I Thessalonians 4:7
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For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
unto uncleanness--Greek, "for the purpose of." unto--rather as Greek, "in"; marking that "holiness" is the element in which our calling has place; in a sphere of holiness. Saint is another name for Christian.
Open source ↗In this chapter the apostle gives earnest exhortations to abound in holiness, with a caution against uncleanness, enforced with several arguments (Th1 4:1-8). He then mentions the great duties of brotherly love, and quietness with industry in our callings (Th1 4:9-12). And concludes with comforting those who mourned for their relations and friends that died in the Lord (Th1 4:13-18).
Open source ↗4:7 holy . . . not impure: Cp. 1:4; 2:12; 5:23-24; 2 Thes 2:13-14; 1 Pet 1:15-16.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground.
For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love
“Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.
Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings.
He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: