1 Thessalonians 4:3
For the purpose of God for you is this: that you may be holy, and may keep yourselves from the desires of the flesh;
Bible in Basic English
In The King James Version
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
In Context
2Because you have in mind the orders we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
4So that every one of you may keep his body holy and in honour;
Cross References
Leviticus 15:18And if a man has sex relations with a woman and his seed goes out from him, the two of them will have to be bathed in water and will be unclean till evening.
Psalms 143:10Give me teaching so that I may do your pleasure; for you are my God: let your good Spirit be my guide into the land of righteousness.
Matthew 12:50For whoever does the pleasure of my Father in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Mark 3:35Whoever does God's pleasure, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
John 7:17If any man is ready to do God's pleasure he will have knowledge of the teaching and of where it comes from--from God or from myself.
Acts 15:20But that we give them orders to keep themselves from things offered to false gods, and from the evil desires of the body, and from the flesh of animals put to death in ways against the law, and from blood.
Matthew Henry on 1 Thessalonians 4:2-9
Exhortations to Holiness; Caution against Impurity. ( a. d. 51.) 1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust… Read the whole commentary →