1 Thessalonians 4:6
What does 1 Thessalonians 4:6 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 4:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Thessalonians 4:6 means
Sexual sin is never only personal; it trespasses against and defrauds a “brother.” Paul warns against crossing boundaries and taking what is not rightly ours—violations God sees and will avenge. He had already warned and testified to this, showing it was part of his foundational teaching. The Lord defends the wronged and judges injustice, even when hidden. Knowing this should sober our choices and protect the purity and trust of the church family. Love for neighbor means honoring their dignity and commitments. God’s people must treat one another not as prey for desire but as fellow heirs, to be protected, not exploited.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.
KJV
King James Version · 1611That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And that no man may make attempts to get the better of his brother in business: for the Lord is the judge in all these things, as we said to you before and gave witness.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862that no one go beyond and defraud in the matter his brother, because an avenger <FI>is<Fi> the Lord of all these, as also we spake before to you and testified,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And that no man overreach nor circumvent his brother in business: because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, as we have told you before and have testified.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890not overstepping the rights of and wronging his brother in the matter, because the Lord [is] the avenger of all these things, even as we also told you before, and have fully testified.
Context
After contrasting Christian holiness with pagan lust (v. 5), Paul now shows the communal damage of impurity (v. 6). This prepares for the theological basis in verses 7–8: God’s calling is to sanctification, and to disregard these commands is to reject God Himself, who gives His Holy Spirit. The flow moves from practical instruction to warning to doctrinal grounding. Once this section concludes, Paul will pivot (v. 9) to commend their brotherly love and urge them to excel further in peaceful diligence (vv. 10–12).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 32:35
Vengeance is mine, and recompense, At the time when their foot shall slide: For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things that are to come upon them shall make haste.
- Romans 12:19
Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.
- Deuteronomy 24:7
If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and he deal with him as a slave, or sell him; then that thief shall die: so shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee.
- Romans 13:4
for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil.
- Proverbs 20:14
It is bad, it is bad, saith the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
- James 5:4
Behold, the hire of the laborers who mowed your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth out: and the cries of them that reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
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