1Th 4:5 | TNotes | STEP | 4:5 Willful ignorance of God and his ways is the root of moral corruption (Rom 1:18-32 ; Eph 4:17-18 ). • lustful passion: Sexual immorality was often tolerated in the Mediterranean world. Prostitution was allowed, but sexual relations with another man’s wife were prohibited. Roman marriage customs barred women, but not men, from extramarital affairs. By contrast, Jewish and Christian authors alike prohibited all sexual involvement outside of marriage (Acts 15:20 ; 1 Cor 6:12-20 ; Col 3:5-6 ).

bRom 1:18-32►

cEph 4:17-18►

dActs 15:20►

e1 Cor 6:12-20►

fCol 3:5-6►

‏ 1 Thessalonians 4:5

4:5 ^a Willful ignorance of God and his ways is the root of moral corruption (Rom 1:18-32 ^b; Eph 4:17-18 ^c).

• lustful passion: Sexual immorality was often tolerated in the Mediterranean world. Prostitution was allowed, but sexual relations with another man’s wife were prohibited. Roman marriage customs barred women, but not men, from extramarital affairs. By contrast, Jewish and Christian authors alike prohibited all sexual involvement outside of marriage (Acts 15:20 ^d; 1 Cor 6:12-20 ^e; Col 3:5-6 ^f).