What does 1 Thessalonians 4:5 mean?

Explanation

1 Thessalonians 4:5 calls upon Christians to differentiate themselves from people who do not know God, specifically in the realm of sexual behavior.

The verse admonishes believers not to engage in sexual sin with a selfish or passionate desire (concupiscence), which is a characteristic Paul attributes to Gentiles, who are here depicted as people without knowledge of God's will and laws.

This verse underlines the expectation for Christians to live according to a higher standard of morality, especially concerning sexual purity.

Historical Context

The first letter to the Thessalonians is one of the earliest written by the Apostle Paul, around AD 50–51.

This epistle addressed the Christian community in Thessalonica, a bustling seaport and capital of the Roman province of Macedonia.

During this period, Gentile (non-Jewish) societies often had lenient attitudes towards sexual behavior, with practices that early Christians found incompatible with their faith.

Thus, the encouragement for sexual purity had important social and religious implications for the young church in a highly sexualized pagan environment.

Theological Insights

The verse contrasts Christian ethics with that of the surrounding Gentile culture.

From a theological standpoint, it implies that moral behavior is intricately linked with knowledge of God.

This implies that the sinfulness of the acts is rooted not merely in the acts themselves but also in the ignorance of God's will.

Some Christian traditions view this verse as a call to sanctification, a process of becoming holy and set apart for God's purposes. It also speaks to the Christian understanding of the body not only as a vessel for the self but as a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Practical Applications

For contemporary Christians, this verse serves as a reminder to maintain sexual purity and to resist societal pressures that may encourage promiscuity or sexual immorality.

It encourages believers to base their moral decisions on scriptural teachings rather than on popular or prevailing societal norms.

The verse can also inspire believers to seek a deep and personal knowledge of God, which is portrayed as the foundation for virtuous living.

Cross-References

• Ephesians 4:17-18: "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind."
• 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."

• 1 Peter 1:14-16: "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, "concupiscence" is derived from the word "πάθος" (pathos), which can mean passion, intense desire, or emotion, often with a negative connotation when used in moral contexts.

The term "Gentiles" translates from "ἔθνη" (ethnē), meaning nations or people groups, typically referring to non-Jewish people.

"Know not" is from "οἴδατε" (oidate), which indicates a lack of knowledge or recognition, suggesting not merely an absence of information but an absence of personal familiarity or relationship with God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The Greco-Roman culture at the time had multiple deities associated with various aspects of life, including sexuality.

Practices such as temple prostitution and sexual rites were not uncommon and stood in stark contrast to Jewish and early Christian sexual ethics.

In this way, Paul's exhortation presents a distinct countercultural stance with an emphasis on sexual behavior as a reflection of one's relationship with God.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science emphasizes the complexities of human sexuality, including biological, psychological, and social aspects. The understanding of sexual behavior from a scientific viewpoint often differs from the theological approach, which might consider the spiritual and moral implications.

While science can inform about the consequences of sexual behavior on physical and mental health, 1 Thessalonians 4:5 calls for decisions about sexual conduct to be shaped by spiritual convictions.

Commentaries

Commentators often focus on the moral and ethical demands that Paul places on the Thessalonian Christians.

William Barclay notes that the Greek world accepted lax moral standards, which Paul rejects.

He emphasizes the Christian conception of the body as something that must be used for God's glory.

The John MacArthur Study Bible comments on the phrase "which know not God" as the key issue, indicating that true knowledge of God brings about a transformed life, including sexual purity.

Matthew Henry's Commentary expounds that the apostle's instructions were counter to the common behavior of the times, emphasizing the call for purity as a distinguishing mark of Christians.