CLAIM: Thomas^[1] argues that the “vessel” (skeuos) refers to a Christian man’s wife (see RSV translation). After all, Peter uses the same Greek word “vessel” (skeuos) to refer to Christian wives: “[Husbands] live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker [asthenesterō skeuei]” (1 Pet. 3:7). Is Paul commanding Christian men to “possess” their wives?

RESPONSE: We agree with Morris^[2] and Bruce^[3] that Paul is commanding men to “possess” their own bodies with sanctification and honor—not their wives.

For one, Paul never uses “vessel” (skeuos) to refer to a man’s wife. He normally uses the word “wife” (gunē). F.F. Bruce writes, “There is no NT parallel for calling a man’s wife his [skeuos].”^[4] If Paul is breaking that consistent pattern here, then this would be the only instance.

Second, Peter simply uses the word “vessel” (skeuos) to refer to the woman’s body as a “weaker vessel” (1 Pet. 3:7). However, even this usage implies that men are also considered a vessel (i.e. a stronger vessel). Bruce writes, “There both man and woman are [‘vessels’] as creatures of God, the woman being the [‘weaker vessel’] of the two. She is certainly not her husband’s [vessel]—indeed, although she herself is called a [vessel], the expression ‘weaker vessel’ refers more particularly to her body (as the ‘vessel’ in our present text is the man’s body).”^[5] On other occasions, the term “vessel” (skeuos) merely refers to someone’s body (2 Cor. 4:7; Rom. 9:22-23; Acts 9:15).

Third, the NT nowhere teaches that men are in possession of their wives. Yet, the term “possess” (ktasthai) means exactly this: “To gain possession of, procure for oneself, acquire, get” (BDAG, p.572). Peter doesn’t say that a husband should control or possess his wife, but rather “honor” her (1 Pet. 3:7). The only case that is remotely in view is 1 Corinthians 7:2. However, that is a case of reciprocal care for one another. Husbands are called to love and sacrificially lead their wives—not control or possess them (Eph. 5:22-28).

Fourth, the OT uses the word “vessel” (skeuos) to refer to a man’s genitalia. In the LXX, Nob tells David that the men can eat the sacred bread if they have kept themselves pure. David says, “the young men’s vessels (skeue) are holy” (1 Sam. 21:5). Commenting on this usage, Bruce writes, “This is the force of skeuos here: ‘that each of you learn to gain control over his own ‘vessel.’”^[6]

^[1] Robert L. Thomas, “1 Thessalonians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through Philemon, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 271.

^[2] Leon Morris, 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 13, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1984), 81-82.

^[3] F. F. Bruce, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, vol. 45, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1982), 83.

^[4] F. F. Bruce, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, vol. 45, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1982), 83-84.

^[5] F. F. Bruce, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, vol. 45, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1982), 83.

^[6] F. F. Bruce, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, vol. 45, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1982), 83.