Bible Strands
1 Thessalonians 4:3
For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality;
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Thessalonian church, continuing the instructions he gave them by the authority of the Lord Jesus. He addresses them directly regarding their conduct in light of that teaching.
The words — τοῦτο θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ (touto thelēma tou theou) translates literally as "this is the will of God," while ἁγιασμός (hagiasmos) means sanctification or holiness. The verse explicitly links God’s will to the state of being holy and the command to abstain from sexual immorality.
The thread — The concept of God’s will appears in 1 Peter 4:2, which contrasts living for human passions with living for God’s will. The call to holiness and transformation aligns with the instruction in Romans 12:2 to be transformed by the renewing of the mind.
Why it lands — The text commands readers to abstain from sexual immorality as a direct expression of God’s will. It requires concrete behavioral discipline rather than abstract spiritual aspiration.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 4:2 Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
- Romans 12:2 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.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
- Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
- Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
- Ephesians 5:3 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.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:4 each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
- Galatians 5:19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
- 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.