1 THESSALONIANS 5:23 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“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.”
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ — the prayer-wish (optative) invokes total sanctification (hagiazō) across the entire human person: spirit, soul, body. The telos is eschatological: standing 'blameless' (amomos) at the parousia. The 'God of peace' (theos eirēnēs) is the source of all transformation.
Church Fathers on 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Observe the affection of the Teacher. After the admonition he adds a prayer; not only that, but even introduces it in his letter. For we need both counsel and prayer. For this reason we also first giving you counsel, then offer prayers for you. And this the Initiated know. But Paul indeed did this with good reason, having great confidence towards God, whereas we are confounded with shame, and have no freedom of speech. But because we were appointed to this we do it, being…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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