Page 25 - Pauline Epistles Student Textbook

What is man’s involvement in sanctification? Initially, it is the abstinence from sexual immorality
(v3b). Sexual immorality is derived from a Greek work, πορνείας (porneias). It is the same root word
for incest which even pagans did not tolerate (1 Cor. 5:1). Incest is sexual intercourse done among
people who are related to each other biologically. Paul uses the same word in reference to
fornication, the sexual intercourse committed among the unmarried people (1 Cor. 7:2). For the sin
of adultery, the same word is being used (Matt 15:19; Mark 7:21; 1 Cor. 6:9; Gal 5:19. All forms of
sexual sins are derived from the same word (John 8:41; Acts 15:20, 29; 21:25; Rom 1:29; 1 Cor. 6:13,
18; 2 Cor. 6:17; 12:21; Eph. 5:3). Harlotry and prostitution are derived from the same word as well
(Rev 2:14, 20, 21). We do not expect God to abstain from sexual immorality on our behalf, but He
has provided the platform for us to not only disdain sexual immorality but to realize complete
victory over it by obedience to God’s Word (to the believers at Thessalonica, instructions or
commands taught by Paul).

Secondly, that sanctification was not only the knowledge of controlling their own body but doing so
in holiness and honor (v4). What does that look like? It is self-restraint against lustful passion like
Gentiles who do not know God (v5). Contextually, these Gentiles are unregenerate and non-Jewish.
The fact that Paul did not use the Jews as example of those who have radical lustful passions suggest
that the exercise of lustful passions was usually associated with pagan worshippers who were usually
Gentiles. Internal evidence appears to support this view when Paul in description of the corollaries
of salvation argued that they “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thess.
1:9; cf. Acts 15:20). From some passages in the Old Testament, God commanded the children of
Israel to not intermarry for fear that they might be turned away from their God who “had brought
them up out of the land of Egypt” (Deut. 7:4-5; 1 Kgs .11:2; 2 Kgs. 17:8). So, Gentiles, who were then
regenerated, were aware about what Paul was admonishing them. He was calling them to forsake
their old way of life. That exhortation of controlling their own body in holiness was not only
supposed to be applied by the singles but everybody, married or unmarried.

Third, sanctification was also the act of not taking advantage of a brother or sister (v6). Verse 6b
gives light to meaning of v6a. The taking advantage of a brother could speculatively mean having an
affair with someone’s wife; or a sister having an affair with someone’s husband. That is sin which will
never go unpunished by the avenger. Paul declares that the Lord will handle such a situation and
will discipline the offenders.

There has been huge debate concerning interpretation of some phrases, “taking advantage of”
(Greek word, πλεονεκτεῖν [pleonektein]) and “in business affairs” (ἐν τῷ πράγματι [en tō
pragmati]). That has led to two interpretations. The defrauding that Paul wrote about was
concerned with brothers who were in business where one cheated the other. Few have sided with
that interpretation but the majority argue that the context had nothing to do with business matters.
The issue addressed by Paul related to sexual immorality, specifically, having an affair with
someone’s spouse.

Verse 7 reinforces the majority view by stating that God has called us to holy living and that the
rejection of these instructions is not the rejection of man but God who gives us His Holy Spirit. Paul
is exhorting us to hold fast to these instructions because they find their basis in God Himself (v8).

Love for Each Other and Leading a Quiet Life (1 Thess. 4:9-12)

9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have
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been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers
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throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live

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