1 Thessalonians 4:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

NIV: Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

NASB: Therefore, the one who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

CSB: Consequently, anyone who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

NLT: Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

KJV: He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

NKJV: Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

Paul is delivering a dire warning about the dangers of sexual impurity. The Thessalonian Christians were immersed in a culture that treated sexual sins as normal, or even as part of religious worship (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5). Such sins are not only immoral, they harm those who participate in them (1 Thessalonians 4:6–7).

Paul issues an additional layer of authority in this verse. Whoever rejects these concepts of sexual immorality, and God's calling to be holy, rejects not Paul but God. After all, God had given Paul these instructions to pass along to his readers. Ignoring God's will in matters of sex is not a minor offense; it demonstrates a profound rebellion against man's Creator. God can change anyone (1 Corinthians 6:11), but those who refuse to submit to God's instructions about sexual immorality display signs of being lost (1 Corinthians 6:9–10).

Also, God had given His Holy Spirit to Paul's readers. Romans 8:9 teaches: "…Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." Part of the Holy Spirit's ministry is to produce holy qualities in believers. Galatians 5:22–23 describes the fruit of the Spirit as "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." When a believer cooperates with the Holy Spirit in the process of sanctification by walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) he will display the fruit of the Spirit. It should be noted that the fruit of the Spirit is a cluster of Christ-like qualities. He does not produce one quality in isolation.

First Thessalonians 4:1–8 urges the believers at Thessalonica to recall what Paul said when he was with them. He had taught them how to behave in such a way that they would please God. They were following these instructions well, but Paul challenges them to increasingly become more holy, for this was God's will for them. Each believer was obligated to avoid sexual immorality by controlling his own body, knowing the Lord avenges those who practice sin. Paul insists that to ignore this teaching about sexual immorality is tantamount to rejecting God.

Chapter 4 starts with an encouragement for the Thessalonian believers to continue their spiritual growth. Their conduct is exemplary, but they need to seek to do even more. Paul especially emphasizes the importance of sexual purity, as well as the need for believers to live peaceful, polite, and productive lives. Paul then begins to discuss the subject of Christ's return. This begins with a reassurance that believers who have died prior to the return of Christ will be the first ones raised when He comes back for His people. Next will be those still living, all of whom will meet Jesus ''in the air.'' Knowledge of our eternal destiny should be encouraging!

Chapters 1—3 had a lot to say about the good reputation of the Thessalonian church. Chapter 4 begins to address points Paul wants to clarify. First of these is the need to grow in good works, and to avoid immoral living. Paul then begins to explain ''the rapture'': the moment when Christ will retrieve believers from this earth. Paul's explanation seems to be intended to dispel rumors. In the final chapter, Paul will further explain the nature of the ''day of the Lord,'' correcting what might have been said by false teachers.

The apostle Paul's second missionary journey included a visit to the prominent Greek city of Thessalonica. This stood alongside a major land route and boasted a busy seaport. A number of individuals believed Paul's message (Acts 17:1–4), but an angry mob forced Paul to leave the city after his brief stay. Later, while in Athens, Paul received a glowing report: the believers at Thessalonica were growing spiritually and serving God fervently. However, they had questions about the Lord's return, including what happens to a believer who dies before that day. And, as all churches do, they had some areas in which they were falling short. In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, written about AD 51, he addresses these developments. Paul expresses gratitude for the Thessalonian believers' spiritual progress, and frequently makes references to Christ's impending return.