Autism Bible Study: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

This article presents a neurodivergent theological reflection on 1 Thessalonians 4:3–8, emphasizing the call to sexual purity as an expression of sanctification in Christ. Written from the perspective of a theologian on the autism spectrum, the study integrates biblical exegesis, classical commentary, and psychological insights on autistic sexuality. By engaging sources such as Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary, Howell’s Christ-Centered Exposition, and Arroyo Estrada’s research on autism and sexuality, the author explores the moral and spiritual struggles faced by neurodivergent Christians within a contemporary, hypersexualized culture. Through a blend of confessional narrative and inductive analysis, the article argues that sexual purity is not merely behavioral restraint but participation in God’s sanctifying grace. It concludes that individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities can pursue holiness authentically by confronting temptation with humility, prayer, and dependence on divine strength rather than self-sufficiency. The study contributes to the broader discourse on theology and disability, proposing a framework for understanding sanctification through the lived experience of autism.