1 Thessalonians 4 · Verse 5

1 Thessalonians 4:5

Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
1 Thessalonians 4:5, King James Version

1 Thessalonians 4:5 in other translations

BSBnot in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;
WEBnot in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don’t know God,
ASVnot in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God;
YLTnot in the affection of desire, as also the nations that were not knowing God,
DARBY(not in passionate desire, even as the nations who know not God,)
BBENot in the passion of evil desires, like the Gentiles, who have no knowledge of God;
WebsterNot in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles who know not God:

What does 1 Thessalonians 4:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. in the lust--Greek, "passion"; which implies that such a one is unconsciously the passive slave of lust. which know not God--and so know no better. Ignorance of true religion is the parent of unchastity (Ep 4:18, 19). A people's morals are like the objects of their worship (De 7:26; Psa 115:8; Ro 1:23, 24).

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 5. Not in the lust of concupiscence. In gross gratifications.

Even as the Gentiles. This was, and is, a common vice among the heathen. Acts 15:20; Rom 1:29; Eph 4:17, Eph 4:19 and the reports of missionaries everywhere.

Which know not God. Rom 1:21, Rom 1:28; Eph 2:12.

(*) "concupiscence" "not given up to lustful passions" (a) "Gentiles" Eph 4:17,18

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence - Having no rational object, aim, nor end. Some say, "not like beasts;" but this does not apply as they who use it wish, for the males and females of the brute creation are regular and consistent in their intercourse, and scarcely ever exceed such bounds as reason itself would prescribe to those most capable of observing and obeying its dictates. The Gentiles which know not God - These are the beasts; their own brutes are rational creatures when compared with them. Enough has been said on this subject on Romans 1, and 2: They who wish to see more may consult Juvenal, and particularly his 6th and 9th Satires; and indeed all the writers on Greek and Roman morals.

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 4:5 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.

μὴmēnotG3361
ἐνeninG1722
πάθειpathei[the] passionG3806
ἐπιθυμίαςepithumiasof lustG1939
καθάπερkathaperasG2509
καὶkaialsoG2532
τὰtatheG3588
ἔθνηethnēGentilesG1484
τὰta<the>G3588
μὴmēnotG3361
εἰδόταeidotaknowing
τὸνton<the>G3588
θεόν·theonGod;G2316

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

Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 4:5

  • Galatians 4:8

    Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

  • Acts 17:30-31

    And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

  • Ephesians 4:17-19

    This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

  • Colossians 3:5

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

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:8

    In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

  • 1 Corinthians 15:34

    Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

  • Ephesians 2:12

    That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

  • Romans 1:28

    And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

  • Romans 1:26

    For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

  • 1 Peter 4:3

    For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

  • Acts 17:23

    For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

  • Matthew 6:32

    (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
in the.
Ro 1:24,26; Col 3:5
as the.
Mt 6:32; Lu 12:30; Eph 4:17-19; 1Pe 4:3
know.
Ac 17:23,30,31; Ro 1:28; 1Co 1:21; 15:34; Ga 4:8; Eph 2:12; 2Th 1:8

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

Context

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:4

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

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:5

    Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:6

    That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thessalonians 4:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		No con afecto de concupiscencia, como los Gentiles que no conocen á Dios:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		non dans la passion de la convoitise comme font les nations aussi qui ne connaissent pas Dieu;
German
Elberfelder 1871		nicht in Leidenschaft der Lust, wie auch die Nationen, die Gott nicht kennen;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		non in passione desiderii, sicut et gentes, quæ ignorant Deum: