This is the will of God, your holiness: that you refrain from immorality, 4 that each of you know how to acquire a wife for himself in holiness and honor, 5 not in lustful passion as do the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 not to take advantage of or exploit a brother in this matter, for the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you before and solemnly affirmed. 7 For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness. 8 Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not a human being but God, who [also] gives his holy Spirit to you. 9 On the subject of mutual charity you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another. 10 Indeed, you do this for all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Nevertheless we urge you, brothers, to progress even more, 11 and to aspire to live a tranquil life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your [own] hands, as we instructed you, 12 that you may conduct yourselves properly toward outsiders and not depend on anyone.
Paul tells the Thessalonians that God's desire for believers is their sanctification. As followers of Christ, they should avoid sexual misconduct and pursue moral purity. However, they lived in a society that often valued the opposite. In the Greco-Roman world, various forms of sexual behavior that Christians would deem immoral were widely accepted and integrated into everyday life. Activities such as prostitution, extramarital affairs, and relationships with slaves were commonplace and often socially permissible. Paul encourages them to either control their own bodies or seek wives and live lives of sanctity and respect. They should approach relationships with integrity and reverence not driven by uncontrolled sexual desires as do those who do not know God (Eph. 4:17-19). Paul sternly warned them that they should not wrong fellow believers through sexual misconduct because God will judge those who commit such injustices. Christians are called to holiness in conduct and should reject moral uncleanness. Paul also warns them that ignoring the instructions is a serious offense because his teachings carry divine authority from God who gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit to strengthen them so they could live according to those standards.
Paul acknowledges that the Thessalonians exemplify the practice of brotherly love resulting from divine instruction. Their love extends beyond their local community, reaching all the believers throughout Macedonia. Paul encourages them to continue growing in love and not become complacent (Phil. 1:9). He urges them to seek peace and avoid conflict, focus on their responsibilities rather than meddling, and engage in honest work with their own hands, as he had previously instructed them. In so doing, they can share with those in need. This diligent work ensures that they live in a way that earns respect from non-believers and that they are not dependent on anyone, thereby not becoming a burden to others.
Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to holiness and guiding us toward lives that honor You. Help us to abstain from immorality and to treat others with love and respect. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to live quietly, mind our own affairs, and work diligently. May our conduct reflect Your goodness and inspire others to seek You. This we pray through Christ our Lord Amen!
References
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
- McKenzie, John. Dictionary of the Bible. Collier Books, 1965.
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