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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Thessalonians 4:3 For it is God's will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality;</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/52_1Th_04_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Thessalonians 4:3 - Living to Please God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For it is God's will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality;" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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<a href="/nlt/1_thessalonians/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. <a href="/esv/1_thessalonians/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; <a href="/bsb/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; <a href="/blb/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For this is the will of God, your sanctification: You are to abstain from sexual immorality; <a href="/kjv/1_thessalonians/4.htm">King James Bible</a> For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: <a href="/nkjv/1_thessalonians/4.htm">New King James Version</a> For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; <a href="/nasb_/1_thessalonians/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; <a href="/nasb/1_thessalonians/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; <a href="/nasb77/1_thessalonians/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; <a href="/lsb/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; <a href="/amp/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For this is the will of God, that you be sanctified [separated and set apart from sin]: that you abstain and back away from sexual immorality; <a href="/csb/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For this is God’s will, your sanctification: that you keep away from sexual immorality, <a href="/hcsb/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For this is God&#8217s will, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality, <a href="/asv/1_thessalonians/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication; <a href="/cev/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> God wants you to be holy, so don't be immoral in matters of sex. <a href="/erv/1_thessalonians/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication; <a href="/gwt/1_thessalonians/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> It is God's will that you keep away from sexual sin as a mark of your devotion to him. <a href="/gnt/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> God wants you to be holy and completely free from sexual immorality. <a href="/isv/1_thessalonians/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> For it is God's will that you be sanctified: You must abstain from sexual immorality. <a href="/msb/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For it is God?s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; <a href="/net/1_thessalonians/4.htm">NET Bible</a> For this is God's will: that you become holy, that you keep away from sexual immorality, <a href="/nheb/1_thessalonians/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, <a href="/wbt/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from lewdness. <a href="/wey/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For this is God's will--your purity of life, that you abstain from fornication; <a href="/web/1_thessalonians/4.htm">World English Bible</a> For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for this is the will of God—your sanctification: that you abstain from the whoredom, <a href="/blb/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For this is the will of God, your sanctification: You are to abstain from sexual immorality; <a href="/ylt/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for this is the will of God -- your sanctification; that ye abstain from the whoredom, <a href="/slt/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For this is the will of God, your consecration, that ye should keep away from fornication:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that you should abstain from fornication; <a href="/cpdv/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from fornication, <a href="/nabre/1_thessalonians/4.htm">New American Bible</a> This is the will of God, your holiness: that you refrain from immorality, <a href="/nrsvce/1_thessalonians/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from fornication;<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication: <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For this is the will of God: your holiness, and that you be separate from all fornication,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that you keep yourselves from lewdness; <a href="/godbey/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that you abstain from fornication; <a href="/haweis/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from whoredom; <a href="/mace/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and such is the will of God, that you should be holy, and avoid licentiousness; <a href="/wey/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For this is God's will--your purity of life, that you abstain from fornication; <a href="/worrell/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> For this is the will of God?even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication; <a href="/worsley/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For this is the will of God, even your sanctification: that ye should abstain from fornication, <a href="/parallel/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sgDUoqNjFio?start=456" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Living to Please God</a> …2For you know the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">it is</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God’s</a> <a href="/greek/2307.htm" title="2307: thelēma (N-NNS) -- An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.">will</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: Touto (DPro-NNS) -- This; he, she, it. ">that</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/38.htm" title="38: hagiasmos (N-NMS) -- From hagiazo; properly, purification, i.e. purity; concretely a purifier.">should be holy:</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymas (PPro-A2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">You</a> <a href="/greek/568.htm" title="568: apechesthai (V-PNM) -- To have in full, be far, it is enough. From apo and echo; to have out, i.e. Receive in full; to keep away, i.e. Be distant.">must abstain</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4202.htm" title="4202: porneias (N-GFS) -- Fornication, whoredom; met: idolatry. From porneuo; harlotry; figuratively, idolatry.">sexual immorality;</a> 4each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-18.htm">1 Corinthians 6:18-20</a> Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. / Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body. <a href="/ephesians/5-3.htm">Ephesians 5:3-5</a> But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. / Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. / For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. <a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Colossians 3:5</a> Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. <a href="/1_peter/1-14.htm">1 Peter 1:14-16</a> As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance. / But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” <a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1-2</a> Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. / Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. <a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a> Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. <a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a> The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. <a href="/1_corinthians/5-9.htm">1 Corinthians 5:9-11</a> I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. / I was not including the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. / But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. <a href="/2_corinthians/7-1.htm">2 Corinthians 7:1</a> Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. <a href="/1_john/3-3.htm">1 John 3:3</a> And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure. <a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">Matthew 5:27-28</a> You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/romans/6-19.htm">Romans 6:19</a> I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-2.htm">1 Corinthians 7:2</a> But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. <a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">1 Peter 2:11</a> Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. <a href="/leviticus/20-7.htm">Leviticus 20:7-8</a> Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am the LORD your God. / And you shall keep My statutes and practice them. I am the LORD who sanctifies you.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication:this.<a href="/1_thessalonians/5-18.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:18</a> In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.<a href="/psalms/40-8.htm">Psalm 40:8</a> I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.<a href="/psalms/143-10.htm">Psalm 143:10</a> Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.your.<a href="/1_thessalonians/4-4.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:4</a> That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;<a href="/1_thessalonians/5-23.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:23</a> And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.<a href="/john/17-17.htm">John 17:17-19</a> Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth… that.<a href="/matthew/15-19.htm">Matthew 15:19</a> For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:<a href="/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20,29</a> But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood… <a href="/romans/1-29.htm">Romans 1:29</a> Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/10-28.htm">Abstain</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-4.htm">Avoid</a> <a href="/philippians/2-13.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/colossians/3-22.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Fornication</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/3-3.htm">God's</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/3-13.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Immorality</a> <a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Lewdness</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-3.htm">Purity</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-1.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/7-1.htm">Sanctification</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-14.htm">Sanctified</a> <a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Sexual</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Unchastity</a> <a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Whoredom</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/3-3.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-22.htm">Abstain</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-22.htm">Avoid</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-5.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-16.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Fornication</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-7.htm">God's</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-4.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-18.htm">Immorality</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-3.htm">Lewdness</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-4.htm">Purity</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-7.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-4.htm">Sanctification</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-5.htm">Sanctified</a> <a href="/jude/1-7.htm">Sexual</a> <a href="/matthew/19-9.htm">Unchastity</a> <a href="/revelation/2-21.htm">Whoredom</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-9.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">1 Thessalonians 4</div>1. <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-1.htm">He exhorts them to go forward in all manner of godliness;</a> 6. <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-6.htm">to live holily and justly;</a> 9. <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-9.htm">to love one another;</a> 11. <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-11.htm">and quietly to follow their own business;</a> 13. <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-13.htm">and last of all, to sorrow moderately for the dead.</a> 17. <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-17.htm">followed by a brief description of the resurrection, and second coming of Christ to judgment.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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Holiness implies being set apart for God's purposes, living in a way that honors Him. In the Old Testament, Israel was called to be holy as God is holy (<a href="/leviticus/19-2.htm">Leviticus 19:2</a>), and this call is echoed in the New Testament for believers (<a href="/1_peter/1-15.htm">1 Peter 1:15-16</a>). Holiness involves moral purity and dedication to God's service. The Thessalonians, living in a pagan society with different moral standards, were reminded that their lives should reflect God's character. This call to holiness is not just a suggestion but a divine mandate, emphasizing that sanctification is part of God's will for every believer.You must abstain from sexual immorality; Sexual immorality, or "porneia" in Greek, encompasses a range of illicit sexual activities outside the bounds of biblical marriage. In the Greco-Roman world, sexual immorality was prevalent and often accepted as part of daily life, including practices like temple prostitution. The early church, however, upheld a counter-cultural standard based on Jewish moral teachings and the teachings of Jesus. Abstaining from sexual immorality is a recurring theme in Paul's letters (<a href="/1_corinthians/6-18.htm">1 Corinthians 6:18</a>, <a href="/ephesians/5-3.htm">Ephesians 5:3</a>), highlighting its importance in maintaining personal holiness and community integrity. This command is not merely about personal discipline but reflects a deeper theological truth: believers are temples of the Holy Spirit (<a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19-20</a>), and their bodies should honor God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> - The apostle who authored the letter to the Thessalonians, providing guidance and instruction to the early Christian community. 2. <a href="/topical/t/thessalonica.htm">Thessalonica</a> - A city in Macedonia where the church to whom Paul is writing is located. It was a significant urban center in the Roman Empire. 3. <a href="/topical/t/thessalonian_church.htm">Thessalonian Church</a> - The recipients of Paul's letter, a group of early Christians facing challenges in maintaining their faith amidst a pagan culture. 4. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> - The divine authority whose will is being communicated through Paul, emphasizing the importance of sanctification. 5. <a href="/topical/s/sexual_immorality.htm">Sexual Immorality</a> - A key issue addressed in this passage, referring to any sexual behavior outside the bounds of biblical teaching.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_sanctification.htm">Understanding Sanctification</a> Sanctification is a process of becoming more like Christ, set apart for God's purposes. It involves both a positional aspect (being declared holy through faith in Christ) and a progressive aspect (growing in holiness through the Holy Spirit's work). <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_purity.htm">The Call to Purity</a> Abstaining from sexual immorality is a clear directive from God. This involves avoiding any sexual conduct outside the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, as defined by Scripture. <a href="/topical/g/god's_will_for_our_lives.htm">God's Will for Our Lives</a> Understanding that sanctification is God's will helps believers prioritize their spiritual growth and moral conduct. It is not merely a suggestion but a divine mandate. <a href="/topical/c/cultural_challenges.htm">Cultural Challenges</a> The Thessalonian church faced a culture that was permissive of sexual immorality, much like today's society. Believers are called to stand firm in their convictions and live counter-culturally. <a href="/topical/e/empowerment_by_the_holy_spirit.htm">Empowerment by the Holy Spirit</a> Believers are not left to pursue sanctification in their own strength. The Holy Spirit empowers and guides them in living a life that pleases God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_thessalonians_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Thessalonians 4</a> <a href="/q/are_premarital_sex_acts_unclean.htm">Are premarital sexual relations considered unclean?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_chastity_and_celibacy_differ.htm">What distinguishes chastity from celibacy?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_sex_dreams.htm">What are the Bible's teachings on sexual dreams?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_a_christian_purity_ring.htm">What is a Christian purity ring?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) For.--The word further enforces the appeal to their memory: "Ye know what commandments . . . for this (you will recollect) is what God wants;" "a commandment given through the Lord Jesus," being, of course, identical with "God's will."Your sanctification.--In apposition to the word this. The mere conversion, justification, salvation of us are not the aim of God: He would have us holy. The general idea of sanctification passes however here, as the following clauses show, into the more limited sense of purification.Fornication.--The word is often used in late Greek for any kind of impurity, as, e.g., <a href="/1_corinthians/5-1.htm" title="It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.">1Corinthians 5:1</a>, of incest; but here it must be understood in its strict sense. To the Gentile mind, while the wickedness of adultery or incest was fully recognised, it was a novelty to be told that fornication was a "deadly sin;" hence the strange connection in which it stands in the Synodal letter to the Gentile churches (<a href="/acts/15-20.htm" title="But that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.">Acts 15:20</a>; <a href="/acts/15-29.htm" title="That you abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if you keep yourselves, you shall do well. Fare you well.">Acts 15:29</a>; <a href="/acts/21-25.htm" title="As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.">Acts 21:25</a>). This consideration also makes it easier to understand how St. Paul can praise these Gentile Thessalonians so heartily, although they need earnest correction on this vital point. It is a true instance of the sacerdotal metriopathy (or, compassionate consideration) towards the ignorant and deceived. (See <a href="/context/hebrews/5-1.htm" title="For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:">Hebrews 5:1-2</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_thessalonians/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - For this is the will of God. The phrase, "the will of God," has two significations in Scripture: the one is the determination of God - his decree; the other is his desire, that in which he delights - a will, however, which may be frustrated by the perversity of his creatures. It is in this latter sense that the word is here employed. Even your sanctification; complete consecration; holiness taken in its most general so. use. Our holiness is the great design of Christ's death, and is the revealed will of God. Some (Olshausen, Lunemann) restrict the term to moral purity, and consider the next clause as its explanation (comp. <a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1</a>). That ye should abstain from fornication; a vice fearfully prevalent among the heathen, and which, indeed, they hardly regarded as wrong. Especially it was the great sin of Corinth, from which the apostle wrote, the patron goddess of which city was Venus. <a href="/commentaries/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For γάρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. it is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. God’s Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. will θέλημα (thelēma) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2307.htm">Strong's 2307: </a> An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination. that Τοῦτο (Touto) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. you ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. should be holy: ἁγιασμὸς (hagiasmos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_38.htm">Strong's 38: </a> From hagiazo; properly, purification, i.e. purity; concretely a purifier. You ὑμᾶς (hymas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. must abstain ἀπέχεσθαι (apechesthai) Verb - Present Infinitive Middle <a href="/greek/strongs_568.htm">Strong's 568: </a> To have in full, be far, it is enough. From apo and echo; to have out, i.e. Receive in full; to keep away, i.e. Be distant. from ἀπὸ (apo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. sexual immorality; πορνείας (porneias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4202.htm">Strong's 4202: </a> Fornication, whoredom; met: idolatry. From porneuo; harlotry; figuratively, idolatry. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">NT Letters: 1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God: (1 Thess. 1 Thes. 1Th iTh i Th)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Thessalonians 4:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Thessalonians 4:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Thessalonians 4:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Thessalonians 4:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>