1 Thessalonians 4:11

1 Thessalonians 4:11 in other versions

• King James Version (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;
• New International Version (NIV)and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,
• English Standard Version (ESV)and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,
• New King James Version (NKJV)that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,

Context of 1 Thessalonians 4:11

9Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need for anyone to write you, for you have been [personally] taught by God to love one another [that is, to have an unselfish concern for others and to do things for their benefit]. 10For indeed you already do practice it toward all the believers throughout Macedonia [by actively displaying your love and concern for them]. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, that you excel [in this matter] more and more, and to make it your ambition to live quietly and peacefully, and to mind your own affairs and work with your hands, just as we directed you, 12so that you will behave properly toward outsiders [exhibiting good character, personal integrity, and moral courage worthy of the respect of the outside world], and be dependent on no one and in need of nothing [be self-supporting]. 13Now we do not want you to be uninformed, believers, about those who are asleep [in death], so that you will not grieve [for them] as the others do who have no hope [beyond this present life].

1 Thessalonians 4:11 word by word

καὶ φιλοτιμεῖσθαι ἡσυχάζειν καὶ πράσσειν τὰ ἴδια καὶ ἐργάζεσθαι ταῖς ἰδίαις χερσὶν ὑμῶν καθὼς ὑμῖν παρηγγείλαμεν·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• that ye studyφιλοτιμέομαιphilotimeomai · to aspireG5389
• to be quietἡσυχάζωhēsuchazō · be quiet/give upG2270
• to doπράσσωprassō · to do/requireG4238
• businessἴδιοςidios · one's own/privateG2398
• to workἐργάζομαιergazomai · to workG2038
• yourσύsu · youG4771
• handsχείρcheir · handG5495
• asκαθώςkathōs · as/just asG2531
• we commandedπαραγγέλλωparaggellō · to orderG3853

Cross-references for 1 Thessalonians 4:11

• Proverbs 17:1Better is a dry morsel [of food served] with quietness and peace Than a house full of feasting [served] with strife and contention.
• Ecclesiastes 4:6One hand full of rest and patience is better than two fists full of labor and chasing after the wind.
• Lamentations 3:26It is good that one waits quietly For the salvation of the Lord.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:12Now such people we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work quietly and earn their own food and other necessities [supporting themselves instead of depending on the hospitality of others].
• 1 Timothy 2:2for kings and all who are in [positions of] high authority, so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
• 1 Peter 3:4but let it be [the inner beauty of] the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, [one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature] which is very precious in the sight of God.
• Romans 15:20Accordingly I set a goal to preach the gospel, not where Christ’s name was already known, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation;
• 2 Corinthians 5:9Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth] or away from home [and with Him], it is our [constant] ambition to be pleasing to Him.
• Mark 13:34It is like a man away on a journey, who when he left home put his servants in charge, each with his particular task, and also ordered the doorkeeper to be continually alert.
• Luke 12:42The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward [of the estate], whom his master will put in charge over his household, to give his servants their portion of food at the proper time?
• Romans 12:4For just as in one [physical] body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function or special use,
• Colossians 3:22Servants, in everything obey those who are your masters on earth, not only with external service, as those who merely please people, but with sincerity of heart because of your fear of the Lord.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:11Indeed, we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined and inappropriate life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies [meddling in other people’s business].
• 1 Timothy 5:13Now at the same time, they also learn to be idle as they go from house to house; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies [meddlers in things that do not concern them], talking about things they should not mention.
• 1 Peter 4:10Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].
• Acts 20:35In everything I showed you [by example] that by working hard in this way you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed [and brings greater joy] to give than to receive.’ ”

Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 4:11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11That ye study to be quiet - Though in general the Church at Thessalonica was pure and exemplary, yet there seem to have been some idle, tattling people among them, who disturbed the peace of others; persons who, under the pretense of religion, gadded about from house to house; did not work, but were burdensome to others; and were continually meddling with other people's business, making parties, and procuring their bread by religious gossiping. To these…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11And that ye study to be quiet - Orderly, peaceful; living in the practice of the calm virtues of life. The duty to which he would exhort them was that of being subordinate to the laws; of avoiding all tumult and disorder; of calmly pursuing their regular avocations, and of keeping themselves from all the assemblages of the idle, the restless, and the dissatisfied. No Christian should be engaged in a mob; none should be identified with the popular…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-12Verses 9-12 We should notice in others what is good, to their praise, that we may engage them to abound therein more and more. All who are savingly taught of God, are taught to love one another. The teaching of the Spirit exceeds the teachings of men; and men's teaching is vain and useless, unless God teach. Those remarkable for this or any other grace, need to increase therein, as well as to persevere to the end. It is very desirable to have a calm and…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11to live quietly means being worthy of respect and not causing problems in the community. work with your hands: The apostle Paul had previously instructed through his teaching and personal example that they should earn their own living (see Thessalonians 3:7–9; 10).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1111. study to be quiet--Greek, "make it your ambition to be quiet, and to do your own business." In direct contrast to the world's ambition, which is, "to make a great stir," and "to be busybodies" (2Th 3:11, 12). work with your own hands--The Thessalonian converts were, it thus seems, chiefly of the working classes. Their expectation of the immediate coming of Christ led some enthusiasts among them to neglect their daily work and be dependent on the…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Thessalonians 4:11

• Commandments
• Evil
• Honesty
• Industry
• Labor

In the dictionaries

• Asleep
• Poor
• Quiet
• Rise
• Sleep
• Trump
• Ambitious
• Business
• Disorderly
• Thessalonians, the First Epistle of Paul to the

Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings