I Thessalonians 4:4
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each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
know--by moral self-control. how to possess his vessel--rather as Greek, "how to acquire (get for himself) his own vessel," that is, that each should have his own wife so as to avoid fornication (Th1 4:3; Co1 7:2). The emphatical position of "his own" in the Greek, and the use of "vessel" for wife, in Pe1 3:7, and in common Jewish phraseology, and the correct translation "acquire," all justify this rendering. in sanctification-- (Rom 6:19; Co1 6:15, Co1 6:18). Thus, "his own" stands in opposition to dishonoring his brother by lusting after his wife (Th1 4:6). honour-- (Heb 13:4) contrasted with "dishonor their own bodies" (Rom 1:24).
Open source ↗In this chapter the apostle gives earnest exhortations to abound in holiness, with a caution against uncleanness, enforced with several arguments (Th1 4:1-8). He then mentions the great duties of brotherly love, and quietness with industry in our callings (Th1 4:9-12). And concludes with comforting those who mourned for their relations and friends that died in the Lord (Th1 4:13-18).
Open source ↗4:4 will control his own body: Self-control brings honor from others (Rom 12:10) and from God (Rom 2:7; 1 Pet 5:4, 6).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.
I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.
“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another.