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.

Where else these words appear

“lust” Greek G3806 · used in 3 verses

  • Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
  • Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

“as” Greek G2509 · used in 13 verses

  • Romans 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
  • 2 Corinthians 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
  • 1 Thessalonians 3:6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

“concupiscence” Greek G1939 · used in 37 verses

  • Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
  • Philippians 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
  • 1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;