1 Thessalonians 3:13 - Timothy's Encouraging Report
so that He may establish your hearts
This phrase emphasizes the divine initiative in strengthening believers. The heart, in biblical terms, often represents the center of one's being, including mind, will, and emotions. The idea of God establishing hearts suggests a firm foundation, echoing Psalm 112:7, where the righteous are described as having steadfast hearts. This divine action is necessary for spiritual stability and growth.
in blamelessness and holiness
Blamelessness refers to a state of being without fault or guilt, while holiness denotes being set apart for God's purposes. These qualities are essential for believers, as seen in Ephesians 1:4, where Paul writes about being holy and blameless before God. The call to holiness is a recurring theme in Scripture, reflecting God's own nature (1 Peter 1:15-16).
before our God and Father
This phrase highlights the relational aspect of the believer's life with God, who is both a sovereign deity and a loving Father. The dual role of God as both judge and parent is seen throughout the Bible, providing both accountability and intimacy. The presence of God as Father is a comforting assurance of His care and guidance, as seen in Matthew 6:9.
at the coming of our Lord Jesus
The coming of Jesus, or Parousia, is a central eschatological event in Christian theology. It refers to the anticipated return of Christ, as promised in Acts 1:11. This event is characterized by judgment and the fulfillment of God's kingdom. The expectation of Christ's return serves as motivation for ethical living and spiritual readiness, as seen in 2 Peter 3:11-12.
with all His saints
The term "saints" refers to all believers, both living and deceased, who are sanctified in Christ. This gathering of saints at Christ's return is a fulfillment of prophecies such as Daniel 7:27, where the kingdom is given to the saints. It also reflects the communal aspect of salvation, where believers are united with Christ and each other.
Amen.
"Amen" is a term of affirmation, meaning "truly" or "so be it." It is used to express agreement with what has been said, often concluding prayers or doxologies. Its use here underscores the certainty and hope in the promises of God, as seen in Revelation 22:20-21, where the return of Christ is affirmed with "Amen."
Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who authored the letter to the Thessalonians, providing guidance and encouragement to the early Christian community.
2. Thessalonica
A city in Macedonia where the early church was established, facing persecution and challenges in maintaining their faith.
3. God the Father
The divine being to whom believers are accountable and before whom they are to be blameless and holy.
4. Lord Jesus
The central figure of Christianity, whose second coming is anticipated by believers.
5. Saints
Refers to the holy ones, possibly including both angels and believers who have passed on, who will accompany Jesus at His return.
Teaching Points
The Call to Holiness
Believers are called to live lives of holiness and blamelessness, reflecting the character of God. This involves a daily commitment to spiritual growth and moral integrity.
Anticipation of Christ’s Return
The expectation of Jesus’ second coming should motivate believers to live in a way that honors God, preparing their hearts for His arrival.
Divine Empowerment
It is God who establishes our hearts in holiness. Believers must rely on His strength and grace to live out this calling.
Community of Saints
The reference to "all His saints" reminds us of the communal aspect of faith. We are part of a larger body of believers, both living and departed, who share in this hope.
Accountability Before God
Understanding that we will stand before God the Father encourages a life of accountability and reverence, knowing that our actions and hearts are seen by Him.
Lists and Questions
Top 10 Lessons from 1 Thessalonians 3Are your hearts firmly established for the Lord's coming?What is Christ's thousand-year reign?Are your hearts firmly established for the Lord's coming?Revelation 19:14 describes an army in white linen on heavenly horses—what evidence supports a real historical or spiritual event like this?
(13) To the end.--A beautiful connection of thought. Perfect and settled sanctification in the eyes of God is the object in view, and the means by which it is to be attained is growing and overflowing love toward mankind. (See Colossians 3:14.) St. Paul is already thinking, probably, how he shall treat the subject of chastity in the next chapter. (See Note on 1Thessalonians 4:6.)
Before God . . . at the coming.--The hearts are to be unblamably holy before God--not only all through life, but also at the Judgment Day, when Jesus Christ is to judge us in the Father's presence. Though He has "committed all judgment unto the Son" (John 5:22), yet the judgment is His own, and the Son is the agent by whom He judges, just as He is the agent by whom He creates (see Acts 17:31): therefore in that day it is in the Father's sight rather than in the Son's (though there can be no divergence between Them) that we are to be able to clear ourselves.
With all his saints--i.e., attended by them:-
"Thousand, thousand saints attending, . . . Verse 13. - To the end (in order that) he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God. In the sight of God, in his judgment who searcheth the hearts. The words, "before God," are to be conjoined neither with "holiness" nor with "unblamable," but with the whole phrase, "unblamable in holiness." Even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; at the second advent. With all his saints. By "saints" or "holy ones" are by some understood the angels who shall accompany Christ to judgment; but although the term "saints" is used of the angels in the Old Testament, it is never so employed in the New. The word seems to denote those holy men who have died in the Lord and who shall be raised at the advent, and accompany Christ to the judgment. Greek He may establish your hearts in blamelessness [and] holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen. Links
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.
στηρίξαι (stērixai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4741: From a presumed derivative of histemi; to set fast, i.e. to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or to confirm.
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.
καρδίας (kardias)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2588: Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.
ἀμέμπτους (amemptous)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 273: Blameless, free from fault or defect. Irreproachable.
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.
ἁγιωσύνῃ (hagiōsynē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 42: A holy or sanctified state. From hagios; sacredness.
ἔμπροσθεν (emprosthen)
Preposition
Strong's 1715: From en and pros; in front of (literally or figuratively) or time).
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
πατρὸς (patros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
παρουσίᾳ (parousia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3952: From the present participle of pareimi; a being near, i.e. Advent; physically, aspect.
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.
Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.
πάντων (pantōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
ἁγίων (hagiōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.
ἀμήν (amēn)
Hebrew Word
Strong's 281: Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely.
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