Deeper Reflection
PAUL PRAYS FOR THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE THESSALONIANS (1 Thess 5:23). A framework for biblical understanding of sanctification will be helpful.We are to walk in sanctification. Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to “abstain from sexual immorality”, as there were some who had yielded to their sexual passions in a way that characterised “those who do not know God” (1 Thess 4:3-5).⁴⁴ The ground for sexual purity is God “has called us in holiness” (1 Thess 4:7). The holy God has redeemed us into a relationship with Him and this relationship is a holy relationship.Our human part to walk in sanctification is not meant to be the starting point in God’s calling us to holiness. The starting point is God has sanctified us in Christ. This is what God says in His Word: “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 6:11); “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb 10:10); “for by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Heb 10:14). This is foundational in our holy relationship with God when we are cleansed from sin and made fit for the holy presence of God.⁴⁵But ultimately, God is the source of our sanctification. It is “the God of peace Himself” who sanctifies us (1 Thess 5:23), even when we in obedience walk in holiness. The intensive pronoun, “Himself ”, lays stress on God’s role in our sanctification rather than our human ability and effort.⁴⁶

---

⁴⁴ Gene L. Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Apollos, 2002), 187 ⁴⁵ F. F. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Eerdmans, 1964), 236 ⁴⁶ Jeffrey A. D. Weima, 1-2 Thessalonians, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Baker Academic, 2014), 417