If there’s one thing I know about you and me it’s this: each of us can improve in our sexual purity. How do I know that? We live in a culture that bombards us with videos, newspaper ads, music, social media pictures, TV commercials, billboards, and beer commercials that use sex to get and keep our attention.
While we can talk about how to grow the number of people attending a church, I believe it’s also important we talk about how to grow the people already attending a church. If there is one area that every person in every church can grow in, it’s sexual purity. But, for the people to grow in their sexual purity we as Christian leaders first must grow in our own sexual purity.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 Paul teaches us that God’s will for Christians is to abstain from sexual immorality, to control their lusts and passions, and to not violate their fellow humans in sexual sin.
Let’s examine Paul’s exhortation to the Thessalonians about how purity is the passion Christians pursue, especially for leaders.
TRADITION[1]
Instruction
Paul begins a transition in this letter from doctrine (1 Thessalonians 1–3) to duty (1 Thessalonians 4–5) with instruction, “Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more” (1 Thess 4:1).[2] The phrase “Finally then” signifies a shift into a new section.
In this verse there is a request. Paul writes, “we request and exhort you.” Here he uses two words that often have separate meanings but are synonymous. Using “request” and “exhort” shows that there is importance by saying the same thing twice.
In this verse there is a reception. Paul writes, “as you received from us instruction.” The Greek word for “received” is paralabete and is used for accepting instructions that are passed on as tradition from a teacher to a follower. Paul often used this word regarding the doctrinal traditions and ethical instructions he passed on to his followers which he expected them to keep.[3]
In this verse there is a direction. Paul writes, “how you ought to walk and please God.” The word “walk” is a metaphor New Testament writers often used to describe a person’s lifestyle.[4] Walking is a step-by-step process in which you make progress towards a goal or destination. While Paul was tender and affectionate, he never lost sight of the high demands Christ makes on his followers. Here that demand is to “please God.” In order to please God we need to walk in a way and in a direction that honors him. And we should “excel still more.” Paul is saying there is no such thing as static holiness. Sanctification is a dynamic and progressive walk with God. Everyone lives to please someone: a parent, boss, spouse, child, or just himself. But the Christian lives to please God.
Commandments
Paul continues this transition from doctrine to duty with commandments, “For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus” (1 Thess 4:2). Here we are told the reason, “For you know.” This is not something they’re told for the first time. Essentially, Paul is saying the Thessalonians need to continue down the ways he had already showed them.
Again, for a second time we see the phrase “of the Lord Jesus.” This is a reminder that what Paul taught and how Christians live is not based on the standards or practices from society, instead there are instructions and commands given to Christians from God himself. That word for “commandments” is parangelia. It was a military term. Xenophon (430–355 BC)[5] and Polybius (200–118 BC)[6] each use the word parangelia for commands given by the officer to his men. It was a word that has a connotation of authority.
Next Paul transitions from instruction in 1 Thessalonians 4:1–2 to implementation in 1 Thessalonians 4:3–6a. He’s shifting from the tradition which he taught the Thessalonians to the task he has for them.
TASK
First Thessalonians 4:3a is one of my favorite verses of Scripture because it’s so clear: “this is the will of God, your sanctification.”Paul writes that declarative statement then proceeds to list three elements of our sanctification as it relates to sexual purity.[7] Let’s explore the first “will of God” as it relates to participation in sexual sin.
Participation
The first application of our sanctification focuses on how Christians should have no participation with sexual immorality. Paul writes, “that you abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thess 4:3b). The phrase “sexual immorality” is translated from the Greek word porneia. What is sexual immorality? John Walvoord and Mark Hitchcock write, “Sexual immorality (porneia) is a broad, all–inclusive term that refers to all sexual relations outside monogamous, heterosexual marriage (fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and pornography). God’s standard for sexual ethics is very simple: the only one-flesh, sexual relationship God sanctions is between a man and a woman after marriage and within marriage.”[8]
Demosthenes (384–322 BC) was a Greek statesman and speaker in Athens who said this about the home life of a man in Greek culture, “Mistresses we keep for the sake of pleasure, concubines for the daily care of our persons, but wives to bear us legitimate children and to be faithful guardians of our households.”[9] In the Thessalonian culture it was expected and accepted that men seek satisfaction for their sexual desires outside of marriage. The church probably had received pressure to accommodate this.
According to 1 Thessalonians 4:3b God’s will for us is to stay away from sexual sin.This has to do with participation. When it says abstain “from” sexual sin that’s the Greek preposition ek. Prepositions describe the relationship or location between objects. Imagine a circle. The preposition ek in Greek describes something that starts on the outside edge of a circle and moves away from the circle.[10] In other words, when Paul says to “abstain from sexual immorality” he’s saying we must run from sexual sin and refuse to participate in it.
However, current statistics on the sexual sin of Christians shows we are failing. According to Focus on the Family president Jim Daly, 68 percent of men in the church look at porn once a month.[11] According to a Promise Keepers survey, half of the men at one of their conferences said they had viewed pornography the previous week.[12] According to Covenant Eyes, 64 percent of Christian men and 15 percent of Christian women view porn at least once a month.[13]
If those statistics are true, then we’re not doing very good at staying away from sexual sin. So how do we define “sexual purity?” Here’s my simple formula. If you’re married then the only person you should ever see or think about as naked is your spouse. If you’re single then you should never see or think about anyone as naked.
Prevention
The second application of our sanctification focuses on how Christians should prevent themselves from engaging in sexual immorality. Paul writes, “that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God” (1 Thess 4:4–5). Just as we have a desire for food or for sleep and we learn to control those desires, we also have sexual desires we need to learn to control.
Paul tells us that the believer controls his or her body (v. 4). That word for “vessel” likely references the body of a believer. Paul is emphasizing the same truth here in 1 Thessalonians 4:4–5 as 4:3, but in a positive way. Just as we stay away from sin, we also learn to control our bodies. There are certain fleshly passions we have which we need to control.
Paul tells us that the believer is contrary to unbelievers (v. 5). The phrase “lustful passion” is translated from the word pathei “passion” and epithimias “lustful.” If there’s one thing that should make Christians stand out, it should be our sexual purity.
The God empowered man rules his body; his body does not rule him. It’s hard and difficult, but with the right adjustments to what we see and think, we can control our bodies. The late New Testament scholar F.F. Bruce once wrote, “The body must be treated as the Lord’s property and not used as a means of wanton self-indulgence.”[14]
According to 1 Thessalonians 4:4–5 God’s will for us is to stop our bodies from sexual sin. This has to do with prevention. If there are sexual sins we struggle with then we need to find out what fuels that struggle and stop it. This means we have to know our own bodies. What weakens our self–control? What trips us up? Do we feel certain temptations when we are lonely? Do we notice our thoughts are not as pure after watching an R–rated movies? About ten years ago I stopped watching football because the TV showed the cheerleaders when returning from commercials. Seeing those women jumping up and down and kicking their legs in the air caused struggles in my purity. So I stopped watching football.
The key for your sexual purity might not be football, but you need to find out what causes you to stumble and struggle. Lock it away and throw away the key. Block it out. Find the fuel and cut it.
Protection
The third application of our sanctification focuses on how Christians should protect others from our sexual immorality. Paul writes, “and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter” (1 Thess 4:6a). The word “matter” there of course is sexual sin (see verses 3–5). That word for “transgress” is the Greek word hyperbainen and means to cross a boundary or to overstep. It’s like displaying a “Don’t trespass sign” on a piece of property. That word “defraud” is the word pleonektein and can be translated as “exploit.” It often means “to overreach, to take advantage of, to take more.”[15] Here’s the point. Sexual purity is not just about you. Your sexual sin directly hurts others.
According to 1 Thessalonians 4:6a God’s will for us is to safeguard others from our sexual sin. This has to do with protection. Our sexual sin hurts others. Research shows adult entertainment actors have higher rates of suicide, are more likely to use illicit drugs (cocaine, heroine, etc.), more often suffer from depression, and are at greater risk to develop alcohol dependency.
Our sin of watching porn hurts others directly. Let me prove it. Does a man’s adultery hurt his wife and kids? How does a wife respond to her husband watching porn? When an attractive person walks by and you undress that person with your eyes in front of your spouse, how does that make your spouse feel?
TENSION
Halfway through 1 Thessalonians 4:6 there’s a shift from Paul saying what we do to why. Here he gives three reasons for what he has just shared.
First, Paul says sexual purity prevents God’s punishment,“because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before” (1 Thess 4:6b).God says that He will take action against these sins. God will allow the consequences of our sin to discipline us. Pastor Tony Evans writes, “One of the most attractive lies about sexual immorality is that we can get away with the thrill and not experience negative consequences.”[16] God ultimately works out the payment for such sins.
Second, Paul says sexual purityreflects God’s call, “For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification”(1 Thess 4:7).Our lifestyle regarding sexuality reflects who we are. Are we still sinners that are slaves to sin? Or have we been called by God out of darkness and into the light? If we are called by God it means we are set apart for Him. Paul writes in Ephesians 1:4, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.” Peter writes, “but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15–16).
Third, Paul says sexual purity shows we accept God,“So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you” (1 Thess 4:8).In order to abide by God’s sexual ethic we must be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Sexual purity is not just about man-made “dos and don’ts” but instead is about failing God and rejecting God. God’s Holy Spirit—the third member of the Godhead—is a gift given to those who believe in Jesus Christ.[17] The Holy Spirit purifies us and sets us apart as God’s people.
CONCLUSION
As we conclude this article I don’t want to condemn people or make them feel guilty for past sins. Maybe someone had sexual activity in their past while not a Christian, or didn’t know any better, or simply just did what family or friends all did. Everything in our culture tells us that sexuality should be enjoyed by everyone everywhere whenever they want. I don’t want you to feel guilty or discouraged by those past behaviors. Instead, let’s start today. From this day forward commit to sexual purity.
Paul tells the church in 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 it’s God’s will to stay away from sexual sin (v. 3b), to stop our bodies from sexual sin (vv. 4–5), and to safeguard others from sexual sin (v. 6a).
God’s will for Christian leaders is that we abstain from sexual immorality, learn to control our lusts and passions, and not violate our fellow humans in sexual sin. This is because purity is the passion pastors must have.
[1] You can find an outline of 1 Thessalonians as well as many other free resources at christopherlynnscott.com/free–resources/
[2] Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.
[3] NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2005), 2262. Cf. 1 Cor 11:2, 23; 15:1–3; Gal 1:9; Phil 4:9; 2 Thess 2:15; 3:6.
[4] See the metaphor in Rom 6:4; 2 Cor 5:7; Eph 4:1; 5:15; Col 1:10; 2:6; 4:5. Perhaps the “walk” metaphor builds on the first descriptions of Christians as followers of the “Way” (Acts 9:2; 19:23; 24:22).
[5] A Greek military leader, philosopher, and historian from Athens and Greece.
[6] A Greek historian based in Rome.
[7] The word sanctification is “God setting the believer apart for Himself” (Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology [Chicago: Moody, 1996], 630).
[8] John Walvoord and Mark Hitchcock, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Walvoord Commentary Series, (Chicago: Moody, 2012), 59.
[9] Demosthenes, Against Neaera, 59.122.
[10] William Mounce, Basics of Biblical Greek (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009), 61.
[11] “How to Guard Your Marriage from Temptation” Focus on the Family. https://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/broadcast/how–to–guard–your–marriage–from–temptation/. Accessed October 6, 2024.
[12] Randy Alcorn, The Purity Principle (Multnomah, 2003),10–11.
[13] Barna Group, 2014 Pornography Survey and Statistics, cited in Covenant Eyes’ Porn Stats: 250+ facts, quotes, and statistics about pornography use (2018 Edition), p. 22.
[14] F.F. Bruce, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, World Biblical Commentary vol. 45 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015), 84.
[15] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1933), no page number.
[16] Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville: Holman Bible, 2019), 1265.
[17] Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 3:16; 12:13; 2 Cor 6:16.