1 Thessalonians 4:7
What does 1 Thessalonians 4:7 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 4:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Thessalonians 4:7 means
God’s call defines the believer’s identity: not for “uncleanness,” but in “sanctification.” Holiness is not optional or merely cultural; it is God’s design for His people. Being set apart to God means we cannot treat sin lightly, especially in areas where society often shrugs. This call is both command and gift—God summons us into a new way of life consistent with His own purity. Remembering the origin of the call keeps obedience from becoming mere rule-keeping; it is a response to the God who has made us His. Our conduct flows from our calling, and our calling is to reflect Him in the world.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because it is God's purpose that our way of life may be not unclean but holy.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for God did not call us on uncleanness, but in sanctification;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890ForGod has not called us to uncleanness, but in sanctification.
Context
This verse supplies the theological backbone for the earlier prohibitions (vv. 3–6). It explains why impurity is out of bounds: it contradicts God’s purpose in calling His people. Verse 8 will raise the stakes further by identifying disregard for these instructions as rejection of God Himself, not just of human teachers. With the holiness section thus anchored in God’s character and call, the letter will next turn to the positive evidence of grace among the Thessalonians—their brotherly love—and practical counsel for a respectable, self-sufficient life (vv. 9–12).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 1:4
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:
- Leviticus 11:44
For I am Jehovah your God: sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that moveth upon the earth.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
- 1 Peter 2:9
But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
- Ephesians 4:19
who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
- 1 Peter 1:14
as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance:
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