Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

"Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk, --that ye abound more and more. For ye know what charge we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication; that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God; that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. Therefore he that rejecteth, rejecteth not man, but God, who giveth his Holy Spirit unto you." — 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 (ASV)

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 should walk and act is the commandments given by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sanctification, which involves the renewal of their souls under the influences of the Holy Spirit and attention to appointed duties, constituted God's will for them.

In aspiring to this renewal of the soul to holiness, strict restraint must be exercised over the appetites and senses of the body, and over the thoughts and inclinations of the will, which lead to their misuse.

The Lord calls no one into His family to live unholy lives, but rather so that they may be taught and enabled to walk before Him in holiness.

Some make light of the precepts of holiness because they hear them from men; but these are God's commands, and to break them is to despise God.