The Meaning of 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Explained

1 Thessalonians 5:23

KJV: 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.

YLT: and the God of the peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved unblameably in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Darby: Now the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly: and your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

ASV: And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Mean?

Study Notes

whole spirit and soul and body
Man a trinity. That the human soul and spirit are not identical is proved by the facts that they are divisible. Hebrews 4:12 and that soul and spirit are sharply distinguished in the burial and resurrection of the body. It is sown a natural body (soma psuchikon= "soul- body"), it is raised a spiritual body (soma pneumatikon). 1 Corinthians 15:44 . To assert, therefore, that there is no difference between soul and spirit is to assert that there is no difference between the mortal body and the resurrection body. In Scripture use, the distinction between spirit and soul may be traced. Briefly, that distinction is that the spirit is that part of man which "knows" 1 Corinthians 2:11 his mind; the soul is the seat of the affections, desires, and so of the emotions, and of the active will, the self. "My soul is exceeding sorrowful" Matthew 26:38 see also; Matthew 11:29 ; John 12:27 . The word transliterated "soul" in the O.T. (nephesh) is the exact equivalent of the N.T. word for soul (Greek - εὐψυχέω ), and the use of "soul" in the O.T. is identical with the use of that word in the N.T. (see, e.g.); Deuteronomy 6:5 ; Deuteronomy 14:26 ; 1 Samuel 18:1 ; 1 Samuel 20:4 ; 1 Samuel 20:17 ; Job 7:11 ; Job 7:15 ; Job 14:22 ; Psalms 42:6 ; Psalms 84:2 . The N.T. word for spirit (pneuma) like the O.T. (ruach), is trans. "air", "breath", "wind," but predominantly "spirit," whether of God (e.g.); Genesis 1:2 ; Matthew 3:16 or of man; Genesis 41:8 ; 1 Corinthians 5:5 . Because man is "spirit" he is capable of God-consciousness, and of communication with God; Job 32:8 ; Psalms 18:28 ; Proverbs 20:27 because he is "soul" he has self- consciousness; Psalms 13:2 ; Psalms 42:5 ; Psalms 42:6 ; Psalms 42:11 because he is "body" he has, through his senses, world consciousness.
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make man in our image
Man. Genesis 1:26 ; Genesis 1:27 gives the general, Genesis 2:7 ; Genesis 2:21-23 the particular account of the creation of man. The revealed facts are:
(1) Man was created not evolved. This is
(a) expressly declared, and the declaration is confirmed by Christ Matthew 19:14 ; Mark 10:6 ,
(b) "an enormous gulf, a divergence practically infinite" (Huxley) between the lowest man and the highest beast, confirms it;
(c) the highest beast has no trace of God-consciousness--the religious nature;
(d) science and discovery have done nothing to bridge that "gulf."
(2) That man was made in the "image and likeness" of God. This image is found chiefly in man's tri-unity, and in his moral nature. Man is "spirit and soul and body" 1 Thessalonians 5:23 .
"Spirit" is that part of man which "knows" 1 Corinthians 2:11 and which allies him to the spiritual creation and gives him God-consciousness. "Soul" in itself implies self-consciousness life, as distinguished from plants, which have unconscious life. In that sense animals also have "soul" Genesis 1:24 . But the "soul" of man has a vaster content than "soul" as applied to beast life. It is the seat of emotions, desires, affections Psalms 42:1-6 . The "heart" is, in Scripture usage, nearly synonymous with "soul." Because the natural man is, characteristically, the soulual or physical man, "soul" is often used as synonymous with the individual, e.g. Genesis 12:5 . The body, separable from spirit and soul, and susceptible to death, is nevertheless an integral part of man, as the resurrection shows; John 5:28 ; John 5:29 ; 1 Corinthians 15:47-50 ; Revelation 20:11-13 . It is the seat of the senses (the means by which the spirit and soul have world-consciousness) and of the fallen Adamic nature. Romans 7:23 ; Romans 7:24 .
us , Genesis 11:7

Verse Meaning

Peace in the assembly was very important to Paul. The "spirit" is the part of us that enables us to communicate with God. The "soul" makes us conscious of ourselves. The "body" is the physical part that expresses the inner person. These are not the only elements that constitute humanity (cf. heart, mind, conscience, etc.), but they are the ones Paul chose here.
"It is precarious to try to construct a tripartite doctrine of human nature on the juxtaposition of the three nouns, pneuma, psyche and soma.... The distinction between the bodily and spiritual aspects of human nature is easily made, but to make a comparable distinction between "spirit" and "soul" is forced." [1]
Paul may have mentioned "spirit and soul and body" because these three aspects point to the believer"s relationships to God, himself or herself, and other people. Together they picture wholeness. Paul"s desire for his readers was that every part of them, involving all their relationships, would remain without fault and that they would continue to mature and live free from legitimate grounds for accusation until Christ"s return. Note again that he believed the Lord"s return could precede their deaths.
Since the Lord did not return before Paul died was he wrong to view the Lord"s return as he did, namely, as imminent? No, because imminent means that He could return at any moment, not that He will return very soon.
"In a prayer expressing Paul"s wishes for the congregation, two of the basic themes of the letter are again highlighted. The prayer utilizes two optative verbs, asking that God "may ... sanctify" the Thessalonians and that they "may ... be kept blameless." The prayer for sanctification reminds the readers of the exhortations in chaps4-5. In fact, the call for sanctification brackets these final two chapters. Chapter4begins with an exhortation to the people to lead sanctified lives ( 1 Thessalonians 5:3-8), and chap5 ends with a prayer that God would sanctify his people ( 1 Thessalonians 5:23 a). The prayer for the preservation of the saints until the coming of the Lord ( 1 Thessalonians 5:23 b) reflects back on encouragements to persist in hope despite affliction ( 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11)." [2]

Context Summary

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 - "without Blame" At His Coming
The remainder of the chapter is filled with brief sentences of exhortation, like cablegrams from our Heavenly Captain to his soldiers, who, in the previous section, are described as wearing the breastplate of faith and love. As we endeavor to put them into practice, we become conscious of a new and divine energy entering and quickening our nature. It is the God of peace who is at work, co-operating with our poor endeavors and sanctifying us wholly.
Each soul has a ministry to others, 1 Thessalonians 5:14. A sketch is here given of the ideal believer, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22; full of joy, constant in prayer, giving thanks in everything, loving with the unquenched fire of the Holy Spirit, willing to listen to any voice that may bear a divine message, testing all events and utterances with a celestial solvent, steadfast in good, and persistent against evil. This is a high standard, and impossible of realization apart from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. But when the inner shrine is truly surrendered to Him, He will possess the whole temple, even to our physical well-being. God is faithful and will never fail the soul that dares to be all that He wills [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Thessalonians 5

1  He proceeds in the description of Christ's coming to judgment;
16  and gives various instructions;
23  and so concludes the epistle

Greek Commentary for 1 Thessalonians 5:23

The God of peace [ο τεος της ειρηνης]
The God characterized by peace in his nature, who gladly bestows it also. Common phrase (Milligan) at close of Paul‘s Epistles (2 Corinthians 13:11; Romans 15:33; Romans 16:20; Philemon 4:9) and the Lord of peace in 2 Thessalonians 3:6. [source]
Sanctify you [αγιασαι υμας]
First aorist active optative in a wish for the future. New verb in lxx and N.T. for the old αγιζω — hagizō to render or to declare holy Predicate adjective in plural (ολος — holos whole, τελος — telos end), not adverb ολοτελως — holotelōs Late word in Plutarch, Hexapla, and in inscription a.d. 67 (Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary). Here alone in N.T. Here it means the whole of each of you, every part of each of you, “through and through” (Luther), qualitatively rather than quantitatively. Your spirit and soul and body Not necessarily trichotomy as opposed to dichotomy as elsewhere in Paul‘s Epistles. Both believers and unbelievers have an inner man (soul πσυχη — psuchē mind νους — nous heart καρδια — kardia the inward man ο εσω αντρωπος — ho esō anthrōpos) and the outer man But the believer has the Holy Spirit of God, the renewed spirit of man (1 Corinthians 2:11; Romans 8:9-11). Be preserved entire (ολοκληρον — holoklēron tērētheiē). First aorist passive optative in wish for the future. Note singular verb and singular adjective (neuter) showing that Paul conceives of the man as “an undivided whole” (Frame), prayer for the consecration of both body and soul (cf. 1 Corinthians 6). The adjective ολος — holoklēron is in predicate and is an old form and means complete in all its parts (κληρος — holos whole, Τελειος — klēros lot or part). There is to be no deficiency in any part. τελος — Teleios (from αμεμπτως — telos end) means final perfection. Without blame Old adverb Milligan notes it in certain sepulchral inscriptions discovered in Thessalonica. At the coming (en tēi parousiāi). The Second Coming which was a sustaining hope to Paul as it should be to us and mentioned often in this Epistle (see note on 1 Thessalonians 2:19). [source]
Wholly [ολοτελεις]
Predicate adjective in plural Here alone in N.T. Here it means the whole of each of you, every part of each of you, “through and through” (Luther), qualitatively rather than quantitatively. [source]
Your spirit and soul and body [υμων το πνευμα και η πσυχη και το σωμα]
Not necessarily trichotomy as opposed to dichotomy as elsewhere in Paul‘s Epistles. Both believers and unbelievers have an inner man (soul πσυχη — psuchē mind νους — nous heart καρδια — kardia the inward man ο εσω αντρωπος — ho esō anthrōpos) and the outer man But the believer has the Holy Spirit of God, the renewed spirit of man (1 Corinthians 2:11; Romans 8:9-11). Be preserved entire (ολοκληρον — holoklēron tērētheiē). First aorist passive optative in wish for the future. Note singular verb and singular adjective (neuter) showing that Paul conceives of the man as “an undivided whole” (Frame), prayer for the consecration of both body and soul (cf. 1 Corinthians 6). The adjective ολος — holoklēron is in predicate and is an old form and means complete in all its parts (κληρος — holos whole, Τελειος — klēros lot or part). There is to be no deficiency in any part. τελος — Teleios (from αμεμπτως — telos end) means final perfection. Without blame Old adverb Milligan notes it in certain sepulchral inscriptions discovered in Thessalonica. At the coming (en tēi parousiāi). The Second Coming which was a sustaining hope to Paul as it should be to us and mentioned often in this Epistle (see note on 1 Thessalonians 2:19). [source]
Be preserved entire [ολοκληρον]
First aorist passive optative in wish for the future. Note singular verb and singular adjective (neuter) showing that Paul conceives of the man as “an undivided whole” (Frame), prayer for the consecration of both body and soul (cf. 1 Corinthians 6). The adjective ολος — holoklēron is in predicate and is an old form and means complete in all its parts There is to be no deficiency in any part. τελος — Teleios (from αμεμπτως — telos end) means final perfection. [source]
Without blame [α]
Old adverb Milligan notes it in certain sepulchral inscriptions discovered in Thessalonica. At the coming (en tēi parousiāi). The Second Coming which was a sustaining hope to Paul as it should be to us and mentioned often in this Epistle (see note on 1 Thessalonians 2:19). [source]
At the coming [en tēi parousiāi)]
The Second Coming which was a sustaining hope to Paul as it should be to us and mentioned often in this Epistle (see note on 1 Thessalonians 2:19). [source]
The very God of peace [αὐτὸς ὁ Θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης]
Better, the God of peace himself. God's work is contrasted with human efforts to carry out the preceding injunctions. The phrase God of peace only in Paul and Hebrews. See Romans 15:33; Romans 16:20; Philemon 4:9; Hebrews 13:20. The meaning is, God who is the source and giver of peace. Peace, in the Pauline sense, is not mere calm or tranquillity. It is always conceived as based upon reconciliation with God. God is the God of peace only to those who have ceased to be at war with him, and are at one with him. God's peace is not sentimental but moral. Hence the God of peace is the sanctifier. “Peace” is habitually used, both in the Old and New Testaments, in connection with the messianic salvation. The Messiah himself will be Peace (Micah 5:5). Peace is associated with righteousness as a messianic blessing (Psalm 72:7; Psalm 85:10). Peace, founded in reconciliation with God, is the theme of the gospel (Acts 10:36). The gospel is the gospel of peace (Ephesians 2:17; Ephesians 6:15; Romans 10:15). Christ is the giver of peace (John 14:27; John 16:33). [source]
Sanctify [ἁγιάσαι]
See on John 10:36; see on John 17:17. The primary idea of the word is separation. Hence ἅγιος , the standard word for holy in lxx is, primarily, set apart. Ἁγιάζειν is 1. to separate from things profane and to consecrate to God; 2. to cleanse or purify as one set apart to holy uses. [source]
Wholly [ὁλοτελεῖς]
N.T.oSo that nothing shall escape the sanctifying power. Ὅλος completeand τέλος endor consummation. [source]
Spirit, soul, body [πνεῦμα, ψυχὴ σῶμα]
It is useless to attempt to draw from these words a technical, psychological statement of a threefold division of the human personality. If Paul recognized any such technical division, it was more probably twofold; the body or material part, and the immaterial part with its higher and lower sides - πνεῦμα and ψυχὴ . See on Romans 6:6; see on Romans 7:5, Romans 7:23; see on Romans 8:4; see on Romans 11:3and footnote. [source]
Be preserved entire [ὁλόκληρον - τηρηθείη]
This is the rendering of Rev. and is correct. A.V. joins ὁλόκληρον with πνεῦμα , and renders your whole spirit. Ὁλόκληρον is predicative, not attributive. It does not mean whole, but is derived from ὅλος wholeand κλῆρος allotmentand signifies having the entire allotment; complete in all parts. It occurs only here and James 1:4, where it is associated with τέλειοι perfectIt appears in lxx, as Leviticus 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:9; Deuteronomy 27:6. Joseph. Ant. 3:12,2, uses it of an unblemished victim for sacrifice. As distinguished from ὁλοτελεῖς wholly 1 Thessalonians 5:23, it is qualitative, while ὁλοτελεῖς is quantitative. The kindred ὁλοκληρία perfectsoundness, only in Acts 3:16. For preserved see on 1 Peter 1:4. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Thessalonians 5:23

John 17:17 Sanctify [αγιασον]
First aorist active imperative of αγιαζω — hagiazō To consecrate or set apart persons or things to God. See Exodus 28:41; Exodus 29:1, Exodus 29:36; Exodus 40:13. See Paul‘s prayer for the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 5:23). This is done in the sphere (εν — en) of truth (God‘s truth), God‘s Word (not human speculation, but God‘s message to us). [source]
Acts 3:16 His name [το ονομα αυτου]
Repeats the word name to make the point clear. Cf. Acts 3:6 where Peter uses “the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” when he healed the man. Made strong (εστερεωσεν — estereōsen). Same verb used in Acts 3:7 (and Acts 16:5). Nowhere else in the N.T. Old verb from στερεος — stereos firm, solid. Through him Through Jesus, the object of faith and the source of it. Perfect soundness (ολοκληριαν — holoklērian). Perfect in all its parts, complete, whole (from ολος — holos whole, κληρος — klēros allotment). Late word (Plutarch) once in lxx (Isaiah 1:6) and here alone in the N.T., but adjective ολοκληρος — holoklēros old and common (James 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). [source]
Acts 3:16 Through him [δι αυτου]
Through Jesus, the object of faith and the source of it. Perfect soundness (ολοκληριαν — holoklērian). Perfect in all its parts, complete, whole (from ολος — holos whole, κληρος — klēros allotment). Late word (Plutarch) once in lxx (Isaiah 1:6) and here alone in the N.T., but adjective ολοκληρος — holoklēros old and common (James 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). [source]
Acts 3:16 Perfect soundness [ολοκληριαν]
Perfect in all its parts, complete, whole (from ολος — holos whole, κληρος — klēros allotment). Late word (Plutarch) once in lxx (Isaiah 1:6) and here alone in the N.T., but adjective ολοκληρος — holoklēros old and common (James 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). [source]
Romans 6:6 The body of sin [τὸ σῶμα τῆς ἁμαρτίας]
Σῶμα in earlier classical usage signifies a corpse. So always in Homer and often in later Greek. So in the New Testament, Matthew 6:25; Mark 5:29; Mark 14:8; Mark 15:43. It is used of men as slaves, Revelation 18:13. Also in classical Greek of the sum-total. So Plato: τὸ τοῦ κόσμου σῶμα thesum-total of the world (“Timaeus,” 31). The meaning is tinged in some cases by the fact of the vital union of the body with the immaterial nature, as being animated by the ψυξή soulthe principle of individual life. Thus Matthew 6:25, where the two are conceived as forming one organism, so that the material ministries which are predicated of the one are predicated of the other, and the meanings of the two merge into one another. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
In Paul it can scarcely be said to be used of a dead body, except in a figurative sense, as Romans 8:10, or by inference, 2 Corinthians 5:8. Commonly of a living body. It occurs with ψυχή soulonly 1 Thessalonians 5:23, and there its distinction from ψυχή rather than its union with it is implied. So in Matthew 10:28, though even there the distinction includes the two as one personality. It is used by Paul:-DIVIDER-
1. Of the living human body, Romans 4:19; 1 Corinthians 6:13; 1 Corinthians 9:27; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. -DIVIDER-
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2. Of the Church as the body of Christ, Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:23; Colossians 1:18, etc. Σάρξ fleshnever in this sense. -DIVIDER-
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3. Of plants and heavenly bodies, 1 Corinthians 15:37, 1 Corinthians 15:40. -DIVIDER-
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4. Of the glorified body of Christ, Philemon 3:21. -DIVIDER-
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5. Of the spiritual body of risen believers, 1 Corinthians 15:44. -DIVIDER-
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It is distinguished from σάρξ fleshas not being limited to the organism of an earthly, living body, 1 Corinthians 15:37, 1 Corinthians 15:38. It is the material organism apart from any definite matter. It is however sometimes used as practically synonymous with σάρξ , 1 Corinthians 7:16, 1 Corinthians 7:17; Ephesians 5:28, Ephesians 5:31; 2 Corinthians 4:10, 2 Corinthians 4:11. Compare 1 Corinthians 5:3with Colossians 2:5. An ethical conception attaches to it. It is alternated with μέλη membersand the two are associated with sin (Romans 1:24; Romans 6:6; Romans 7:5, Romans 7:24; Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5), and with sanctification (Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 6:19sq.; compare 1 Thessalonians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). It is represented as mortal, Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 10:10; and as capable of life, 1 Corinthians 13:3; 2 Corinthians 4:10. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
In common with μέλη membersit is the instrument of feeling and willing rather than σάρξ , because the object in such cases is to designate the body not definitely as earthly, but generally as organic, Romans 6:12, Romans 6:13, Romans 6:19; 2 Corinthians 5:10. Hence, wherever it is viewed with reference to sin or sanctification, it is the outward organ for the execution of the good or bad resolves of the will. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The phrase body of sin denotes the body belonging to, or ruled by, the power of sin, in which the members are instruments of unrighteousness (Romans 6:13). Not the body as containing the principle of evil in our humanity, since Paul does not regard sin as inherent in, and inseparable from, the body (see Romans 6:13; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; 2 Corinthians 7:1. Compare Matthew 15:19), nor as precisely identical with the old man, an organism or system of evil dispositions, which does not harmonize with Romans 6:12, Romans 6:13, where Paul uses body in the strict sense. “Sin is conceived as the master, to whom the body as slave belongs and is obedient to execute its will. As the slave must perform his definite functions, not because he in himself can perform no others, but because of His actually subsistent relationship of service he may perform no others, while of himself he might belong as well to another master and render other services; so the earthly σῶμα bodybelongs not of itself to the ἁμαρτία sinbut may just as well belong to the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:13), and doubtless it is de facto enslaved to sin, so long as a redemption from this state has not set in by virtue of the divine Spirit” (Romans 7:24: Dickson).DestroyedSee on Romans 3:3.He that is dead ( ὁ ἀποθανὼν )Rev., literally, he that hath died. In a physical sense. Death and its consequences are used as the general illustration of the spiritual truth. It is a habit of Paul to throw in such general illustrations. See Romans 7:2. [source]

Romans 11:3 Life [ψυχήν]
From ψύχω tobreathe or blow. In classical usage it signifies life in the distinctness of individual existence, especially of man, occasionally of brutes. Hence, generally, the life of the individual. In the further development of the idea it becomes, instead of the body, the seat of the will, dispositions, desires, passions; and, combined with the σῶμα bodydenotes the constituent parts of humanity. Hence the morally endowed individuality of man which continues after death. Scripture. In the Old Testament, answering to nephesh primarily life, breath; therefore life in its distinct individuality; life as such, distinguished from other men and from inanimate nature. Not the principle of life, but that which bears in itself and manifests the life-principle. Hence spirit (ruach πνεῦμα ) in the Old Testament never signifies the individual. Soul ( ψυχή ), of itself, does not constitute personality, but only when it is the soul of a human being. Human personality is derived from spirit ( πνεῦμα ), and finds expression in soul or life ( ψυχή ). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The New-Testament usage follows the Old, in denoting all individuals from the point of view of individual life. Thus the phrase πᾶσα ψυχή everysoul, i.e., every person (Romans 2:9; Romans 13:1), marking them off from inanimate nature. So Romans 11:3; Romans 16:4; 2 Corinthians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 12:15; Philemon 2:30; 1 Thessalonians 2:8, illustrate an Old-Testament usage whereby the soul is the seat of personality, and is employed instead of the personal pronoun, with a collateral notion of value as individual personality. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
These and other passages are opposed to the view which limits the term to a mere animal life-principle. See Ephesians 6:6; Colossians 3:23; the compounds σύμψυχοι withone soul; ἰσοψύχον like-minded(Philemon 1:27; Philemon 2:20), where personal interest and accord of feeling are indicated, and not lower elements of personality. See, especially 1 Thessalonians 5:23. -DIVIDER-
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As to the distinction between ψυχή souland πνεῦμα spiritit is to be said:-DIVIDER-
1. That there are cases where the meanings approach very closely, if they are not practically synonymous; especially where the individual life is referred to. See Luke 1:47; John 11:33, and John 12:27; Matthew 11:29, and 1 Corinthians 16:18. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
2. That the distinction is to be rejected which rests on the restriction of ψυχή to the principle of animal life. This cannot be maintained in the face of 1 Corinthians 15:45; 1 Corinthians 2:14, in which latter the kindred adjective ψυχικός naturalhas reference to the faculty of discerning spiritual truth. In both cases the antithesis is πνεῦμα spiritin the ethical sense, requiring an enlargement of the conception of ψυχικός naturalbeyond that of σαρκικός fleshlyThat ψυχή soulmust not be distinguished from πνεῦμα ; spirit as being alone subject to the dominion of sin, since the πνεῦμα is described as being subject to such dominion. See 2 Corinthians 7:1. So 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 7:34, imply that the spirit needs sanctification. Compare Ephesians 4:23. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
4. Ψυχή soulis never used of God like πνεῦμα spiritIt is used of Christ, but always with reference to His humanity. -DIVIDER-
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Whatever distinction there is, therefore, is not between a higher and a lower element in man. It is rather between two sides of the one immaterial nature which stands in contrast with the body. Spirit expresses the conception of that nature more generally, being used both of the earthly and of the non-earthly spirit, while soul designates it on the side of the creature. In this view ψυχή soulis akin to σάρξ , flesh, “not as respects the notion conveyed by them, but as respects their value as they both stand at the same stage of creatureliness in contradistinction to God.” Hence the distinction follows that of the Old Testament between soul and spirit as viewed from two different points: the soul regarded as an individual possession, distinguishing the holder from other men and from inanimate nature; the spirit regarded as coming directly from God and returning to Him. “The former indicates the life-principle simply as subsistent, the latter marks its relation to God.” Spirit and not soul is the point of contact with the regenerating forces of the Holy Spirit; the point from which the whole personality is moved round so as to face God. -DIVIDER-
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Ψυχή soulis thus:-DIVIDER-
1. The individual life, the seat of the personality. -DIVIDER-
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2. The subject of the life, the person in which it dwells. -DIVIDER-
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3. The mind as the sentient principle, the seat of sensation and desire. -DIVIDER-
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[source]

Romans 15:33 The God of peace [ο τεος της ειρηνης]
One of the characteristics of God that Paul often mentions in benedictions (1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philemon 4:9; Romans 16:20). Because of the “amen” here some scholars would make this the close of the Epistle and make chapter 16 a separate Epistle to the Ephesians. But the MSS. are against it. There is nothing strange at all in Paul‘s having so many friends in Rome though he had not yet been there himself. Rome was the centre of the world‘s life as Paul realized (Romans 1:15). All men sooner or later hoped to see Rome. [source]
1 Corinthians 1:8 Unto the end [εως τελους]
End of the age till Jesus comes, final preservation of the saints. That ye be unreproveable (ανεγκλητους — anegklētous). Alpha privative and εγκαλεω — egkaleō to accuse, old verbal, only in Paul in N.T. Proleptic adjective in the predicate accusative agreeing with υμας — humas (you) without ωστε — hōste and the infinitive as in 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Philemon 3:21. “Unimpeachable, for none will have the right to impeach” (Robertson and Plummer) as Paul shows in Romans 8:33; Colossians 1:22, Colossians 1:28. [source]
1 Corinthians 1:8 That ye be unreproveable [ανεγκλητους]
Alpha privative and εγκαλεω — egkaleō to accuse, old verbal, only in Paul in N.T. Proleptic adjective in the predicate accusative agreeing with υμας — humas (you) without ωστε — hōste and the infinitive as in 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Philemon 3:21. “Unimpeachable, for none will have the right to impeach” (Robertson and Plummer) as Paul shows in Romans 8:33; Colossians 1:22, Colossians 1:28. [source]
1 Corinthians 15:23 At his coming [εν τηι παρουσιαι]
The word παρουσια — parousia was the technical word “for the arrival or visit of the king or emperor” and can be traced from the Ptolemaic period into the second century a.d. (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 368). “Advent-coins were struck after a parousia of the emperor.” Paul is only discussing “those that are Christ‘s” (1 Corinthians 3:23; Galatians 5:24) and so says nothing about judgment (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). [source]
1 Thessalonians 2:10 Holily - justly - unblameably [ὁσίως - δικαίως - ἀμέμπτως]
For δικαίως holilysee on Luke 1:75; for δικαίως justlyor righteously, see on Romans 1:17; see on Romans 5:7. Ἁμέμπτως unblameablyonly in these Epistles. See 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23. For the distinction between ὅσιος and δίκαιος see Plato, Gorg. 507. [source]
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Be preserved entire [ὁλόκληρον - τηρηθείη]
This is the rendering of Rev. and is correct. A.V. joins ὁλόκληρον with πνεῦμα , and renders your whole spirit. Ὁλόκληρον is predicative, not attributive. It does not mean whole, but is derived from ὅλος wholeand κλῆρος allotmentand signifies having the entire allotment; complete in all parts. It occurs only here and James 1:4, where it is associated with τέλειοι perfectIt appears in lxx, as Leviticus 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:9; Deuteronomy 27:6. Joseph. Ant. 3:12,2, uses it of an unblemished victim for sacrifice. As distinguished from ὁλοτελεῖς wholly 1 Thessalonians 5:23, it is qualitative, while ὁλοτελεῖς is quantitative. The kindred ὁλοκληρία perfectsoundness, only in Acts 3:16. For preserved see on 1 Peter 1:4. [source]
1 Thessalonians 2:19 At his coming [εν τηι αυτου παρουσιαι]
This word παρουσια — parousia is untechnical (just presence from παρειμι — pareimi) in 2 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Corinthians 16:17; 2 Corinthians 7:6.; 2 Corinthians 10:10; Philemon 1:26; Philemon 2:12. But here (also 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 2 Thessalonians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 15:23) we have the technical sense of the second coming of Christ. Deissmann (Light from the Ancient East, pp. 372ff.) notes that the word in the papyri is almost technical for the arrival of a king or ruler who expects to receive his “crown of coming.” The Thessalonians, Paul says, will be his crown, glory, joy when Jesus comes. [source]
1 Thessalonians 3:11 Direct our way [κατευτυναι την οδον ημων]
First aorist optative (acute accent on penult, not circumflex first aorist active infinitive) of κατευτυνω — kateuthunō old verb to make straight path. Singular verb also, though both God and Christ mentioned as subject (unity in the Godhead). Apart from μη γενοιτο — mē genoito (may it not come to pass) the optative in a wish of the third person is found in N.T. only in 1 Thessalonians 3:11, 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:5, 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Romans 15:5, Romans 15:13. [source]
1 Thessalonians 3:11 And our Lord Jesus [και ο Κυριος ημων Ιησους]
Separate article here with Ιησους — Iēsous In Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1 only one article (not two) treating “our God and Saviour Jesus Christ” as one just like “our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” in 2 Peter 1:11; 2 Peter 2:20; 2 Peter 3:18. Direct our way (κατευτυναι την οδον ημων — kateuthunai tēn hodon hēmōn). First aorist optative (acute accent on penult, not circumflex first aorist active infinitive) of κατευτυνω — kateuthunō old verb to make straight path. Singular verb also, though both God and Christ mentioned as subject (unity in the Godhead). Apart from μη γενοιτο — mē genoito (may it not come to pass) the optative in a wish of the third person is found in N.T. only in 1 Thessalonians 3:11, 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:5, 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Romans 15:5, Romans 15:13. [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:7 At the revelation of the Lord Jesus [εν τηι αποκαλυπσει του Κυριου Ιησου]
Here the Παρουσια — Parousia (1 Thessalonians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23) is pictured as a Revelation (Un-veiling, αποκαλυπσις — apȯkalupsis) of the Messiah as in 1 Corinthians 1:7, 1 Peter 1:7, 1 Peter 1:13 (cf. Luke 17:30). At this Unveiling of the Messiah there will come the recompense (2 Thessalonians 1:6) to the persecutors and the rest from the persecutions. This Revelation will be from heaven In Acts 7:30 the text is flame of fire where πυρος — puros is genitive (like Isaiah 66:15) rather than πλογος — phlogos as here (Exodus 3:2). [source]
2 Thessalonians 3:5 Direct [κατευτυναι]
First aorist active optative of wish for the future as in 2 Thessalonians 2:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23 from κατευτυνω — kateuthunō old verb, as in 1 Thessalonians 3:11 (there way, here hearts) and Luke 1:79 of feet Perfective use of κατα — kata Bold figure for making smooth and direct road. The Lord here is the Lord Jesus. [source]
2 Thessalonians 3:16 The Lord of peace himself [αυτος ο κυριος της ειρηνης]
See note on 1 Thessalonians 5:23 for the God of peace himself. [source]
Hebrews 13:20 The God of peace []
Not an O.T. phrase, and found only in Paul and Hebrews. See Romans 15:33; Romans 16:20; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Philemon 4:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:16. The phrase signifies God who is the author and giver of peace. [source]
Hebrews 13:20 The God of peace [ο τεος της ειρηνης]
God is the author and giver of peace, a Pauline phrase (6 times) as in 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Who brought again from the dead Second aorist active articular participle of αναγω — anagō (cf. Romans 10:7), the only direct mention of the resurrection of Jesus in the Epistle, though implied often (Hebrews 1:3, etc.). That great shepherd of the sheep This phrase occurs in Isaiah 63:11 except τον μεγαν — ton megan which the author adds as in Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 10:21. So here, “the shepherd of the sheep the great one.” With the blood of the eternal covenant This language is from Zechariah 9:11. The language reminds us of Christ‘s own words in Mark 14:24 (Matthew 26:28; Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25) about “my blood of the covenant.” [source]
Hebrews 4:12 The word of God [ο λογος του τεου]
That just quoted about the promise of rest and God‘s rest, but true of any real word of God. Living Cf. the Living God (Hebrews 3:12). In Philo and the Book of Wisdom the Logos of God is personified, but still more in John 1:1-18 where Jesus is pictured as the Logos on a par with God. “Our author is using Philonic language rather than Philonic ideas” (Moffatt). See John 6:63: “The words which I have spoken are spirit and are life.” Active Energetic, powerful (John 1:12; Philemon 3:21; Colossians 1:29). Sharper Comparative of τομος — tomos cutting (from τεμνω — temnō to cut), late adjective, here only in the N.T. Than Often so after a comparative (Luke 16:8; 2 Corinthians 12:13). Two-edged “Two-mouthed” Present middle participle of αχρι μερισμου — diikneomai old verb to go through, here only in N.T. Even to the dividing Old word from μερος — merizō As in 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 15:45, but not an argument for trichotomy. Psychology is constantly changing its terminology. Of both joints and marrow From αρμος — arō to join, comes Μυελος — harmos old word, here only in the N.T. μυω — Muelos (from κριτικος — muō to shut), old word, here only in N.T. This surgeon goes into and through the joints and marrow, not cleaving between them. Quick to discern Verbal adjective in -κρινω — ikos from εντυμησεων και εννοιων καρδιας — krinō skilled in judging, as the surgeon has to be and able to decide on the instant what to do. So God‘s word like his eye sees the secret lurking doubt and unbelief “of the thoughts and intents of the heart” The surgeon carries a bright and powerful light for every dark crevice and a sharp knife for the removal of all the pus revealed by the light. It is a powerful picture here drawn. [source]
Jude 1:1 In Jesus Christ [Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ]
The simple dative without preposition. Thereforefor Jesus Christ; by the Father to whom Christ committed them (John 17:11). Compare 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Philemon 1:6, Philemon 1:10. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 mean?

Himself now the God - of peace may sanctify you completely and entirely your - spirit - soul body blameless at the coming of the Lord of us Jesus Christ may be preserved
Αὐτὸς δὲ Θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἁγιάσαι ὑμᾶς ὁλοτελεῖς καὶ ὁλόκληρον ὑμῶν τὸ πνεῦμα ψυχὴ σῶμα ἀμέμπτως ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τηρηθείη

Αὐτὸς  Himself 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
Θεὸς  God 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
τῆς  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
εἰρήνης  of  peace 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: εἰρήνη  
Sense: a state of national tranquillity.
ἁγιάσαι  may  sanctify 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Optative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἁγιάζω 
Sense: to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow.
ὁλοτελεῖς  completely 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ὁλοτελής  
Sense: perfect, complete in all respects.
ὁλόκληρον  entirely 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: ὁλόκληρος  
Sense: complete in all its parts, in no part wanting or unsound, complete, entire, whole.
ὑμῶν  your 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
τὸ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πνεῦμα  spirit 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: πνεῦμα  
Sense: a movement of air (a gentle blast.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ψυχὴ  soul 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ψυχή  
Sense: breath.
σῶμα  body 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: σῶμα  
Sense: the body both of men or animals.
ἀμέμπτως  blameless 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ἀμέμπτως  
Sense: blameless, so that there is no cause for censure.
ἐν  at 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐν 
Sense: in, by, with etc.
παρουσίᾳ  coming 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: παρουσία  
Sense: presence.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Κυρίου  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
ἡμῶν  of  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
Ἰησοῦ  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
Χριστοῦ  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
τηρηθείη  may  be  preserved 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Optative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: τηρέω  
Sense: to attend to carefully, take care of.