Bible Commentary

1 Thessalonians 3:13

1 Thessalonians 3:13

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain

To the end he may stablish your hearts,.... Which are very unstable and inconstant in their frames, and in the exercise of grace, and have need to be established in the love of God, against the fears of men, the frowns of the world, the temptations of Satan, and in, and with the doctrines of grace; See Gill on "",unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father.

There is no holiness in men naturally; what is in them without the grace of God is only a show; true holiness is from the Spirit of God; and this is a stable thing in itself, and can never be removed or taken away; but the acts of it, through the prevalence of corruption, the force of Satan's temptations, and the snares of the world, are fickle and inconstant; and the saints need to be established in the discharge of duty, as well as in the exercise of grace: and whereas the apostle prays, that they might be "unblamable in holiness", the Alexandrian copy reads, "in righteousness" so one of Stephens's; it must be observed, that no man is perfectly holy in this life; no man is without sin in himself, or lives without the commission of it; holiness in the best is imperfect; no man, as yet, is in himself sanctified wholly; there is no unblamable holiness but in Christ; and in him the saints are without spot and blemish, who is their sanctification and their righteousness; but in themselves they are full of spots and stains; yet through the grace of God their hearts may be so established with principles of holiness, and they may be so assisted in the acts of it daily, as to give no just cause of blame to men, and so to behave as to approve themselves "before God", who sees the heart, and knows from what principles all actions flow: and this the apostle desires may be at the coming of our Lord Jesus; or unto the coming of him, as in Either at death, when he comes into his garden, and gathers his lilies, and takes his to himself to be for ever with him; or at the day of judgment, when he comes to judge the quick and dead; and which coming of his is certain, and will be quickly and suddenly, and with great glory and power: and, as it is here added,with all his saints; meaning either his holy angels, or rather the souls of his people, whom he will bring with him, and will raise their dead bodies, and reunite them to their souls, when they shall be for ever with him; and then shall they be unblamable in holiness, both in soul and body, and shall be presented by him, first to himself, and then to his Father, faultless, and without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.

The Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions add, "Amen"; and so does Beza's ancient copy, and the Alexandrian manuscript.

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Recommended reading

More for 1 Thessalonians 3:13

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

1 Thessalonians 3 — Overview1 Thessalonians 3 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleIn this chapter the apostle gives further evidence of his love to the Thessalonians, reminding them of his sending Timothy to them, with the mention of his design therein and his inducements so to do, ver. 1-5.…1 Thessalonians 3 — Overview1 Thessalonians 3 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledge1 Thessalonians 3:1, Saint Paul testifies his great love to the Thessalonians, partly by sending Timothy unto them to strengthen and comfort them; partly by rejoicing in their well-doing; 1 Thessalonians 3:10, and…1 Thessalonians 3 — Overview1 Thessalonians 3 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn this chapter the apostle expresses his great love to the Thessalonians, by sending Timothy to then, to establish and comfort them; and declares his satisfaction with the things he brought of them, and concludes the…1 Thessalonians 3:1-131 Thessalonians 3:1-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION CONTENTS.—The apostle, no longer able to repress his longing and anxiety for the Thessalonians, resolved to be left alone at Athens, and sent Timothy for the purpose of exhorting them to endurance amid their…1 Thessalonians 3:1-131 Thessalonians 3:1-13 · The Pulpit Commentary3. So he sent his closest friend and companion. His words show how he felt the separation. He describes him as his brother; elsewhere he calls him his son in the faith, his dearly beloved son. His presence, his loving…1 Thessalonians 3:1-131 Thessalonians 3:1-13 · The Pulpit Commentary3. The grace of God will help us to resist temptation effectually. We are not left alone to battle with the tempter. If Satan is against us, God is for us. Stronger and greater influences for good are provided for…
commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.devotionThe Honest MirrorYou cannot truly value the cross until you honestly face what made it necessary. Ryle said a shallow view of sin produces a shallow Christianity. How seriously do you take your own?DiscipledeckdevotionThe Gift CardReligion is 'I obey so God will love me.' Gospel is 'God loves me, so I obey.' Stop trying to pay a bill that Jesus already covered.DiscipleDeckdevotionThe Hammer and the DoorThe Reformation unchained the Bible. The best way to honor that history is to read it. Open your Bible to Romans 3:21-26 today. It is the "Magna Carta" of the Christian faith. Read it slowly and thank God that you don't have to crawl to get to Him.Discipledeck devotionThe Golden Chain You are not holding onto a rope; you are held by a chain. Your salvation started in the mind of God before time began, and it will finish in the presence of God when time ends. You are safe. Read Romans 8:31-39 today—it is the victory song of the Golden ChainDiscipledeckdevotionThe Dirty Shirt and the Royal RobeJesus didn't just clean you; He traded places with you. He wore your dirty rags so you could wear His royal robe. You are accepted today not because of your behavior, but because of your new clothes.DiscipleDeck devotionThe Gift, Not the WageReligion says "I obey, therefore I am accepted." The Gospel says "I am accepted, therefore I obey." The order matters. If you are working for salvation, you are a slave. If you are working from salvation, you are a son. Rest in the "Done."Discipledeck