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Amplified Bible

1 Thessalonians 4:4

that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor [being available for God's purpose and separated from things profane],

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Adultery;   Blindness;   Gentiles;   Holiness;   Sanctification;   The Topic Concordance - Defrauding;   Despisement;   Sexual Activities;   Teaching;   Vengeance;   Will of God;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Sanctification;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Thessalonians, Epistle to the 1 and 2;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Adultery;   Fornication;   Marriage;   Men;   Self-discipline;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Lust;   Marriage;   Sanctification;   Thessalonians, First and Second, Theology of;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Thessalonians, the Epistles to the;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Concupiscence;   Ethics;   Immorality;   Sanctification;   Sex, Biblical Teaching on;   1 Thessalonians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Marriage;   Sanctification, Sanctify;   Thessalonians, First Epistle to the;   Vessels;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Abstinence;   Thessalonians Epistles to the;   Vessel;   Woman;   Worldliness;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - 6 Holiness Sanctification;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Thessalo'nians, First Epistle to the,;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Possess;   Sanctification;   Thessalonians, the First Epistle of Paul to the;   Vessel;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
that each of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
King James Version (1611)
That euery one of you should know how to possesse his vessell in sanctification and honour:
King James Version
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
English Standard Version
that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
New American Standard Bible
that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
New Century Version
He wants each of you to learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
Legacy Standard Bible
that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
Berean Standard Bible
each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
Contemporary English Version
Respect and honor your wife.
Complete Jewish Bible
that each of you know how to manage his sexual impulses in a holy and honorable manner,
Darby Translation
that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honour,
Easy-to-Read Version
God wants each one of you to learn to control your own body. Use your body in a way that is holy and that gives honor to God.
Geneva Bible (1587)
That euery one of you should know, how to possesse his vessell in holines and honour,
George Lamsa Translation
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
Good News Translation
Each of you should know how to live with your wife in a holy and honorable way,
Lexham English Bible
that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
Literal Translation
each one of you to know to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor,
American Standard Version
that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
Bible in Basic English
So that every one of you may keep his body holy and in honour;
Hebrew Names Version
that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
International Standard Version
each of you must know how to control his own bodyvessel
">[fn] in holiness and honor,Romans 6:19; 1 Corinthians 6:15,18;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
and that every man of you know to possess his vessel in sanctification and in honour,
Murdock Translation
and that each one of you might know how to possess his vessel, in sanctity and in honor;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
That euery one of you should knowe how to possesse his vessell in holynesse and honour:
English Revised Version
that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honour,
World English Bible
that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
That every one of you know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
Weymouth's New Testament
that each man among you shall know how to procure a wife who shall be his own in purity and honour;
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
That ech of you kunne welde his vessel in holynesse, and onour;
Update Bible Version
that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
Webster's Bible Translation
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor;
New English Translation
that each of you know how to possess his own body in holiness and honor,
New King James Version
that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
New Living Translation
Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—
New Life Bible
God wants each of you to use his body in the right way by keeping it holy and by respecting it.
New Revised Standard
that each one of you know how to control your own body in holiness and honor,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
That ye should know, each one of you, how, of his own vessel, to possess himself in sanctification and honour:
Douay-Rheims Bible
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour,
Revised Standard Version
that each one of you know how to take a wife for himself in holiness and honor,
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
that every one of you shuld knowe how to kepe his vessell in holynes and honoure
Young's Literal Translation
that each of you know his own vessel to possess in sanctification and honour,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
yt euery one of you shulde knowe how to kepe his vessell in holynes and honoure,
Mace New Testament (1729)
that every one of you should take care to preserve the dignity of his
THE MESSAGE
Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body, not abusing it, as is so common among those who know nothing of God.
Simplified Cowboy Version
A top hand controls his body and his desires. Be honorable and admirable in all that you do and at all times.

Contextual Overview

1Finally, believers, we ask and admonish you in the Lord Jesus, that you follow the instruction that you received from us about how you ought to walk and please God (just as you are actually doing) and that you excel even more and more [pursuing a life of purpose and living in a way that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation]. 2For you know what commandments and precepts we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3For this is the will of God, that you be sanctified [separated and set apart from sin]: that you abstain and back away from sexual immorality; 4that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor [being available for God's purpose and separated from things profane],5not [to be used] in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God and are ignorant of His will; 6and that [in this matter of sexual misconduct] no man shall transgress and defraud his brother because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we have told you before and solemnly warned you. 7For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private]. 8So whoever rejects and disregards this is not [merely] rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you [to dwell in you and empower you to overcome temptation].

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

should: Romans 6:19, Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 6:15, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

his: 1 Samuel 21:5, Acts 9:15, Romans 9:21-23, 2 Timothy 2:20, 2 Timothy 2:21, 1 Peter 3:7

honour: Philippians 4:8, Hebrews 13:4

Reciprocal: Esther 2:12 - to go in Romans 1:24 - to dishonour 1 Thessalonians 4:3 - your

Cross-References

Genesis 4:16
So Cain went away from the [manifested] presence of the LORD, and lived in the land of Nod [wandering in exile], east of Eden.
Genesis 4:17
Cain knew his wife [one of Adam's descendants] and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch; and Cain built a city and named it Enoch, after the name of his son.
Genesis 4:19
And Lamech took for himself two wives; the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other, Zillah.
Genesis 4:20
Adah gave birth to Jabal; he became the father of those [nomadic herdsmen] who live in tents and have cattle and raise livestock.
Genesis 15:17
When the sun had gone down and a [deep] darkness had come, there appeared a smoking brazier and a flaming torch which passed between the [divided] pieces [of the animals].
Exodus 13:12
you shall set apart and dedicate to the LORD all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock shall be the LORD'S.
Leviticus 9:24
Then fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell face downward [in awe and worship].
Numbers 16:35
Fire also came forth from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering the incense.
Numbers 18:12
"All the best of the fresh [olive] oil, and all the best of the new wine and of the grain, the first fruits of those which they give to the LORD, I give them to you.
Numbers 18:17
"But the firstborn of a cow or of a sheep or of a goat you shall not redeem; they are holy [and belong to the LORD]. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar and shall offer up their fat in smoke as an offering by fire, for a sweet and soothing aroma to the LORD.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

That everyone of you should know how to possess his vessel,.... By which may be meant, either a man's wife, or his body, and it is not very easy to determine which, for the Jews call both by this name. Sometimes they call p a woman גולם, which the gloss says is a "vessel" unfinished. It is reported q, that when R. Eleazar died, Rabbenu Hakkadosh would have married his widow, and she would not, because she was כלי של קדושה, "a vessel of holiness", greater than he. Moreover, it is said r, that

"he that forces (a young woman) must drink בעציצו, "in his own vessel" how drink in his own vessel? though she be lame, though she be blind, and though she is stricken with ulcers.''

The commentators s on the passage add,

"in the vessel which he has chosen; that is to say, whether he will or not, he must marry her;''

see Proverbs 5:15. And again, they sometimes call a man's wife his tent: hence that saving t,

"wtva ala wlha Nya "there is no tent but his wife", as it is said, Deuteronomy 5:30, go, say to them, get you into your tents again.''

And certain it is, that the woman is called the "weaker vessel" in 1 Peter 3:7, between which passage and this there seems to be some agreement. The same metaphor of a "vessel" is made use of in both; and as there, honour to be given to the weaker vessel, so here, a man's vessel is to be possessed in honour; and as there, husbands are to dwell with their wives according to knowledge so here, knowledge is required to a man's possessing his vessel aright. Now for a man to possess his vessel in this sense, is to enjoy his wife, and to use that power he has over her in a becoming manner; see 1 Corinthians 7:4, and which is here directed to "in sanctification and honour"; that is, in a chaste and honourable way; for marriage is honourable when the bed is kept undefiled; and which may be defiled, not only by taking another into it, and which is not possessing the wife in sanctification and honour, it is the reverse, for it is a breaking through the rules of chastity and honour; but it may even be defiled with a man's own wife, by using her in an unnatural way, or by any unlawful copulation with her; for so to do is to use her in an unholy, unchaste, wicked, and dishonourable manner; whereas possessing of her according to the order and course of nature, is by the Jews, in agreement with the apostle, called u, מקדש עצמו, "a man's sanctifying himself", and is chaste, and honourable. And it may be observed, that the Jews use the same phrase concerning conjugal embraces as the apostle does here. One of their canons runs thus w:

"though a man's wife is free for him at all times, it is fit and proper for a disciple of a wise man to use himself

בקדושה, "in", or "to sanctification".''

When these thing's are observed, this sense of the words will not appear so despicable as it is thought by some. The body is indeed called a "vessel"; see 2 Corinthians 4:7, because in it the soul is contained, and the soul makes use of it, and its members, as instruments, for the performance of various actions; and, with Jewish writers, we read of כלי גופו, "the vessel of his body" x; so then, for a man to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour, is to keep under his body and bring it into subjection, and preserve it in purity and chastity; as the eyes from unchaste looks, the tongue from unchaste words, and the other members from unchaste actions; and to use it in an honourable way, not in fornication, adultery, and sodomy; for, by fornication, a man sins against his own body; and by adultery he gets a wound, and a dishonour, and a reproach that will not be wiped away; and by sodomy, and such like unnatural lusts, men dishonour their own bodies between themselves: particularly by "his vessel", as Gataker thinks, may be meant the "membrum virile", or the genital parts, which, by an euphemism, may he so called; see 1 Samuel 21:5

p T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol 22. 2. q Juchasin, fol. 48. 2. Shalsheleth Hakkabala, fol. 23. 1. r Misna Cetubot, c. 3. sect. 4, 5. s Jarchi & Bartenora in ib. t T. Bab. Moed Katon, fol. 7. 2. & 15. 2. u Maimon. in Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 7. sect. 4. w Maimon. Hilch Deyot, c. 5. sect. 4. x Caphtor, fol. 57. 2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel - The word “vessel” here (σκεῦος skeuos), probably refers to the body. When it is so used, it is either because the body is frail and feeble, like an earthen vessel, easily broken 2 Corinthians 4:7, or because it is that which contains the soul, or in which the soul is lodged. Lucret. Lib. iii. 441. The word vessel also (Greek σκεῦος skeuos) was used by the latter Hebrews to denote a wife, as the vessel of her husband. Schoettg. Hor. Heb. p. 827. Compare Wetstein in loc. Many, as Augustine, Wetstein, Schoettgen, Koppe, Robinson (Lex.), and others, have supposed that this is the reference here; compare 1 Peter 3:7. The word body, however, accords more naturally with the usual signification of the word, and as the apostle was giving directions to the whole church, embracing both sexes, it is hardly probable that he confined his direction to those who had wives. It was the duty of females, and of the unmarried among the males, as well as of married men, to observe this command. The injunction then is, that we should preserve the body pure; see the notes on 1 Corinthians 6:18-20.

In sanctification and honour - Should not debase or pollute it; that is, that we should honor it as a noble work of God, to be employed for pure purposes; notes, 1 Corinthians 6:19.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Thessalonians 4:4. How to possess his vessel — Let every man use his wife for the purpose alone for which God created her, and instituted marriage. The word ακευος answers to the Hebrew כלי keli, which, though it signifies vessel in general, has several other meanings. That the rabbins frequently express wife by it, Schoettgen largely proves; and to me it appears very probable that the apostle uses it in that sense here. St. Peter calls the wife the weaker VESSEL, 1 Peter 3:7. Others think that the body is meant, which is the vessel in which the soul dwells. In this sense St. Paul uses it, 2 Corinthians 4:7: We have this treasure in earthen VESSELS; and in this sense it is used by both Greek and Roman authors. There is a third sense which interpreters have put on the word, which I forbear to name. The general sense is plain; purity and continency are most obviously intended, whether the word be understood as referring to the wife or the husband, as the following verse sufficiently proves.


 
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