1Th 4:3-5 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 3. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification . It is the will or command of God that you should be holy. This does not refer to the purpose or decree of God , and does not mean that he intended to make them holy; but it means that it was his command that they should be holy. It was also true that it was agreeable to the Divine will or purpose that they should be holy, and that he meant to use such an influence as to secure this; but this is not the truth taught here. This text, therefore, should not be brought as a proof that God intends to make his people holy, or that they are sanctified. It is a proof only that he requires holiness. The word here rendered sanctification αγιασμος is not used in the Greek classics, but is several times found in the New Testament. It is rendered holiness , ; ; and sanctification , ; . : . It means here purity of life, and particularly abstinence from those vices which debase and degrade the soul. Sanctification consists in two things, (1.) in "ceasing to do evil;" and (2.) in "learning to do well." Or in other words, the first work of sanctification is in overcoming the propensities to evil in our nature, and checking and subduing the unholy habits which we had formed before we became Christians; the second part of the work consists in cultivating the positive principles of holiness in the soul. That ye should abstain from fornication . A vice which was freely indulged among the heathen, and to which, from that fact, and from their own former habits, they were particularly exposed. On the fact that they were thus exposed, and on the reasons for these solemn commands on the subject, ; . (c) "ye should abstain"

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

Verse 3. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification. It is the will or command of God that you should be holy. This does not refer to the purpose or decree of God, and does not mean that he intended to make them holy; but it means that it was his command that they should be holy. It was also true that it was agreeable to the Divine will or purpose that they should be holy, and that he meant to use such an influence as to secure this; but this is not the truth taught here. This text, therefore, should not be brought as a proof that God intends to make his people holy, or that they are sanctified. It is a proof only that he requires holiness. The word here rendered sanctification αγιασμος is not used in the Greek classics, but is several times found in the New Testament. It is rendered holiness, Rom 6:19,22, 1Thes 4:7, 1Timm 2:15; Heb 12:14; and sanctification, 1Cor 1:30, 1Thes 4:3,4; 2Thes 2:13, 1Pet 1:2. Rom 6:19: 1Cor 1:30. It means here purity of life, and particularly abstinence from those vices which debase and degrade the soul. Sanctification consists in two things,

(1.) in "ceasing to do evil;" and

(2.) in "learning to do well." Or in other words, the first work of sanctification is in overcoming the propensities to evil in our nature, and checking and subduing the unholy habits which we had formed before we became Christians; the second part of the work consists in cultivating the positive principles of holiness in the soul.

That ye should abstain from fornication. A vice which was freely indulged among the heathen, and to which, from that fact, and from their own former habits, they were particularly exposed. On the fact that they were thus exposed, and on the reasons for these solemn commands on the subject, Acts 15:20; 1Cor 6:18.

(c) "ye should abstain" 1Cor 6:15,18 Verse 4. That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel. The word vessel here (σκευος) probably refers to the body. When it is so used, it is either because the body is frail and feeble, like an earthen vessel, easily broken 2Cor 4:7, or because it is that which contains the soul, or in which the soul is lodged. Lucret. Lib. iii. 441. The word vessel also, (Heb. Gr. σκευος,) was used by the later Hebrews to denote a wife, as the vessel of her husband Schcoettg. Hor. Heb. p. 827. Comp. Wetstein in loc. Many, as Augustine, Wetstein, Scheettgen, Koppe, Robinson (Lex.), and others, have supposed that this is the reference here. Comp. 1Pet 3:7. The word body, however, accords more naturally with the usual signification of the word, and as the apostle was giving directions to the whole church, embracing both sexes, it is hardly probable that he confined his direction to those who had wives. It was the duty of females; and of the unmarried among the males, as well as of married men, to observe this command. The injunction then is, that we should preserve the body pure. 1Cor 6:18-20.

In sanctification and honour. Should not debase or pollute it; that is, that we should honour it as a noble work of God to be employed for pure purposes. 1Cor 6:19. 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