1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (September 4, 2025)

A Life Pleasing to God

4:1 Finally, then, brothers,[a] we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification:[b] that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body[c] in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

Footnotes

1 Thessalonians 4:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 10, 13

1 Thessalonians 4:3 Or your holiness

1 Thessalonians 4:4 Or how to take a wife for himself; Greek how to possess his own vessel

Summary

This passage marks a shift in Paul’s letter from thanksgiving and encouragement to practical exhortations on how Christians ought to live in holiness, love, and integrity. Paul urges the Thessalonians to live in a way that pleases God, just as they had been taught, and to do so more and more.

The will of God for them is sanctification: that they abstain from sexual immorality, control their own bodies in holiness and honor, and not be driven by passionate lust like the Gentiles who do not know God (4:3–5). They must not wrong or defraud one another, because the Lord is the avenger in these matters (4:6). God has not called them to impurity but to holiness, and to reject this teaching is to reject God Himself, who gives His Holy Spirit (4:7–8).

Paul then commends them for their love toward one another, which is taught by God Himself (4:9–10). Yet even here, he urges them to excel still more. Finally, he exhorts them to live quietly, mind their own affairs, and work with their hands, so that they may walk properly before outsiders and depend on no one (4:11–12).

Who is God?

God is revealed as the One who calls His people to holiness. Holiness is not optional—it flows from His own character. He is the God who avenges wrongdoing (4:6), but also the God who gives His Holy Spirit to empower obedience (4:8). His will is not mysterious here: it is sanctification, that His people be set apart from the world in purity, love, and integrity (4:3).

What is our Guilt?

Our guilt is that we are often content with minimal obedience rather than “more and more” growth in holiness.

We too easily mirror the passions and values of those who do not know God (4:5). In relationships, we easily wrong or take advantage of others. We do so as if God does not see nor acts righteously.

The Greek word for "avenger" is ἔκδικος (ekdikos). The idea is that the Lord as the Avenger warns us (do not sin against others, for God Himself will defend them) and comforts us (do not despair when wronged, for God Himself will vindicate you). It ought to humble our pride, restrains our anger, and directs us into a life of holiness and love.

Yet, we resist sanctification, preferring to blend into the world rather than be set apart for God.

How does Grace shine?

Grace shines in that God Himself not only calls us to holiness but also equips us by His Spirit.

He does not leave us to struggle in our own strength. He has already taught His people to love (4:9), and He urges them to grow in this love even more (4:10). By grace, Christians are enabled to live quietly, work faithfully, and bear witness to the watching world with integrity and dependence upon God (4:11–12). Holiness is not a heavy burden but the fruit of grace, marking us as God’s own people.

Prayer

Father, thank You that Your will for us is not hidden but revealed: our sanctification. Forgive us for being content with little growth, for giving in to passions, and for resisting the call to holiness.

By Your Spirit, help us to walk in purity, to love one another more and more, and to live with integrity before the world. Keep us dependent on You alone, until Christ is revealed in us fully.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.