The general principle the Thessalonians were to keep in mind was that God"s purpose for all Christians is not impurity but purity. It is a life set apart from sin unto holiness (cf. Ephesians 2:10). [source][source][source]
Context Summary
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 - Called To Sanctification
The first paragraph of this chapter exhorts to purity, the second to industry, the third to expectation of the Second Advent. But the three are closely combined, because those who wait for the Lord will instinctively wear white robes. The body is compared to a vessel, and we must keep it clean for the Master's use, walking day by day so as to please Him. Before Enoch was translated, he had the testimony borne him that he had pleased God, Hebrews 11:5. It is God's will that we should be holy-the whole object of our redemption has this for its purpose. Therefore we ought to be holy, and if we ought we can, and if we can we must; and if we must we will! If you cannot possess yourself of your own nature, be possessed by the Holy Spirit. God giveth His Holy Spirit for this purpose.
No one must come in between husband and wife to defraud either of the lawful love which each should receive from the other. The home has been rescued and exalted by Christ, and the Christian Church must still be its custodian, not only inculcating the ideal, but revealing the sufficient power for its defense. [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Thessalonians 4
1He exhorts them to go forward in all manner of godliness; 6to live holily and justly; 9to love one another; 11and quietly to follow their own business; 13and last of all, to sorrow moderately for the dead 17followed by a brief description of the resurrection, and second coming of Christ to judgment
Greek Commentary for 1 Thessalonians 4:7
Not for uncleanness, but in sanctification [επι ακαταρσιαι αλλ εν αγιασμωι] Sharp contrast made still sharper by the two prepositions επι epi (on the basis of) and εν en (in the sphere of). God has “called” us all for a decent sex life consonant with his aims and purposes. It was necessary for Paul to place this lofty ideal before the Thessalonian Christians living in a pagan world. It is equally important now. [source]
Unto uncleanness [ἐπὶ ἀκαθαρσίᾳ] Better, for uncleanness; ἐπὶ denoting aim or intention. The intention is viewed as the basis of the act ( ἐπὶ upon). Comp. Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 2:10. [source]
In sanctification [ἐν] Note the change of preposition. Sanctification is the characteristic life-element of the Christian, in which he is to live. Comp. in peace, 1 Corinthians 7:15; in hope, Ephesians 4:4. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Thessalonians 4:7
Romans 6:19Holiness [ἁγιασμόν] Rev., sanctification. For the kindred adjective ἅγιος holysee on saints, Acts 26:10. Ἁγιασμός is used in the New Testament both of a process - the inauguration and maintenance of the life of fellowship with God, and of the resultant state of sanctification. See 1 Thessalonians 4:3,1 Thessalonians 4:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 12:14. It is difficult to determine which is meant here. The passages in Thessalonians, Timothy, and Hebrews, are cited by interpreters on both sides. As in Romans 6:22it appears that sanctification contemplates a further result (everlasting life), it is perhaps better to understand it as the process. Yield your members to righteousness in order to carry on the progressive work of sanctification, perfecting holiness (1 Corinthians 7:1). [source]
1 Corinthians 7:15Hath called us to peace [ἐν εἰρήνη κέκληκεν ἡμᾶς] Rev., correctly, in peace. Compare Galatians 1:6, “into the grace” ( ἐν χάριτι , Rev., in ); Ephesians 4:4, in one hope ( ἐν μιᾷ ἐλπίδι ); 1 Thessalonians 4:7, in sanctification ( ἐν ἁγιασμῷ ). Denoting the sphere or element of the divine calling. Enslavement in the marriage relation between the believer and the unbeliever is contrary to the spirit and intent of this calling. [source]
Galatians 5:13Ye were called for freedom [επ ελευτεριαι εκλητητε] The same point as in Galatians 5:1 made plainer by the use of επ ep' (on the basis of, for the purpose of). See note on 1 Thessalonians 4:7 for this use of επι epi [source]
Ephesians 4:4In one hope of your calling [ἐν μιᾷ ἐλπίδι τῆς κλήσεως ὑμῶν] In, not by. Their calling took place in the one hope as its moral element or sphere, since they were called to fellowship with Christ who is the one object and the one inspirer of hope. Compare called in peace, 1 Corinthians 7:15; in sanctification, 1 Thessalonians 4:7(Rev.). Hope here is not the object but the principle of hope. The phrase hope of your calling signifies hope which is characteristic of God's call to salvation, and is engendered by it. See on Ephesians 1:18. [source]
Ephesians 1:4Holy and without blame [ἁγίους καὶ ἀμώμους] The positive and negative aspects of christian life. See on Colossians 1:22. Rev., without blemish. The reference is to moral rather than to forensic righteousness. Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:7. [source]
Hebrews 12:14Follow after peace [ειρηνην διωκετε] Give peace a chase as if in a hunt. With all men Like Paul‘s use of διωκω diōkō with ειρηνην eirēnēn in Romans 14:19 and his to εχ υμων ex humōn (so far as proceeds from you) in Hebrews 12:18. This lesson the whole world needs including Christians. Sanctification Consecration as in 1 Thessalonians 4:7; Romans 6:19, etc. Without which Ablative case of the relative with χωρις chōris (post positive here). About seeing God compare Matthew 5:8 where we have καταροι katharoi f0). [source]
What do the individual words in 1 Thessalonians 4:7 mean?
Greek Commentary for 1 Thessalonians 4:7
Sharp contrast made still sharper by the two prepositions επι epi (on the basis of) and εν en (in the sphere of). God has “called” us all for a decent sex life consonant with his aims and purposes. It was necessary for Paul to place this lofty ideal before the Thessalonian Christians living in a pagan world. It is equally important now. [source]
Better, for uncleanness; ἐπὶ denoting aim or intention. The intention is viewed as the basis of the act ( ἐπὶ upon). Comp. Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 2:10. [source]
Note the change of preposition. Sanctification is the characteristic life-element of the Christian, in which he is to live. Comp. in peace, 1 Corinthians 7:15; in hope, Ephesians 4:4. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Thessalonians 4:7
Rev., sanctification. For the kindred adjective ἅγιος holysee on saints, Acts 26:10. Ἁγιασμός is used in the New Testament both of a process - the inauguration and maintenance of the life of fellowship with God, and of the resultant state of sanctification. See 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 12:14. It is difficult to determine which is meant here. The passages in Thessalonians, Timothy, and Hebrews, are cited by interpreters on both sides. As in Romans 6:22it appears that sanctification contemplates a further result (everlasting life), it is perhaps better to understand it as the process. Yield your members to righteousness in order to carry on the progressive work of sanctification, perfecting holiness (1 Corinthians 7:1). [source]
Rev., correctly, in peace. Compare Galatians 1:6, “into the grace” ( ἐν χάριτι , Rev., in ); Ephesians 4:4, in one hope ( ἐν μιᾷ ἐλπίδι ); 1 Thessalonians 4:7, in sanctification ( ἐν ἁγιασμῷ ). Denoting the sphere or element of the divine calling. Enslavement in the marriage relation between the believer and the unbeliever is contrary to the spirit and intent of this calling. [source]
Very often applied to God by Paul. See Romans 8:30; Romans 9:11; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 7:15; Galatians 1:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:121 Thessalonians 4:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:14. The persuasion to subject yourselves to the Jewish law does not proceed from him who called you to freedom in Christ. [source]
Better, for freedom. See on unto uncleanness, 1 Thessalonians 4:7. Ἑπὶ marks the intention. [source]
The same point as in Galatians 5:1 made plainer by the use of επ ep' (on the basis of, for the purpose of). See note on 1 Thessalonians 4:7 for this use of επι epi [source]
In, not by. Their calling took place in the one hope as its moral element or sphere, since they were called to fellowship with Christ who is the one object and the one inspirer of hope. Compare called in peace, 1 Corinthians 7:15; in sanctification, 1 Thessalonians 4:7(Rev.). Hope here is not the object but the principle of hope. The phrase hope of your calling signifies hope which is characteristic of God's call to salvation, and is engendered by it. See on Ephesians 1:18. [source]
The positive and negative aspects of christian life. See on Colossians 1:22. Rev., without blemish. The reference is to moral rather than to forensic righteousness. Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:7. [source]
Give peace a chase as if in a hunt. With all men Like Paul‘s use of διωκω diōkō with ειρηνην eirēnēn in Romans 14:19 and his to εχ υμων ex humōn (so far as proceeds from you) in Hebrews 12:18. This lesson the whole world needs including Christians. Sanctification Consecration as in 1 Thessalonians 4:7; Romans 6:19, etc. Without which Ablative case of the relative with χωρις chōris (post positive here). About seeing God compare Matthew 5:8 where we have καταροι katharoi f0). [source]