Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

1 THESSALONIANS 4:5KJV
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1 Thessalonians 4:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Thessalonians 4:5 mean?

1 Thessalonians 4:5 tells believers not to act out of uncontrolled sexual desire, unlike people who do not know God. The verse draws a clear line between the behavior expected of Christians and the common practices among those outside their faith.

Paul is writing to the church in Thessalonica, encouraging them to live in a way that reflects their relationship with God. He specifically warns them not to follow the "lust of concupiscence," a phrase that refers to passionate, self-indulgent desires, which he says characterize the Gentiles—meaning those who do not have a relationship with God.

The Greek behind 1 Thessalonians 4:5

  • ἐπιθυμία (epithymia, "concupiscence"): This word means a strong desire or craving, often with a negative sense of uncontrolled longing. Here, it points to desires that are not kept in check by knowledge of God.
  • πάθος (pathos, "lust"): This word is often understood as a deep passion or emotion, especially in the context of sexual desire. Paul uses it to describe the kind of urges that can lead to behavior outside of God's will.
  • ἔθνη (ethnē, "Gentiles"): This word refers to non-Jewish people, but in Paul's letters, it often means those who do not know or follow the God of Israel. Paul is making a distinction between the church and the surrounding culture.
  • οἶδα (oida, "know"): This verb means to know or understand. Paul highlights that the Gentiles act as they do because they do not know God, implying that knowing God leads to different choices.

Why 1 Thessalonians 4:5 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Christian living is meant to be distinct from the surrounding culture, especially in the area of personal conduct.
  • Paul’s focus on knowledge of God as the key difference suggests that understanding and relationship with God should shape a believer’s actions.
  • This verse helps set the context for the passage’s broader call to holiness, showing that Paul’s instructions are not just about rules but about reflecting a new way of life rooted in knowing God.