John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. For God hath not called us , etc.] The Syriac version reads you. This is another reason to enforce the above exhortations, and to caution them against the above unclean practices, taken from the end of the effectual calling by the efficacious grace of God, which is not unto uncleanness of any sort, as before specified. This they had lived in before their calling, and were now called from it into communion with Christ, who loves righteousness, and hates iniquity; and by the Gospel, which teaches to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and to forsake all impurity, both of flesh and spirit: but this call is unto holiness of life and conversation in general, and to chastity in thought, look, word, and actions in particular; for God that calls is holy, and therefore those who are called ought to be so; the calling with which they are called is an holy calling, principles of grace and holiness are wrought in their souls, when they are called; and the end of their calling is to live soberly, righteously, and godly; and then, and then only, do they walk worthy of that calling wherewith they are called, and of God who has, by his grace, called them to his kingdom and glory.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - To abide in the faith of the gospel is not enough, we must abound in the work of faith. The rule according to which all ought to walk an act, is the commandments given by the Lord Jesus Christ Sanctification, in the renewal of their souls under the influences of the Holy Spirit, and attention to appointed duties, constituted the will of God respecting them. In aspiring after this renewal of the sou unto holiness, strict restraint must be put upon the appetites an senses of the body, and on the thoughts and inclinations of the will which lead to wrong uses of them. The Lord calls none into his famil to live unholy lives, but that they may be taught and enabled to wal before him in holiness. Some make light of the precepts of holiness because they hear them from men; but they are God's commands, and to break them is to despise God.
Greek Textus Receptus
ου 3756 γαρ 1063 εκαλεσεν 2564 5656 ημας 2248 ο 3588 θεος 2316 επι 1909 ακαθαρσια 167 αλλ 235 εν 1722 αγιασμω 38
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. Unto uncleanness (epi akaqarsia). Better, for uncleanness; ejpi denoting aim or intention. The intention is viewed as the basis of the act (epi upon). Comp. Gal. v. 13; Eph. ii. 10.
In sanctification (en). Note the change of preposition. Sanctification is the characteristic life-element of the Christian, in which he is to live. Comp. in peace, 1 Cor. vii. 15; in hope, Eph. iv. 4.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:7 {Not for uncleanness, but in sanctification} (epi akaqarsiai all' en hagiasmwi). Sharp contrast made still sharper by the two prepositions epi (on the basis of) and en (in the sphere of). God has "called" us all for a decent sex life consonant with his aims and purposes. It was necessary for Paul to place this lofty ideal before the Thessalonian Christians living in a pagan world. It is equally important now.
