1 Thessalonians 3:13
What does 1 Thessalonians 3:13 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 3:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Thessalonians 3:13 means
Paul names the goal of his prayer: that the Lord would make their hearts firm, blameless in holiness, before God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His holy ones. Holiness here is not outward show but inner establishment—a heart set, strengthened, and kept pure by God’s power. The horizon is eschatological: Christ will return, and believers must be ready to stand in His presence without reproach. Love (verse 12) and holiness (verse 13) belong together, for love purifies motives and holiness shapes love. The mention of Jesus’ coming keeps the church oriented toward hope and accountability, anchoring daily growth in the certainty of His return.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000to the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
KJV
King James Version · 1611To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901to the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that your hearts may be strong and free from all sin before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862to the establishing your hearts blameless in sanctification before our God and Father, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752To confirm your hearts without blame, in holiness, before God and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Amen.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890in order to the confirming of your hearts unblamable in holiness before ourGod and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Context
This closing verse completes the prayer sequence that began in verse 11. After asking for a way to meet them and for abounding love, Paul prays for holiness that will endure to the end. The focus widens from present needs to final readiness at the coming of our Lord Jesus. It ties the chapter together: pastoral concern (verses 1–5), joy in perseverance (verses 6–8), thanksgiving and intercession (verses 9–10), and now a vision of established hearts prepared for Christ’s appearing.
v.12and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you;
v.13This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 5:10
And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you.
- Jude 1:24
Now unto him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of his glory without blemish in exceeding joy,
- 2 Thessalonians 2:1
Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him;
- Jude 1:14
And to these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones,
- 1 Thessalonians 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?
- 2 Thessalonians 2:16
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,
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