1 Thessalonians 4:3-6

God's Desire for Men to be Set Apart for His Service

The apostle expressed God's desire for every man be set apart for His service. Paul wrote from Corinth, which may explain why he mentioned fornication first. It was a sin that had been dressed up by incorporating it into idol worship. At Corinth, prostitutes served in the temple of Venus. Christians need to exercise control over their fleshly desires and avoid this sin. Paul's desire was that every Christian should know how to bring his body under control and keep it morally pure for God's service.

Sensual fulfillment was, by the idolatrous people of Paul's day, considered to be an acceptable goal. Since they did not have a close relationship with God, they gave themselves fully to the pursuit of desires brought on by leaving passion uncontrolled (Romans 1:24-27). Christians, knowing the true God of heaven, could not follow such a course. Sexual immorality defrauds the innocent. By taking advantage of them, the seducer sins against God. Further, other parties, like an innocent mate, can be hurt when one participates in such sins. Certainly, God had avenged such wrongs wrought by the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (1 Thessalonians 4:3-6 a; Galatians 6:7-8; Colossians 3:6).