That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel - The word "vessel" here ( ͂ 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 II 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 ͂ 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 I 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 I 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, I Corinthians 6:19.

Other Barnes' Notes entries containing 1 Thessalonians 4:4:

Acts 9:15
Romans 9:22-23
1 Thessalonians 4:3
1 Thessalonians 4:6
1 Peter 3:7

 

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