1 Thessalonians 3:13 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

To 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.

Your hearts - naturally the spring of unholiness.

Before God, even our Father - rather, 'before Him who is at once God and our Father.' Before not merely men, but Him who is not deceived by the show of holiness - i:e., may your holiness be such as will stand his scrutiny. God will judge by Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10; Acts 17:31).

Coming, х parousia (G3952)] - 'personal presence.'

With all his saints - including holy angels, and the holy elect of men (1 Thessalonians 4:14; Daniel 7:10; Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 15:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7). The saints are "His" (Acts 4:13). We must have "holiness" if we are to be numbered with His holy one. х Hagiotees (G41) is holiness in the abstract. Hagiosunee is the state of holiness: hagiasmos (G38), the process of being made holy.] On "unblameable," cf. Revelation 14:5. This verse (cf. with 1 Thessalonians 3:12) shows "love" is the spring of "holiness" (Matthew 5:44-48; Romans 13:10; Colossians 3:14). God really "stablishes;" Timothy and others are but instruments (1 Thessalonians 3:2) in 'stablishing.'

1 Thessalonians 3:13

13 To 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.b