Paul's Exhortations to the Thessalonian Church Volume 39

Paul Declares to them the Faithfulness of God the Father

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 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. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it. KJV

Paul now elaborates to them and to us about the very God that they and we have put out faith and trust in, specifically that it is by His Divine Power and Will that they and we do not turn away from the Cross of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. First Paul says this to them and to us concerning God the Father, "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). The English word 'peace' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word eirene probably from a primary verb εἴρω eirō (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication prosperity: - one, peace, quietness, rest, and to be set at one again. In other words, the One True God is the God of Peace despite throughout the Old Testament the documenting of all the wars that were fought in human history and even the wars that the Lord God instructed Israel to go forth into because the war is found in sinful rebellious man and even when God the Father would bring judgement on a nation (like the Amorites) or on a person like King Saul of Israel, it was always and at all times to bring about peace afterwards.

The English word 'sanctify' is translated by the Greek word hagiazo which means to make holy, that is, (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate: - hallow, be holy, sanctify. The English word 'wholly' is translated by the Greek word holoteles (used this one time only in the New Testament) and it means complete to the end, that is, absolutely perfect: - wholly. In other words, the purpose of our Heavenly Father for each and everyone of His adopted sons and daughters is to be conformed into the very image of our Lord Jesus Christ as this very same Apostle Paul wrote with these words to the believers in Rome, "For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29) (Amplified Bible) and in order to do this God the Father will exhort us, encourage us, protect us, provide for us, call out to us, and also correct us whenever we stray, but what He will never do is forsake or leave us to fend for ourselves in our many spiritual battles with our enemy the devil and with our old nature within.

We are created in the very image of God we are spirit, we have and are a unique soul, and we live inside a human body (Genesis 1:26), therefore, Paul prays for these Thessalonian believers and we believers today and of every generation and era to 'be preserved' and this little English phrase is translated by one Greek word tereo which means to guard (from loss or injury, properly by keeping the eye upon; The English word 'blameless' is translated by the Greek word amemptos which means faultlessly: - blameless, unblamably. In other words, it is God the Father that will guard us throughout the time He has appointed for us to sojourn here on the earth away from Him and our Heavenly home with Him by keeping His mighty, powerful, watchful eye upon us at all times protecting our spirit, soul, and body from corruption by the devil's lies, lures, and leadings into spiritual perversion, prostitution, or poverty as we await and look for the coming of our Blessed Redeemer Jesus Christ our Lord (Titus 2:13).

Paul declares to them/us the faithfulness of our God the One True God with these words, "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:24) (KJV). The English word 'faithful' is translated by the Greek word pistos meaning objectively trustworthy; subjectively trustful: - believeing, faithful, sure, true. The English phrase 'is He that calleth' is translated by one Greek word kaleo which means to “call” (properly aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise): - to bid, or call (forth). In other words, God the Father is the author, architect, and the activator of the Gospel of Grace by which these sinners in the Church @ Thessalonica and we sinners today and of every generation and era were called or bid to come to the Cross of Jesus Christ for complete absolution or remission of all our sins, therefore, He is trustworthy, sure and true to finish the work that He began and bring each one of us to Himself to live with Him forever. Note: "You must not look at the foes before and behind, on the right hand and on the left, but to God’s faithfulness to His promises, God’s zeal for His honor, and God’s love for those whom He calls." (JFB Commentary)

"The God of peace is the God of the Gospel, the God who has come preaching peace in Jesus Christ, proclaiming reconciliation to those who are far off and to those who are near. No one can ever be sanctified who does not first accept the message of reconciliation. It is not possible to become holy as God is holy, until, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is God’s way of holiness; and this is why the Apostle presents his prayer for the sanctification of the Thessalonians to the God of peace. We are so slow to learn this, in spite of the countless ways in which it is forced upon us, that one is tempted to call it a secret; yet no secret, surely, could be more open. Who has not tried to overcome a fault, to work off a vicious temper, to break for good with an evil habit, or in some other direction to sanctify himself, and withal to keep out of God’s sight till the work was done? It is of no use. Only the God of Christian peace, the God of the Gospel, can sanctify us; or to look at the same thing from our own side, we cannot be sanctified until we are at peace with God. Confess your sins with a humble and penitent heart; accept the forgiveness and friendship of God in Christ Jesus: and then He will work in you both will and deed to further His good pleasure." Expositors Bible Commentary

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…