In this article, I will first interpret 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, including discerning the main point and providing an outline of the passage. Then I will show how the passage can be applied to modern Christians, while concluding with a prayer that is based on the passage.
1 Thessalonians 4:1–8
“1Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.”
1 Thessalonians 4:1–8
Interpretation of 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8
Topic and Main Point
That a new major section begins at 1 Thessalonians 4:1 is clear from the language used:
- “Additionally then . . .” (CSB)
- “Finally then . . .” (ESV, NASB, NET. NRSV)
- “Furthermore then . . .” (KJV)
- “As for other matters . . .” (NIV)
Such strong transitionary language indicates that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy are beginning a new major section in the letter. This is confirmed by the tonal and content changes in 1 Thessalonians 4–5. There are a lot more commands given throughout chapters 4–5, whereas there were no commands in the first three chapters of the letter, which were primarily thanksgivings and reminiscences.
The topic of 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 is living (“walking”) a life that pleases God. We know this is the topic for two reasons. First, the terms “living” and “pleasing God” are found in the main clause of the passage, which is at the beginning of the passage (v 1). Second, the content of the passage is centred on living as a Christian that pleases God.
The main point of 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 is: continue living a life that pleases God as you were taught (v 1). Verse 1 can seem somewhat convoluted upon a first reading. However, upon closer inspection, the apostles’ point can easily be determined. The main verbs, and indeed the main clause, are found at the beginning of the verse: “we ask and urge you.” Now that we know the apostles are asking and urging something from the Thessalonians, all we need to do is discern what they are asking and urging them.
Technically, what is being asked and urged of the Thessalonians is that they “do so more and more” (end of verse 1). It is the middle of the verse that states of what it is they are to do more and more: “how you ought to walk (or ‘live’) and to please God.” Thus, the apostles are asking and urging the Thessalonians that they live and please God more and more as the apostles instructed them (notice verse 1 also says, “as you received from us [the apostles] how you ought to walk . . .”).
Because of the strong language, such as “we urge you” and “do so more and more,” the request is a command put politely. As such, I have chosen to word the main point as a command: continue living a life that pleases God as you were taught. The rest of the passage (vss 2–8) expands and explains how and why the Thessalonian Christians are to live and please the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:1–8
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy give three supporting reasons for the Thessalonians to continue living a life that pleases God in the manner that they were taught by the apostles.
- The Thessalonians know what commands the apostles gave (v 2).
- The will of God (v 3).
- God has called “us” in holiness (v 7).
The evidence that these three reasons are supporting the main point of the passage is found at the beginning of verses 2, 3, and 7. Each of these three verses begins with a causal “For,” stating a reason the Thessalonians should continue living a life that pleases God in the manner that they were taught by the apostles. Most of the English translations that are more word-for-word, such as the ESV, KJV, NASB, NET, and NRSV begin verses 2, 3, and 7 with “For.” Other versions, such as the NIV, omit one or more of them.
Further evidence that a new supporting reason is found in verses 2, 3, and 7 is that each of these verses begin a new sentence in many of the more word-for-word translations, such as the ESV, KJV, NASB, and NRSV (note that verse 2 is a sentence, verses 3-6 is a single sentence, and verse 7 is a sentence). Let’s now turn our attention to the first supporting reason.
1 Thessalonians 4:2
The first supporting reason for the Thessalonians to continue living and pleasing God in the manner that they were taught by the apostles is the commands that the apostles gave to the Thessalonians came from Jesus: “For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus” (v 2). The apostles’ point is clear; the commands of which they are reminding the Thessalonians are not the apostles’ commands or inventions. Rather, the commands came directly from Jesus himself who is “the Lord.” The reminder that Jesus is the Lord is further motivation for the Thessalonians to continue doing these commands “more and more.” This point becomes important for contemporary believers when applying Scripture. The commands are not just the apostles’ musings or applications of the gospel as they see it. Rather, the apostles’ commands are in reality Jesus’ commands for his (Jesus’) disciples.
1 Thessalonians 4:3–6
The second supporting reason for the Thessalonians to continue living and pleasing God in the manner that they were taught by the apostles is the will of God: “For this is the will of God” (v 3). The will of God is “your sanctification” (some versions have “holiness”) (v 3). The phrase “your sanctification” is in apposition to “will of God,” explaining what the will of God is. Most English Bible versions clue their reader into this fact by putting a comma between “will of God” and “your sanctification.” The NIV has taken out all ambiguity by rewording the sentence to say, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified.”
A logical question that follows identifying the will of God as “your sanctification/holiness” is “what do the apostles mean by sanctification or holiness?” Thankfully, the apostles answer that question. In verses 3b–6, the apostles clarify what they mean by the will of God being your sanctification with three explanatory statements.
Based on the punctuation and grammatical clues in the biblical text, the three explanatory statements that clarify and explain what is meant by “your sanctification/holiness” are:
- “that you abstain from sexual immorality” (v 3b). Sexual immorality in the Bible refers to any sexual act outside of the marriage between one man and one woman. Thus, sexual immorality encompasses things such as adultery, heterosexual sex outside of marriage between one man and one woman, “fooling around” outside of marriage, homosexual sex, rape, and bestiality. The focus on sexual immorality should not be surprising because it was a major focus for the early church (see Acts 15, especially verses 22–29).
- “that each of you know how to control his own body . . .” (v 4–5). This second explanatory statement is related to the first. “To control his own body” refers to controlling or gaining mastery over one’s body, specifically one’s sexual drive and desires as evidenced in the clarifying statement “not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God” (v 5). Some translations interpret “body” as wife, suggesting the apostles are telling the male Christians to acquire a wife (see RSV). This interpretation, however, is in the minority amongst biblical scholars. Other translations, such as the NASB and KJV, do not interpret verse 4, opting to translate it more literally: “that each of you know how to possess his own vessel” (NASB).
- “that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter . . .” (v 6). In the final explanatory statement, the apostles move from focusing on “you” to the Christian’s “brother,” which is a reference to Christian siblings, whether male or female. To live a holy life, believers need to abstain from sexual immorality, control their own body (i.e., sexual drive), and lastly not sin against or take advantage of their fellow Christian “in this matter,” referring back to sexual immorality. Thus, it is God’s will that each believer live a holy life by not committing sexual immorality with another Christian, which is both sinful and taking advantage of that person.
In short, the will of God is for believers to be holy, which is possible by living a sexually pure life as the Bible understands sexual purity.
1 Thessalonians 4:7
The third supporting reason for the Thessalonians to continue living and pleasing God in the manner that they were taught by the apostles is that God has called “us” in holiness (v 7). I cover what is meant by “holiness” in the section below entitled “Holiness in 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8” (click HERE to jump to that section).
1 Thessalonians 4:8
Verse 8 begins with “Therefore, whoever disregards this . . . .” The demonstrative pronoun “this” refers to all that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy have said between verses 1–7. Specifically, “this” refers to what the apostles have commanded about living a life that pleases God, which is that (1) they abstain from sexual immorality, (2) control their own bodies, and (3) not transgress or take advantage of their Christian siblings. The NIV is the most helpful here in that it adds the word “instruction” to make clear what the antecedent of “this” is: “Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction . . . .”
Verse 8 is inferential, evidenced by the particle that begins the verse: “Therefore” (ESV, KJV, NIV, NRSV), “Consequently” (CSB, NET), “So” (NASB). The content of verse 8, specifically identifying the antecedent to the demonstrative pronoun “this,” also helps determine that verse 8 is inferential. Thus, verse 8 draws out an inference from all that has been said from verses 1–7.
The inference is a warning. If anyone disregards or rejects the teaching and commands of the apostles, specially what was said in verses 1–7, then that person has not disregarded or rejected man, but God. The danger of disregarding God was given in verse 6 when the apostles state that God is an avenger (or “punisher”) “in this matter” (i.e., transgressing and taking advantage of one’s Christian sibling).
Holiness in 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8
The theme of holiness is prominent throughout 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8. This theme is somewhat distorted by translations that translate the Greek noun ἁγιασμός as “sanctification” instead of “holiness.” Although the English term “sanctification” is certainly related to holiness, not all readers of the Bible will know this and see the connection between the holiness language. One version that is consistent in its translation of the holiness language in 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 is the NET. Read the following NET translation of verses 3–8 and note the highlighted holiness words:
“3For this is God’s will: that you become holy (ἁγιασμός), that you keep away from sexual immorality, 4that each of you know how to possess his own body in holiness (ἁγιασμός) and honor, 5not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God. 6In this matter no one should violate the rights of his brother or take advantage of him, because the Lord is the avenger in all these cases, as we also told you earlier and warned you solemnly. 7For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness (ἁγιασμός). 8Consequently the one who rejects this is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives his Holy (ἅγιος) Spirit to you.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3–8 (NET)
As you will notice, the first three uses of “holy” are from the exact same Greek noun, ἁγιασμός. The final use of “holy” in verse 8 is from the corresponding adjective, ἅγιος.
Noting the four holiness words helps us better understand the passage and God’s will for the Thessalonians and for all Christians. God’s will for the Thessalonians and for all Christians is their holiness, that they be holy (v 3). This should not surprise the Christian because both the Old Testament and the New Testament is clear that God’s people should be holy because he is holy (Lev 11:44–45; 19:1–2; 1 Pet 1:14–16).
To support the claim that God’s will for his people is their holiness, the apostles remind the Thessalonians that God did not call them “for impurity, but in holiness” (v 7). The two prepositions, “for” (ἐπί) and “in” (ἐν), are notoriously difficult to interpret. The preposition ἐπί can indicate either that God did not call us on the basis of our uncleanness/impurity (or because we were unclean) or it could indicate that God did not call us for the purpose of uncleanness/impurity. Most English translations opt for purpose as is clearly seen in the NASB which includes the word “purpose.” The preposition ἐν can indicate either that God has called us for the purpose of being holy (CSB, KJV, NIV) or that God has called us into the sphere of holiness in which God’s people are then able to become holy (ESV, NASB, NET, NRSV). Regardless of the possibilities, verse 7 is clear that God’s people should be holy because God has called them to holiness, thus enabling them to be holy.
Because God’s will is for his people to be holy and he has enabled them to be holy by calling them for/in holiness, God’s people should control their bodies and conduct their sexual practices “in holiness,” meaning according to God’s standard of holiness, which would include abstaining from sexual immorality (v 3b), not transgressing one’s Christian sibling (v 6), and presumably including all other sexual ethics expounded upon in Scripture, such as divorce and remarriage, which Jesus connects to sexual immorality under certain circumstance (see Matt 5:31–32; 19:1–12; Mark 10:1–12; Luke 16:18).
Finally, the apostles emphasise that God is the one who gives the Holy Spirit (lit. “his Spirit who is Holy”) in their warning at the end of the passage (v 8). The warning is that if the Thessalonians reject the apostles’ teaching they are in fact rejecting God “who gives his Spirit who is Holy to you.” The warning suggests that the rejection of God is also a rejection of the Holy Spirit, who is given to believers to help them attain the holiness that God requires of them.
Thus, one can summarize the theme of holiness in 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 as follows. God’s will is for all his people to be holy. To enable his people to be holy, God has called them “in holiness” and has given them his Spirit who is Holy. As such, God’s people must live their lives according to God’s holy standards, especially in the realm of sexual conduct.
Summary of 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy urge the Thessalonians to continue living a life that pleases God by obeying the commands of God that came through them, which is to live holy lives by abstaining from all sexual immorality, by controlling their own bodies in holiness, and by not transgressing or taking advantage of their Christian siblings through lack of control and engagement in illicit sexual conduct.
Another helpful way of summarizing a passage is by producing an outline. An outline can help you remember the main points and the argument of a passage at a glance and is a useful tool for teaching a passage.
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy urge the Thessalonians to continue living lives that please God (v 1)
A. Because the Thessalonians know what commands the apostles gave them (v 2)
B. Because the will of God is that the Thessalonians be holy (v 3a)
1. That the Thessalonians abstain from sexual immorality (v 3b)
2. That the Thessalonians control their own body/sexual desires (v 4–5)
3. That the Thessalonians not transgress or take advantage of their Christian
siblings (v 6)
C. Because God has called “us” in holiness (v7)
D. Because if the Thessalonians do not continue living lives that please God as the apostles
command them, they are disregarding God himself (v 8)
Application of 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 to Modern Christians
Beginning in chapter 4 and continuing to the end of the letter, applying 1 Thessalonians to modern Christians becomes a lot easier. This is primarily because most of 1 Thessalonians 4–5 contain commands and exhortations to the Thessalonian believers, something that is missing from chapters 1–3. Since the Thessalonian believers are located in the same place in salvation history as modern believers, the commands and exhortations to the Thessalonians can be applied to modern believers at a 1:1 ratio (i.e., exactly what is commanded of the Thessalonians is also commanded of modern believers) unless there is something in the text that limits it only to the Thessalonian believers, their time, or the ancient Mediterranean culture. In short, because both the Thessalonian believers and modern believers are (1) disciples of Jesus, (2) under the New Covenant, (3) members of the Church, and (4) members of the kingdom of God, what is commanded of the Thessalonian believers is commanded of modern believers. If you want to know more about how to apply the Bible, see my article on application HERE.
In light of the above, we modern Christians must do the three things exhorted of the Thessalonians in order to live lives the please God and conform to the will of God for his people, which is holiness. Modern Christians must:
- Avoid sexual immorality (v 3b), such as adultery, heterosexual sex outside of marriage between one man and one woman, “fooling around” outside of marriage, homosexual sex, bestiality, rape, divorce for unsanctioned reasons, and remarriage for unsanctioned reasons.
- Control our own bodies (i.e., sexual desires) in holiness and honour (v 4–5), which essentially means to limit sex and sexual acts to marriage between one man and one woman.
- Not transgress or take advantage of our Christian siblings (“brothers”) in our sexual conduct (v 6), which essentially means to not partake in any sexual act with anyone outside of marriage between one man and one woman.
On a personal note, it grieves me deeply that many modern Western churches do not teach or preach much about sexual ethics anymore, including divorce and remarriage. As one who teaches at a Christian College, I am always surprised at how little my students know about what the Bible says regarding sexual ethics, divorce, and remarriage. This is truly a shame because the Bible takes sexual ethics very seriously. As we see in 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, a Christian will never be able to live a holy life and live a life that fully pleases God if he or she is not sexually pure.
Prayer Based on 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8
To pray 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, we need to ask the Lord to enable us to be sexually pure throughout the remainder of our lives so that we are holy and will lives that please God. It is also possible that you have not been sexually pure throughout your life and have engaged in sexual immorality or are currently engaging in sexual immorality. As such, you should also pray a prayer of repentance now that Scripture has alerted you to the will of God for your life. I will combine these two prayers into one.
Dear God, upon discovering that your will for my life and the life of all your people is holiness, I acknowledge that I have not lived a holy life as described and defined in your Word. I have engaged in sexual immorality and by doing so have lacked control over my body, behaved like a non-Christian (a Gentile), and have transgressed and taken advantage of those with whom I have engaged in illicit sexual conduct. Please forgive me for these grievous sins. Please do not punish me for these sins, even though I deserve such punishment. Lord, I commit to live a holy life that is pleasing to you from this day forward. No longer will I engage in sexual immorality of any kind; help me to avoid it and to flee from it. No longer will I give my body over to lustful passions; help me to control my body in holiness and honour. No longer will I transgress and take advantage of my Christian siblings; help me to love them. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.