1 Thessalonians 4:11
WEB
and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you,
BSB
and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.
KJV
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
Matthew Henry
Greek interlinear
G2532
and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet
Derivation: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force;
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
G5389
labour, strive, study
Derivation: middle voice from a compound of G5384 and G5092;
to be fond of honor, i.e. emulous (eager or earnest to do something)
KJV: labour, strive, study.
See also: G5384, G5092.
G2270
cease, hold peace, be quiet, rest
Derivation: from the same as G2272;
to keep still (intransitively), i.e. refrain from labor, meddlesomeness or speech
KJV: cease, hold peace, be quiet, rest.
See also: G2272.
G4238
commit, deeds, do, exact, keep, require, use arts
Derivation: a primary verb;
to "practise", i.e. perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from G4160, which properly refers to a single act); by implication, to execute, accomplish, etc.; specially, to collect (dues), fare (personally)
KJV: commit, deeds, do, exact, keep, require, use arts.
See also: G4160.
G3588
the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc
, including the feminine ἡ , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;
Derivation: the definite article;
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
G2398
X his acquaintance, when they were alone, apart, aside, due, his (own, proper, several), home, (her, our, thine, your) own (business), private(-ly), proper, severally, their (own)
Derivation: of uncertain affinity;
pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate
KJV: X his acquaintance, when they were alone, apart, aside, due, his (own, proper, several), home, (her, our, thine, your) own (business), private(-ly), proper, severally, their (own).
G2038
commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work
Derivation: middle voice from G2041;
to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc.
KJV: commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work.
See also: G2041.
G5495
hand
Derivation: perhaps from the base of G5494 in the sense of its congener the base of G5490 (through the idea of hollowness for grasping);
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or instrument)
KJV: hand.
See also: G5494, G5490.
G4771
thou
Derivation: the personal pronoun of the second person singular;
thou
KJV: thou.
See also G4571, G4671, G4675; and for the plural G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.
See also: G4675, G4571, G4671, G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.
G2531
according to, (according, even) as, how, when
Derivation: from G2596 and G5613;
just (or inasmuch) as, that
KJV: according to, (according, even) as, how, when.
See also: G2596, G5613.
G3853
(give in) charge, (give) command(-ment), declare
Derivation: from G3844 and the base of G32;
to transmit a message, i.e. (by implication) to enjoin
KJV: (give in) charge, (give) command(-ment), declare.
See also: G3844, G32.
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Verses 9–12
1 Thessalonians 4:9–12
In these words the apostle mentions the great duties,
I. Of brotherly love. This he exhorts them to increase in yet more and more. The exhortation is introduced, not with a compliment, but with a commendation, because they were remarkable in the exercise of it, which made it less needful that he should write to them about it, Th1 4:9. Thus by his good opinion of them he insinuated himself into their affections, and so made way for his exhortation to them. Note, We should take notice of that in others which is good, to their praise, that by so doing we may lay engagements upon them to abound therein more and more. Observe,
1. What it is that the apostle commends in them. It was not so much their own virtue as God's grace; yet he takes notice of the evidence they gave of the grace of God in them. (1.) It was God's grace that he took special notice of: that God had taught them this good lesson: You yourselves are taught of God to love one another, Th1 4:9. Whoever does that which is good is taught of God to do it, and God must have the glory. All who are savingly taught of God are taught this lesson, to love one another. This is the livery of Christ's family. Note also, The teaching of the Spirit exceeds the teaching of men; and, as no man should teach contrary to what God teaches, so none can teach so effectually as he teaches; and men's teaching is fain and useless unless God teach also. (2.) The Thessalonians gave good evidence of their being taught of God by their love to the brethren in all Macedonia, Th1 4:10. They not only loved those of their own city and society, or such as were near them and just of their own sentiments, but their love was extensive. And a true Christian's is so to all the saints, though distant from him in place, and differing from him in some opinions or practices of less moment.
2. The exhortation itself is to increase more and more in this great grace and duty of brotherly love, Th1 4:10. Though these Thessalonians had in some sense no need of an exhortation to brotherly love, as if it were wholly wanting, yet they must be exhorted to pray for more, and labour for more. There are none on this side heaven who love in perfection. Those who are eminent in this or any other grace have need of increase therein as well as of perseverance unto the end.
II. Of quietness and industry in their callings. Observe, 1. The apostle exhorts to these duties: that they should study to be quiet, Th1 4:11. It is the most desirable thing to have a calm and quiet temper, and to be of a peaceable and quiet behaviour. This tends much to our own and others' happiness; and Christians should study how to be quiet. We should be ambitious and industrious how to be calm and quiet in our minds, in patience to possess our own souls, and to be quiet towards others; or of a meek and mild, a gentle and peaceable disposition, not given to strife, contention, or division. Satan is very busy to disquiet us; and we have that in our own hearts that disposes us to be disquiet; therefore let us study to be quiet. It follows, Do your own business. When we go beyond this, we expose ourselves to a great deal of inquietude. Those who are busy-bodies, meddling in other men's matters, generally have but little quiet in their own minds and cause great disturbances among their neighbours; at least they seldom mind the other exhortation, to be diligent in their own calling, to work with their own hands; and yet this was what the apostle commanded them, and what is required of us also. Christianity does not discharge us from the work and duty of our particular callings, but teaches us to be diligent therein. 2. The exhortation is enforced with a double argument; namely, (1.) So we shall live creditably. Thus we shall walk honestly, or decently and creditably, towards those that are without, Th1 4:12. This will be to act as becomes the gospel, and will gain a good report from those that are strangers, yea, enemies to it. Note, It is a great ornament to religion when the professors of it are of meek and quiet spirits, diligent to do their own business, and not busy-bodies in other men's matters. (2.) We shall live comfortably, and have lack of nothing, Th1 4:12. People often by their slothfulness bring themselves into narrow circumstances, and reduce themselves to great straits, and are liable to many wants, when such as are diligent in their own business live comfortably and have lack of nothing. They are not burdensome to their friends, nor scandalous to strangers. They earn their own bread, and have the greatest pleasure in so doing.
Cross-references: 1Thess 4:9 · 1Thess 4:10 · 1Thess 4:11 · 1Thess 4:12