A Call to Sexual Purity

In chapter 4:1 through chapter 5:22, Paul embarked on the second major portion of this epistle, offering instructions on several subjects: principles for Christian conduct (4:1-12), assurances and challenges regarding Christ's return (4:13-5:11), and an assortment of brief final guidelines (5:12-22). In chapter 4, verses 1-8, Paul provides instruction on sexual purity. In their culture, marital infidelity, at least for males, was the norm, and some of the pagan religions from which these Thessalonians had been liberated sanctioned gross sexual defilement in their ritual. God's will for us is that we be holy, abstaining from unchaste behavior.