What Is The “Vessel” In 1 Thessalonians 4:4?
Categories: Bible Questions and Answers, Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesA querist asks, “In 1 Thessalonians 4:4 – KJV, what is Paul referring to as the vessel in this passage – a wife or a body?”
In the context, the word “vessel” in 1 Thessalonians 4:4 refers to the body of the individual. In fact, this term was a common Greek metaphor for “body” since Greeks thought of souls living temporarily in bodies.
Note that in 1 Thessalonians 4:1 – KJV, Paul uses the phrase, “we beseech you, brethren.” The “brethren” is in reference to the Thessalonian church (1 Thessalonians 1:1). Paul is exhorting them to “walk” acceptably before God in their daily living (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:12; Colossians 1:10).
In the latter part of 1 Thessalonians 4:3-KJV, Paul admonishes them to “abstain from fornication.” The idea Paul is stressing here is the same idea he presents in Colossians 3:5 – KJV, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence (abnormal desire), and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Note that in 1 Thessalonians 4:4-KJV, Paul uses the phrase, “every one of you,” which includes every member of the church, and then exhorts them to “know how to possess his vessel (body) in sanctification and honour.” They are to maintain purity and self-control (Romans 6:19; cf. Romans 6:13; Romans 6:22). When sensual passion is the master of a person, he or she is the one “possessed” (Romans 6:16; cf. 2 Peter 2:19).
Even the inspired apostle Paul had to constantly “discipline his body and keep it under control….”(1 Corinthians 9:27-ESV). As Paul followed Christ, we should be followers of Paul in this regard (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17).