King James Version

What Does 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Mean?

1 Thessalonians 5:23 in the King James Version says “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless... — study this verse from 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 · KJV


Context

21

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

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.

24

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

25

Brethren, pray for us.


Commentary

KJV Study 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 Christautos 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does sanctification affecting 'spirit and soul and body' teach about holiness's comprehensive scope?
  2. How do you pursue sanctification of your whole person (not just external behavior or internal thoughts alone)?
  3. What does 'preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord' teach about sanctification's goal and motivation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
Αὐτὸς1 of 30

the very

G846

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

δὲ2 of 30

And

G1161

but, and, etc

3 of 30
G3588

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

θεὸς4 of 30

God

G2316

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

τῆς5 of 30
G3588

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

εἰρήνης6 of 30

of peace

G1515

peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity

ἁγιάσαι7 of 30

sanctify

G37

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

ὑμᾶς8 of 30

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ὁλοτελεῖς9 of 30

wholly

G3651

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

καὶ10 of 30

and

G2532

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

ὁλόκληρον11 of 30

whole

G3648

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

ὑμῶν12 of 30

I pray God your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

τὸ13 of 30
G3588

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

πνεῦμα14 of 30

spirit

G4151

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

καὶ15 of 30

and

G2532

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

16 of 30
G3588

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

ψυχὴ17 of 30

soul

G5590

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

καὶ18 of 30

and

G2532

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

τὸ19 of 30
G3588

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

σῶμα20 of 30

body

G4983

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

ἀμέμπτως21 of 30

blameless

G274

faultlessly

ἐν22 of 30

unto

G1722

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

τῇ23 of 30
G3588

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

παρουσίᾳ24 of 30

the coming

G3952

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

τοῦ25 of 30
G3588

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

κυρίου26 of 30

Lord

G2962

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

ἡμῶν27 of 30

of our

G2257

of (or from) us

Ἰησοῦ28 of 30

Jesus

G2424

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

Χριστοῦ29 of 30

Christ

G5547

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

τηρηθείη30 of 30

be preserved

G5083

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


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Thessalonians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Thessalonians 5:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Thessalonians 5:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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