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1 Thessalonians 4:5-9

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

5. Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6. That no [man] go beyond and defraud his brother in [any] matter: because that the Lord [is] the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. 9. But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

1 Thessalonians 4:5-9 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4:5

Theological / Devotional

Lust. Gr. pathos, “emotions,” good or bad, but in the NT only evil desires (Rom. 1:26; Col. 3:5).

Concupiscence. Gr. epithumia, “desire,” “craving,” “longing,” but in the NT generally evil desire, specifically, “lust” (see on Mark 4:19; Rom. 7:7). The phrase “lust of concupiscence” may thus be rendered, “passion of lust.” The close connection between 1 Thess. 4:4 and 5 supports the view that Paul is dealing with sexual aspects of marriage. In v. 4 he makes the positive approach; in v. 5 he stresses the attitude Christians should avoid. Though reared in an immoral atmosphere, they should not allow themselves to be tainted by that immorality.

Gentiles. Or, “heathen.” Since the Thessalonians themselves had been Gentiles, or heathen, they understood Paul’s references. But the fact that the apostle now clearly distinguishes them from the heathen would encourage them to maintain the distinction by refusing to indulge in immorality, as the Gentiles did.

Which know not God. See on Rom. 1:21, 28.

By SdaBc