Tag Archives: 1 Thessalonians 4:7

Οὐ γὰρ ἐκάλεσεν ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς ἐπὶ ἀκαθαρσίᾳ, ἀλλ’ ἐν ἁγιασμῷ. (1 Thessalonians 4:7)

“For God did not call us to impurity, but in holiness.”

The Nature of the Call

Paul admonishes the Thessalonians regarding sexual purity and sanctification. In verse 7, he anchors his ethical exhortation in the theology of divine calling:

οὐ γὰρ ἐκάλεσεν ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς ἐπὶ ἀκαθαρσίᾳ, ἀλλ’ ἐν ἁγιασμῷ.

This contrast establishes the goal and sphere of Christian living, expressed through two distinct prepositions: ἐπὶ (implying purpose or result) and ἐν (implying the moral environment of sanctification).

Morphological Breakdown οὐ  – Form: negative particle; Meaning: “not”; Usage: negates the finite verb ἐκάλεσεν γὰρ  – Form: coordinating conjunction; Meaning: “for,” “because”; Usage: introduces a theological rationale for the previous exhortation.… Learn Koine Greek