμᾶς ὁλοτελεῖς, 'sanctify you completely')—holotelēs (ὁλοτελής) means 'complete, entire, through and through.' Sanctification must be total, affecting the whole person. Holoklēron hymōn to pneuma kai hē psychē kai to sōma (ὁλόκληρον ὑμῶν τὸ πνεῦμα καὶ ἡ ψυχὴ καὶ τὸ σῶμα, 'your whole spirit and soul and body')—holoklēron (ὁλόκληρον, 'complete, intact, whole') modifies the threefold human nature. This isn't technical psychology (trichotomy vs. dichotomy debates) but comprehensive statement: God must sanctify your entire being. Amemptōs (ἀμέμπτως, 'blamelessly') looks toward parousia (παρουσία)—sanctification prepares believers for Christ's return.