The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians - Chapter 4:4-7, 11-12
4 That everyone of you should know, how to possess his vessel (a) in holiness and honor, 5 And not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man oppress or defraud his brother in any matter: for the Lord is avenger of all such things, as we also have told you beforetime, and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. (b)
11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to meddle with your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you. 12 That ye may behave yourselves honestly toward them that are without, and that nothing be lacking unto you.
(a) See 2 Corinthians 4:7
(b) See 1 Peter 1:15-16
Study Notes - John Gill (Ed. RPW. Sr.)
For a man to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour, is to keep under his body and bring it into subjection, and preserve it in purity and chastity; as the eyes from unchaste looks, the tongue from unchaste words, and the other members from unchaste actions; and to use it in an honourable way, not in fornication, adultery, and sodomy; for, by fornication, a man sins against his own body; and by adultery he gets a wound, and a dishonour, and a reproach that will not be wiped away; and by sodomy, and such like unnatural lusts, men dishonour their own bodies. This then is another reason to enforce the above exhortations, and to caution them against the above unclean practices, taken from the end of the effectual calling by the efficacious grace of God, which is not, of any sort, as before specified. This they had lived in before their calling, and were now called from it into communion with Christ, who loves righteousness, and hates iniquity; and by the Gospel, which teaches to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and to forsake all impurity, both of flesh and spirit: however now they are called into a life of and conversation in general, and to chastity in thought, look, word, and actions in particular; for God that calls is holy, and therefore those who are called ought to be so; the calling with which they are called is an holy calling, principles of grace and holiness are wrought in their souls, when they are called; and the end of their calling is to live soberly, righteously, and godly; and then, and then only, do they walk worthy of that calling wherewith they are called, and of God who has, by his grace, called them to his kingdom and glory.
Therefore to walk decently, in good credit and reputation, providing things honest in the sight of all men, for themselves and families, and honestly paying every man his own; on which account it became them to mind their own business, and work at their trades; otherwise their walk and conversation would be scandalous, and not honest and honourable: and show to them, that is to say, the men of the world, who were without the church; see ( 1 Corinthians 5:12 ) profane sinners, unconverted Gentiles, that were without Christ and hope, and God in the world, and were aliens and strangers; and yet care should be taken that no occasion be given to such to reproach the name of God, the ways of Christ, and the doctrines of the Gospel. Finally it is prayed for that you lack nothing either spiritually or in any other thing, so as to prove the providence and blessings of our heavenly Creator. Thereby exhibiting the new man to those who live outside the word of God.
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