1 Thessalonians 4 · Verse 3

1 Thessalonians 4:3

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1 Thessalonians 4:3, King James Version

1 Thessalonians 4:3 in other translations

BSBFor it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality;
WEBFor this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality,
ASVFor this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication;
YLTfor this is the will of God--your sanctification; that ye abstain from the whoredom,
DARBYFor this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication;
BBEFor the purpose of God for you is this: that you may be holy, and may keep yourselves from the desires of the flesh;
WebsterFor this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from lewdness.

What does 1 Thessalonians 4:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. For--enforcing the assertion that his "commandments" were "by (the authority of) the Lord Jesus" (1Th 4:2). Since "this is the will of God," let it be your will also. fornication--not regarded as a sin at all among the heathen, and so needing the more to be denounced (Ac 15:20).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification. It is the will or command of God that you should be holy. This does not refer to the purpose or decree of God, and does not mean that he intended to make them holy; but it means that it was his command that they should be holy. It was also true that it was agreeable to the Divine will or purpose that they should be holy, and that he meant to use such an influence as to secure this; but this is not the truth taught here. This text, therefore, should not be brought as a proof that God intends to make his people holy, or that they are sanctified. It is a proof only that he requires holiness. The word here rendered sanctification αγιασμος is not used in the Greek classics, but is several times found in the New Testament. It is rendered holiness, Rom 6:19,22, 1Thes 4:7, 1Timm 2:15; Heb 12:14; and sanctification, 1Cor 1:30, 1Thes 4:3,4; 2Thes 2:13, 1Pet 1:2. Rom 6:19: 1Cor 1:30. It means here purity of life, and particularly abstinence from those vices which debase and degrade the soul. Sanctification consists in two things,

(1.) in "ceasing to do evil;" and

(2.) in "learning to do well." Or in other words, the first work of sanctification is in overcoming the propensities to evil in our nature, and checking and subduing the unholy habits which we had formed before we became Christians; the second part of the work consists in cultivating the positive principles of holiness in the soul.

That ye should abstain from fornication. A vice which was freely indulged among the heathen, and to which, from that fact, and from their own former habits, they were particularly exposed. On the fact that they were thus exposed, and on the reasons for these solemn commands on the subject, Acts 15:20; 1Cor 6:18.

(c) "ye should abstain" 1Cor 6:15,18

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 This is the will of God, even your sanctification - God has called you to holiness; he requires that you should be holy; for without holiness none can see the Lord. This is the general calling, but in it many particulars are included. Some of these he proceeds to mention; and it is very likely that these had been points on which he gave them particular instructions while among them. That ye should abstain from fornication - The word πορνεια, as we have seen in other places, includes all sorts of uncleanness; and it was probably this consideration that induced several MSS., some versions and fathers, to add here πασης, all. Directions of this kind were peculiarly necessary among the Greeks, and indeed heathens in general, who were strongly addicted to such vices.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

To abide in the faith of the gospel is not enough, we must abound in the work of faith. The rule according to which all ought to walk and act, is the commandments given by the Lord Jesus Christ. Sanctification, in the renewal of their souls under the influences of the Holy Spirit, and attention to appointed duties, constituted the will of God respecting them. In aspiring after this renewal of the soul unto holiness…

Read the full comment on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 →

1 Thessalonians 4:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

τοῦτοtoutoThisG3778
γάρgarforG1063
ἐστινestinisG1510
θέλημαthelēma[the] willG2307
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦ,theouof God,G2316
ὁhotheG3588
ἁγιασμὸςhagiasmossanctificationG38
ὑμῶν,humōnof you:G4771
ἀπέχεσθαιapechesthaiTo abstainG568
ὑμᾶςhumasyou [are]G4771
ἀπὸapofromG575
τῆςtēs<the>G3588
πορνείας·porneiassexual immorality;G4202

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 4:3

  • 1 Peter 4:2

    That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

  • Romans 12:2

    And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:23

    And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Hebrews 13:4

    Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

  • Colossians 3:5

    Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

  • Ephesians 5:17

    Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:4

    That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

  • Ephesians 5:3-5

    But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

  • Galatians 5:19

    Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

  • 1 John 2:17

    And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:13

    But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

  • Revelation 21:8

    But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
this.
5:18; Ps 40:8; 143:10; Mt 7:21; 12:50; Mr 3:35; Joh 4:34; 7:17
Ro 12:2; Eph 5:17; 6:6; Col 1:9; 4:12; Heb 10:36; 13:21; 1Pe 4:2
1Jo 2:17
your.
4; 5:23; Joh 17:17-19; Ac 20:32; 26:18; Ro 6:22; *Gr:
1Co 1:30; 6:11; Eph 5:26,27; 2Th 2:13; Tit 2:14; 1Pe 1:2
that.
Mt 15:19; Ac 15:20,29; Ro 1:29; 1Co 5:9-11; 6:9,10,13-18; 7:2
2Co 12:21; Ga 5:19; Eph 5:3-5; Col 3:5; Heb 12:16; 13:4
Re 21:8; 22:15; *Gr:

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:2

    For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:3

    For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:4

    That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thessalonians 4:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque la voluntad de Dios es vuestra santificación: que os apartéis de fornicación;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car c’est ici la volonté de Dieu, votre sainteté, que vous vous absteniez de la fornication,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn dies ist Gottes Wille: eure Heiligkeit, daß ihr euch der Hurerei enthaltet,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Hæc est enim voluntas Dei, sanctificatio vestra: ut abstineatis vos a fornicatione,