1 Thessalonians 4:3-6
3. For—enforcing the assertion that his "commandments" were "by (the authority of) the Lord Jesus" (1Th 4:2). Since "this is the will of God," let it be your will also.
fornication—not regarded as a sin at all among the heathen, and so needing the more to be denounced (Ac 15:20).4. know—by moral self-control.
how to possess his vessel—rather as Greek, "how to acquire (get for himself) his own vessel," that is, that each should have his own wife so as to avoid fornication (1Th 4:3; 1Co 7:2). The emphatical position of "his own" in the Greek, and the use of "vessel" for wife, in 1Pe 3:7, and in common Jewish phraseology, and the correct translation "acquire," all justify this rendering. in sanctification— (Ro 6:19; 1Co 6:15, 18). Thus, "his own" stands in opposition to dishonoring his brother by lusting after his wife (1Th 4:6). honour— (Heb 13:4) contrasted with "dishonor their own bodies" (Ro 1:24).5. in the lust—Greek, "passion"; which implies that such a one is unconsciously the passive slave of lust.
which know not God—and so know no better. Ignorance of true religion is the parent of unchastity (Eph 4:18, 19). A people's morals are like the objects of their worship (De 7:26; Ps 115:8; Ro 1:23, 24).6. go beyond—transgress the bounds of rectitude in respect to his "brother."
defraud—"overreach" [ALFORD]; "take advantage of" [EDMUNDS]. in any matter—rather as Greek, "in the matter"; a decorous expression for the matter now in question; the conjugal honor of his neighbor as a husband, 1Th 4:4; 1Th 4:7 also confirms this view; the word "brother" enhances the enormity of the crime. It is your brother whom you wrong (compare Pr 6:27-33). the Lord—the coming Judge (2Th 1:7, 8). avenger—the Righter. of all such—Greek, "concerning all these things;" in all such cases of wrongs against a neighbor's conjugal honor. testified—Greek, "constantly testified [ALFORD].
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