1 Thessalonians 4:4-7 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor;… Remark the force of the apostle's expression, we are "called to holiness": in modern language we should express the same idea by saying, that holiness was our profession. It is thus we say that divinity is the profession of a clergyman, that medicine is the profession of a physician, and that arms are the profession of a soldier; and it is readily understood and allowed, that whatever is a man's profession, to that he is bound to devote his time and attention, and in that it is expected he has made a proficiency. And precisely in this sense does the Scripture represent holiness to be the profession of a Christian; not merely that his profession is a holy profession, but that the very object and essence of the profession is holiness. To this Christians are called, this is their business, this they are to cultivate continually, this is the mark to which all their endeavours should be directed. (Jones' Bampton Lectures.) Parallel Verses KJV: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;WEB: that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, |
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