4:3

Verses 4:3–6 are one sentence in the Greek text. You will probably need to use several sentences in your translation, as many English versions have done. All four verses, however, deal with the same topic, that is, instructions to avoid being sexually immoral.

4:3a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For shows that what Paul was about to give was a specific example of what he had instructed them while he was in Thessalonica. Many English versions have chosen to leave this conjunction implied. Introduce this verse in a natural way in your language.

that you should be holy: To be holy means “to be sanctified” or “to be set apart for God.” Most commentators agree that in this verse Paul was referring to “becoming sanctified/holy” rather than “being set apart for God.”

4:3b

You must abstain from sexual immorality: Here Paul gave one specific example of morally impure behavior. The Greek word porneia, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as sexual immorality, is a general term that means any kind of sexual immorality, that is, any kind of sexual act other than that between a man and his wife.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.