What does 1 Thessalonians 4:3 mean?

Explanation

1 Thessalonians 4:3 is a direct admonition to believers, focusing on the importance of living a life set apart for God, which is noted as God's will for them.

The term 'sanctification' refers to the process of becoming more holy, reflecting God’s nature.

It involves a moral cleansing and separation from sinful practices.

Abstaining from fornication is highlighted as a specific aspect of that sanctification.

Fornication, in this context, typically refers to sexual relations outside of the marriage covenant.

The verse implies that maintaining sexual purity is a key component of living a life that is pleasing to God.

Historical Context

The Apostle Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians to the early Christian church located in Thessalonica, a city in Macedonia (present-day Greece).

During the first century A.D., Thessalonica was a Roman province and had various rampant cultural practices that often conflicted with Christian teachings, including sexual immorality.

Given the pervasive nature of these practices, new Christians struggled to reconcile their newfound faith with the socially accepted norms.

Paul's instructions aim to guide them in aligning their lifestyle with their faith.

Theological Insights

Within Christian theology, the sanctification of believers is a pivotal concept. It denotes the transformation process that takes place in a person when they become a Christian, under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

From a Protestant perspective, sanctification is sometimes differentiated into positional sanctification, the state of being set apart for God at the point of salvation, and progressive sanctification, the ongoing spiritual growth towards ethical purity.

Catholic theology also emphasizes sanctification, linking it with sacramental grace and moral living. Abstinence from fornication and sexual purity are considered vital aspects of sanctification because they honor the sanctity of the marital union, seen as a holy institution established by God.

Practical Applications

1 Thessalonians 4:3 can be practically applied in a modern context by encouraging sexual purity and faithfulness within the bounds of marriage.

It also serves as a reminder for individuals to seek to live in a manner that aligns with God’s will, which involves separation from sinful habits and striving for moral excellence.

Modern applications also extend to thought life, media consumption, and relationships, advocating for integrity in all areas related to sexuality and purity.

Cross-References

• Ephesians 5:3 – "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;"
• 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 – "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. ...

Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

• Hebrews 13:4 – "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."

Language Study

The Greek word translated as "sanctification" is "ἁγιασμός" (hagiasmos), which signifies holiness or consecration. The imperative “abstain” translates from the Greek verb “ἀπέχομαι” (apechomai), which means to hold oneself back from something.

“Fornication” is derived from “πορνεία” (porneia), which encompasses various types of sexual immorality, not exclusively premarital sex, but also adultery, prostitution, and possibly other prohibited sexual acts.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Graeco-Roman society, sexual practices that are considered immoral by biblical standards were often commonplace and socially acceptable.

The early Christians therefore presented a countercultural stance.

Comparably, in various ancient religions and cultures, there were rites and rituals involving temple prostitution and sexual acts as a part of worship, which stood in stark contrast to Jewish and Christian teachings.

Scientific Perspectives

In contemporary sexual ethics, the emphasis on abstinence is sometimes challenged or viewed as outdated, especially by secular frameworks that focus on consent as the primary ethical criterion for sexual activity.

However, psychological and sociological studies have often highlighted the benefits of stable, committed relationships (e.g., marriage) for individual well-being, which can intersect with the biblical advocacy for sexual purity within such bonds.

Commentaries

Commentators from diverse backgrounds have examined this verse:

• John Stott, an evangelical theologian, emphasizes sanctification as God’s will for the Christian, highlighting sexual purity as a crucial expression of the believer’s holiness.
• William Barclay, a 20th-century Scottish theologian, points out the Greco-Roman culture's lax views on sexual morality, contrasting it with the early Christian church's ethical standards.
• Gordon D.

Fee, an American-Canadian theologian, suggests that sexual ethics were a prominent concern for the Apostle Paul, particularly as he addressed believers living in morally permissive societies.

• The Matthew Henry Commentary stresses the necessity of abstaining from all appearances of evil and the importance of self-control in the pursuit of sanctification.
• Theologian N.T.

Wright speaks of sanctification as the process that shapes not just individual Christian character but the corporate behavior of the church, using verses like this to call for community transformation and witness.