5 Grk “to gain [or possess] his own vessel.” “Vessel” is most likely used figuratively for “body” (cf. 2 Cor 4:7). Some take it to mean “wife” (thus, “to take a wife for himself” or “to live with his wife”), but this is less likely. See J. Smith,”1 Thess 4:4—Breaking the Impasse,” 10 (Fall 2000), who argues that “vessel” in this context is very likely a euphemism for the sexual organs.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

NIVNew International Version (2011)

that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God;

CSBChristian Standard Bible

that each of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not with lustful passions, like the Gentiles, who don’t know God.

NLTNew Living Translation

Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, just as also the Gentiles who do not know God;

KJV 1900King James Version

That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

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