1 Thessalonians 4:7
New International Version
For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.

New Living Translation
God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.

English Standard Version
For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

Berean Standard Bible
For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness.

Berean Literal Bible
For God has not called us to impurity, but into holiness.

King James Bible
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

New King James Version
For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

New American Standard Bible
For God has not called us for impurity, but in sanctification.

NASB 1995
For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.

NASB 1977
For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.

Legacy Standard Bible
For God did not call us to impurity, but in sanctification.

Amplified Bible
For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private].

Christian Standard Bible
For God has not called us to impurity but to live in holiness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For God has not called us to impurity but to sanctification.

American Standard Version
For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.

Contemporary English Version
God didn't choose you to be filthy, but to be pure.

English Revised Version
For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God didn't call us to be sexually immoral but to be holy.

Good News Translation
God did not call us to live in immorality, but in holiness.

International Standard Version
For God did not call us to be impure, but to be holy.

Majority Standard Bible
For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness.

NET Bible
For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness.

New Heart English Bible
For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.

Webster's Bible Translation
For God hath not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness.

Weymouth New Testament
God has not called us to an unclean life, but to one of purity.

World English Bible
For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for God did not call us to uncleanness, but in sanctification.

Berean Literal Bible
For God has not called us to impurity, but into holiness.

Young's Literal Translation
for God did not call us on uncleanness, but in sanctification;

Smith's Literal Translation
But God has not called you to uncleanness, but in consecration.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For God has not called us to impurity, but to sanctification.

New American Bible
For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness.

New Revised Standard Version
For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For God has not called you unto uncleanness but unto holiness.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For God has not called you to impurity but to holiness.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
for God has not called us for uncleanness, but for holiness.

Godbey New Testament
For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in sanctification.

Haweis New Testament
For God hath not called us unto impurity, but unto holiness.

Mace New Testament
for God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness:

Weymouth New Testament
God has not called us to an unclean life, but to one of purity.

Worrell New Testament
For God did not call us unto uncleanness, but in sanctification.

Worsley New Testament
For God hath not called us to impurity, but to holiness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Living to Please God
6and no one should ever violate or exploit his brother in this regard, because the Lord will avenge all such acts, as we have already told you and solemnly warned you. 7For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness. 8Anyone, then, who rejects this command does not reject man but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit.…

Cross References
1 Peter 1:15-16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Ephesians 5:3-5
But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. / Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. / For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. / Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Romans 6:19
I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

Colossians 3:5-7
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. / Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. / When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 John 3:3
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. / Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Leviticus 11:44-45
For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground. / For I am the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt so that I would be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.

Leviticus 19:2
“Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.

Isaiah 35:8
And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it—only those who walk in the Way—and fools will not stray onto it.

2 Timothy 1:9
He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.

1 Corinthians 1:2
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:


Treasury of Scripture

For God has not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness.

God.

Leviticus 11:44
For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Leviticus 19:2
Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.

Romans 1:7
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

uncleanness.

1 Thessalonians 2:3
For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

Galatians 5:19
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Ephesians 4:19
Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

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God's Holiness Holy Impure Impurity Life Purity Purpose Sanctification Unclean Uncleanness Way
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God's Holiness Holy Impure Impurity Life Purity Purpose Sanctification Unclean Uncleanness Way
1 Thessalonians 4
1. He exhorts them to go forward in all manner of godliness;
6. to live holily and justly;
9. to love one another;
11. and quietly to follow their own business;
13. and last of all, to sorrow moderately for the dead.
17. followed by a brief description of the resurrection, and second coming of Christ to judgment.














For God has not called us to impurity
This phrase emphasizes the divine nature of the Christian calling. The word "impurity" here refers to moral and sexual uncleanness, which was prevalent in the Greco-Roman world. The Thessalonian church, situated in a city known for its pagan practices, would have been familiar with such behaviors. The call to reject impurity aligns with the broader biblical narrative that God's people are to be set apart. In Leviticus 11:44, God commands His people to be holy as He is holy, establishing a standard that transcends cultural norms. The New Testament continues this theme, with Paul frequently urging believers to live lives that reflect their new identity in Christ (Ephesians 4:1, 1 Peter 1:15-16).

but to holiness
Holiness, in this context, signifies being set apart for God's purposes. It involves both moral purity and a dedication to God's will. The call to holiness is rooted in the character of God Himself, who is holy. This call is not merely about avoiding sin but actively pursuing a life that reflects God's nature. The concept of holiness is central to the Christian faith, as seen in passages like Hebrews 12:14, which states that without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Holiness is also a type of Christ, who is the ultimate example of a holy life. Jesus' life and ministry exemplified perfect obedience to the Father, setting a pattern for believers to follow. The call to holiness is a call to imitate Christ, living in a way that honors God and distinguishes believers from the world.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who authored the letter to the Thessalonians, providing guidance and encouragement to the early Christian community.

2. Thessalonica
A city in Macedonia where the church to whom Paul is writing is located. It was a significant urban center in the Roman Empire.

3. Thessalonian Church
The recipients of Paul's letter, a group of early Christians facing challenges in maintaining their faith amidst a pagan culture.

4. God
The divine being who calls believers to a life of holiness, as emphasized in this passage.

5. Holiness
The state of being set apart for God's purposes, a central theme in Paul's exhortation to the Thessalonians.
Teaching Points
Understanding Holiness
Holiness is being set apart for God's purposes, reflecting His character in our lives.

The Call to Holiness
God’s call to holiness is a divine invitation to live a life that honors Him, distinct from the impurity of the world.

Rejecting Impurity
Believers are to actively reject impurity, which includes moral and spiritual corruption, in favor of a life that pleases God.

Living Out Holiness
Holiness should be evident in every aspect of a believer's life, influencing thoughts, actions, and relationships.

Empowered by the Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live holy lives, providing strength and guidance to overcome impurity.(7) For God.--This gives the reason for stating that the Lord will take vengeance on such sins; because they are not part of the terms on which His Father called us. It should be "did not call." These 1Thessalonians 4:7-8, sum up the little disquisition, returning to the principle announced in 1Thessalonians 4:3.

Unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.--The preposition translated "unto" has the same force in Galatians 5:13, "Called unto liberty," and Ephesians 2:10, "Created unto good works." It implies not so much the definite end to which we are invited, as the terms on which the invitation will still stand; for the call is not yet accomplished. (See Note on 1Thessalonians 2:12.) The second "unto" in the Greek is simply "in," used in the same sense as in 1Thessalonians 4:4. Paraphrase, "For God did not call us on the understanding that we might be unclean, but by the way of sanctification." . . .

Verse 7. - For God hath not called us unto; or, for the purpose cf. Uncleanness; moral uncleanness in general (comp. 1 Corinthians 6:15). But unto; or, in; in a state of Holiness; or sanctification; the same word as in the third verse; so that holiness is the whole sphere of cur Christian life.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

{has} not
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

called
ἐκάλεσεν (ekalesen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.

us
ἡμᾶς (hēmas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

to
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

impurity,
ἀκαθαρσίᾳ (akatharsia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 167: Uncleanness, impurity. From akathartos; impurity, physically or morally.

but
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

to
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

holiness.
ἁγιασμῷ (hagiasmō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 38: From hagiazo; properly, purification, i.e. purity; concretely a purifier.


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NT Letters: 1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God called us not for uncleanness (1 Thess. 1 Thes. 1Th iTh i Th)
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