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1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thess. 4:4 KJV (With Strong’s)

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4
That
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
eido (Greek #1492)
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent 3700 and 3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know
KJV usage: be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare 3700.
Pronounce: i'-do
Origin: a primary verb
every one
hekastos (Greek #1538)
each or every
KJV usage: any, both, each (one), every (man, one, woman), particularly.
Pronounce: hek'-as-tos
Origin: as if a superlative of ἕκας (afar)
of you
humon (Greek #5216)
of (from or concerning) you
KJV usage: ye, you, your (own, -selves).
Pronounce: hoo-mone'
Origin: genitive case of 5210
should know how
eido (Greek #1492)
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent 3700 and 3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know
KJV usage: be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare 3700.
Pronounce: i'-do
Origin: a primary verb
to possess
ktaomai (Greek #2932)
to get, i.e. acquire (by any means; own)
KJV usage: obtain, possess, provide, purchase.
Pronounce: ktah'-om-ahee
Origin: a primary verb
his
heautou (Greek #1438)
him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.
KJV usage: alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).
Pronounce: heh-ow-too'
Origin: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of 846
vessel
skeuos (Greek #4632)
a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (literally or figuratively (specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband))
KJV usage: goods, sail, stuff, vessel.
Pronounce: skyoo'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
sanctification
hagiasmos (Greek #38)
properly, purification, i.e. (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier
KJV usage: holiness, sanctification.
Pronounce: hag-ee-as-mos'
Origin: from 37
and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
honor
time (Greek #5092)
a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself
KJV usage: honour, precious, price, some.
Pronounce: tee-may'
Origin: from 5099
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More on:

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Sanctification

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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should.
Rom. 6:19• 19I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. (Rom. 6:19)
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Rom. 12:1• 1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Rom. 12:1)
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1 Cor. 6:15,18‑20• 15Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
 18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Cor. 6:15,18‑20)
his.
1 Sam. 21:5• 5And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel. (1 Sam. 21:5)
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Acts 9:15• 15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: (Acts 9:15)
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Rom. 9:21‑23• 21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?
 22What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
 23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, (Rom. 9:21‑23)
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2 Tim. 2:20‑21• 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.
 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. (2 Tim. 2:20‑21)
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1 Peter 3:7• 7Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (1 Peter 3:7)
honour.
Phil. 4:8• 8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phil. 4:8)
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Heb. 13:4• 4Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. (Heb. 13:4)
• Holiness, of course, goes far beyond freedom from sensuality. Still to stand clear of that which was everywhere sanctioned in ordinary life was no small thing. Nor is the apostle satisfied with the negative duty of abstinence, but calls on " each of them to know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor," instead of letting it drift loosely into sin and shame (“On 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12” by W. Kelly)
• The motives given here show upon what entirely new ground, as regards the commonest morality, Christianity places us. The body was but as a vessel to be used at will for whatever service they chose. They were to possess this vessel, instead of allowing themselves to be carried away by the desires of the flesh. (“1 Thessalonians 4” by J.N. Darby)
• Instead of letting it drift loosely into sin and shame. (“On 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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that each of you know how to possessh his own vessel in sanctificationg and honour,

JND Translation Notes

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h
The Greek is not, I think, "acquire," but "come into possession of," the difference being great in moral things. What I possess myself of, I possess when the action is complete and permanent. Thus Luke 18.12; 21.19. You cannot say "acquire your souls by patience." "Keep," "preserve," is a kindred sense of the word.
g
Hagiasmos. See Note i at Rom. 1.4.

W. Kelly Translation

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that each of you know how to possess himself ofa his own vessel in sanctification and honour,

WK Translation Notes

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a
The Revisers aptly render it, "to possess himself of."