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Verse
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1 Thessalonians 4:6
ESV that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.
NIV and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.
NASB and that no one violate the rights and take advantage of his brother or sister in the matter, because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you previously and solemnly warned you.
CSB This means one must not transgress against and take advantage of a brother or sister in this manner, because the Lord is an avenger of all these offenses, as we also previously told and warned you.
NLT Never harm or cheat a fellow believer in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before.
KJV That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
NKJV that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.

What does 1 Thessalonians 4:6 mean?

The context of this verse is Paul's strong endorsement of sexual morality (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5). Here, Paul makes the point that sexual immorality not only violates God's law, it harms the other person involved. This is a point often missed in modern discussions on sex; the common claim is that one's sexual behavior "isn't hurting anyone." According to Scripture, however, it's not only sin against God, it's harmful to the people who engage in it. As such, Paul assures his readers that God judges those who engage in sexual immorality. When he was in Thessalonica, he had taught the believers to avoid sexual immorality and had warned them about the consequences of such behavior.

In Romans 1:18 Paul teaches that God's wrath is against all who suppress the truth and practice ungodliness and unrighteousness. In Romans 1:24–27 he specifically cites homosexuality as an example of the impurity God's wrath targets. Genesis 18 and 19 record the account of God's retribution on Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities renowned for sexual sins among other atrocities. In His wrath, God destroyed both cities by raining down sulfur and fire. Genesis 19:25 reports the complete devastation that occurred: "And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground." God's warnings about sexual sin are meant to be taken seriously.
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