The lust of concupiscence
is the passionate desire of the flesh.
Not in the lust of concupiscence,
even as the Gentiles which know not God.
This is the will of God,
even your sanctification,
that ye should abstain from fornication.
The phrase appears in 1 Thessalonians 4:5. Paul tells the church that each one should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor, not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God. Concupiscence is strong, passionate desire. In this context it is sexual desire that is uncontrolled and dishonorable. The will of God is sanctification. The believer is called to abstain from fornication and to live in a way that pleases God.
- The contrast is with those who do not know God. Knowledge of God changes how a person handles desire.
- The body is to be possessed in sanctification and honor, not driven by lust.
- The same chapter calls for brotherly love and quiet work.
- Jesus is the Lord who calls His people to holiness.
The lust of concupiscence is the old way. Sanctification is the will of God for those who know Him.
Not in the lust of concupiscence,
even as the Gentiles which know not God.
This is the will of God, even your sanctification,
that ye should abstain from fornication.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 is the primary passage.
- Concupiscence means strong, passionate desire.
- The command is to possess one’s vessel in sanctification and honor.
- The contrast is with those who do not know God.
- Sanctification is the will of God.
- Abstaining from fornication is the concrete application.
- The Desire – Passionate, uncontrolled sexual desire.
- The Contrast – The way of those who do not know God.
- The Call – Possess the vessel in sanctification and honor.
- The Will of God – Sanctification.
- The Abstinence – From fornication.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 – “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God.”
- Romans 1:24 – “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves.”
- Galatians 5:16-17 – “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.”
- 1 Peter 2:11 – “Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.”
Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God.
This is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication.
Every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour.
The lust of concupiscence is the old way of uncontrolled desire. Sanctification is the will of God for those who know Him.
Entry compiled for the JESUSaves.com Bible Glossary. Optimized for wiki.js Visual Editor.