1 Thessalonians 4:7 (ASV)

Passage

For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.

Nearby Context

1 Thessalonians 4:5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God;

1 Thessalonians 4:6 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.

1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.

1 Thessalonians 4:8 Therefore he that rejecteth, rejecteth not man, but God, who giveth his Holy Spirit unto you.

1 Thessalonians 4:9 But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another;

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "called", "uncleanness", and "sanctification". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "called" and "uncleanness", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 6's "that no man transgress and wrong his..." into verse 8's "Therefore he that rejecteth rejecteth not man...", so "called" and "uncleanness" belong inside that flow. In 1 Thessalonians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "called" and "uncleanness" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.