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"The God of peace..."

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:23

APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION

The apostle Paul added a profound benediction as he drew to a close his epistle written to the Thessalonians. The benediction reflected many deep and precious truths.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely;
and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

1. “Now may the God of peace Himself”

a) This is a reference to God the Father.

b) He is called the “God of peace” in this text.

2. “Sanctify you completely”

a) Spirit

b) Soul

c) Body

3. An explanation

The human being is essentially made up of two parts. There is the body and there is the spirit. This is quite clear when we read the Genesis account of the creation of man (Genesis 2).

a) Soul and spirit are often used interchangeably.

b) At other times the words are used to highlight certain aspects of the individual.

c) Paul was looking at the different aspects or features that make up the human being.

d) His prayer was that God would bless every single aspect of the believer.

4. “Preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”

a) This is a profound prayer of blessing.

b) Paul was entrusting the Thessalonians completely to the Lord God.

c) His prayer that all may be preserved is truly heart-warming and uplifting.

5. “He who calls you is faithful who also will do it”

a) Great confidence was displayed.

b) God was certainly able to bless in this glorious way.

c) Paul believed in a great and faithful God.