that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
Another less probable interpretation of "possess his own vessel" (1 Thessalonians 4:4) sees the vessel as the wife of the addressee. [Note: Thomas, p. 271; footnote in NIV.] This view takes ktasthai ("possess") as "acquire," its normal meaning, and skeuos ("vessel") as "wife." The use of skeuos, "vessel," to describe one’s body is more common in Greek writings, and its use to describe a woman or wife is more common in Jewish writings. Elsewhere Paul never used skeuos to describe a wife but gune, "woman." [Note: Martin, p. 125.] He used skeuos of one’s own body elsewhere (Romans 9:22-23; 2 Corinthians 4:7; cf. 1 Samuel 21:5). Ktasthai can refer to one’s treatment of himself as well as his wife.