1. Three premises on which Paul builds his exhortations:

(a) Jesus is coming (imminence is stressed) (3:13)

(b) The believers are going to stand before Him—“blameless” and “holy” (3:12)

(c) In the time between now and Jesus’ coming, the believers’ mandate is to please God (4:1) [Timothy reported to Paul about the gaps/holes in the faith of Thessalonian Christians. First, lack of love among the believers (3:12-13), and second, sexual immorality (4:3-8)]

2. Though God is the one who makes believers holy, they [believers] must demonstrate a separation from certain areas of their culture—holiness is a divine act, but the behavior is an indication of those being sanctified (4:3)

(a) Should avoid sexual immorality—unlawful sexual activity [It is an important boundary between them and the rest of the society]

(b) Should know how to gain control over their own body [euphemism for sexual organs] (4:4)

(b1) Believers’ must gain control over their sexual desires (4:4)
(b2) Believers’ sexuality must be characterized by holiness—“holy” and “honorable” (4:4)
(b3) Believers are not asked to do away with their sexual desires, but they must sanctify them (4:5)

(c) Should not wrong his brother/sister or take advantage of them in matters related to sexuality (3:6)

(c1) It is the violation of trust
(c2) The Lord is the avenger in all these matters

3. Believers are called to live in the sphere of God’s holiness (4:7)

4. When believers disregard God’s will concerning sexuality, they disregard God Himself (4:8)

5. Take Away

Conform your thoughts and actions to God’s expressed will