What is the context?
After many commands, Paul prays that God Himself will make the believers completely holy and preserve them blameless at Jesus’ coming. The prayer gathers the whole life of the congregation into its hope for the future.
God’s faithfulness answers the question of how this can be accomplished. The assurance does not make the preceding commands pointless. It places the believers’ obedience and growth within dependence on the One who calls them.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Westminster Confession 13 describes holiness growing through the Word and Spirit while remaining imperfect in this life. Wesley’s notes emphasize complete holiness and read the promise alongside the warning not to quench the Spirit. These readings differ about the fullness of holiness attainable now; both treat God as the one who makes His people holy.
The USCCB note understands spirit, soul, and body as emphasizing the whole person rather than offering a philosophical division into parts. Wesley also rejects treating the three terms as three natural components. The prayer itself seeks preservation of the entire person.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.