1 Thessalonians 4:6

[Whyme]

Just now, johnthebaptist said:

What else would it be?

I dont know, it sounds strange to me.

[Hopefully]

Here is a commentary that talks about it that you may find helpful 

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.

https://www.bibleref.com/1-Thessalonians/4/1-Thessalonians-4-6.html

 

 

[appy]

When we think of the word “defraud, we often think of obtaining money or other items by deception. Such as scamming. But we can “cheat” another person in thought, word, and deed. I like to use an online bible site that allows me to view multiple versions at the same time. I find this quite helpful when having difficulty understanding a given passage. But it also helps to have a bit of knowledge of the time and people the author was speaking to.

Yes the passage is speaking of adultery. Do realize that when we cheat someone out of something we have essentially stolen from them. So if a man has an affair with another man's wife, he has stolen what belongs to another.

Why does God take Adultery so seriously? When adultery is committed, both parties abandon the promises made in the presence of God. But really the passage isn't so much limited to marriage, but speaking of sexual immorality overall. Because sexual immorality is a turning away from God. Sexual immorality is dishonesty in God's eyes for He created the marriage bed to be sacred.

Thessalonica had a reputation for evil and licentiousness (disregarding sexual restraints) and surrounded with a culture of heathenism and gross immorality. It is then no wonder that Paul speaking to the newly converts, stresses the need for keeping the marriage bed sacred and gave a very strong warning against such acts.

I have paired the living bible's paraphrase, along with another respected version that might help bring a little more clarity to the verse for you.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:6 (TLB)

And this also is God’s will: that you never cheat in this matter by taking another man’s wife because the Lord will punish you terribly for this, as we have solemnly told you before.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:6 (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.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:6 (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.

 

[OneLight]

Perhaps this will help understand what Paul was talking about when considering sexual immorality.

Galatians 5:16-24

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

[TheBlade]

Hi.. always read above and below a verse. Its not about marriage and it what is written.. to take advantage of. Again this is not talking about marriage. What two married people do is between them..for each other  This is what I understand as I read search.. 

[johnthebaptist]

6 hours ago, Whyme said:

I dont know, it sounds strange to me.

Sexual chastity is a straightforward concept. I think that is all we need concern ourselves with.

[appy]

Whyme has the right concept per the op. But seems to be having trouble grasping the way the sentence is structured. “Taking advantage of” is the definition of “defraud”. But it also means to cheat someone out of something. Swindle. Which is why I used the word defraud in my first post of this thread. So, a person taking advantage of a brother in the Lord, is a person cheating with the brother's wife. The phrase, “he or she cheated on a spouse” comes to mind, except that the cheater in the passage isn't the spouse, but another person outside of the marriage. Anything done, outside of marriage is sexual immorality. Given the customs of the time, the Thessalonians thought nothing of having relations with other people's spouses.

This specific passage is most definitely speaking of adultery and sexual immorality. Even a man and a woman who are not married fit in this passage, because doing so, violates God's design of marriage. 

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (TLB)
 3-4 For God wants you to be holy and pure and to keep clear of all sexual sin so that each of you will marry in holiness and honor— 5 not in lustful passion as the heathen do, in their ignorance of God and his ways.  6 And this also is God’s will: that you never cheat in this matter by taking another man’s wife because the Lord will punish you terribly for this, as we have solemnly told you before. 7 For God has not called us to be dirty-minded and full of lust but to be holy and clean. 8 If anyone refuses to live by these rules, he is not disobeying the rules of men but of God who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (NKJV)
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 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. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (NIV)
3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 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. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

 

[Desopixi Seilynam]

I think 4:6 is a separate thought.

It's a list.

 

That you abstain from fornication.

That you know how to posses your body in sanctification and honor; not in lust.

That no one take advantage of anyone in any matter.

 

But concerning brotherly love you need not that I write to you,
for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

Mind your own business and work with your own hands (not by taking advantage of another)
That you may walk properly toward them that are outside of the Church,
and that you may have lack of nothing.