1 Thessalonians 4:12

1 Thessalonians 4:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
• New International Version (NIV)so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
• English Standard Version (ESV)so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
• New King James Version (NKJV)that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

Context of 1 Thessalonians 4:12

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, 11and 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, so 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]. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again [as in fact He did], even so God [in this same way—by raising them from the dead] will bring with Him those [believers] who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:12 word by word

ἵνα περιπατῆτε εὐσχημόνως πρὸς τοὺς ἔξω καὶ μηδενὸς χρείαν ἔχητε.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• ye may walkπεριπατέωperipateō · to walkG4043
• honestlyεὐσχημόνωςeuschēmonōs · properlyG2156
• towardπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• them that areὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• withoutἔξωexō · out/outside(r)G1854
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• ye may haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• lackχρείαchreia · needG5532
• of nothingμηδείςmēdeis mēdemia mēden · nothingG3367

Cross-references for 1 Thessalonians 4:12

• 1 Thessalonians 5:22Abstain from every form of evil [withdraw and keep away from it].
• Romans 12:17Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone.
• Romans 13:13Let us conduct ourselves properly and honorably as in the [light of] day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and irresponsibility, not in quarreling and jealousy.
• 2 Corinthians 8:20We are taking precaution so that no one will [find anything with which to] discredit us in our administration of this generous gift.
• Philippians 4:8Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].
• 1 Peter 2:12Keep your behavior excellent among the [unsaved] Gentiles [conduct yourself honorably, with graciousness and integrity], so that for whatever reason they may slander you as evildoers, yet by observing your good deeds they may [instead come to] glorify God in the day of visitation [when He looks upon them with mercy].
• 1 Peter 3:16And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed [by their own words].
• Mark 4:11He said to them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you [who have teachable hearts], but those who are outside [the unbelievers, the spiritually blind] get everything in parables,
• 1 Corinthians 5:12For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders (non-believers)? Do you not judge those who are within the church [to protect the church as the situation requires]?
• Colossians 4:5Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious].
• 1 Timothy 3:7And he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside the church, so that he will not be discredited and fall into the devil’s trap.
• 1 Peter 3:1In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for the responsibilities entrusted to husbands and their accountability to God, and so partnering with them] so that even if some do not obey the word [of God], they may be won over [to Christ] without discussion by the godly lives of their wives,
• 2 Corinthians 11:7Or did I [perhaps] sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted and honored, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge?

Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 4:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12That ye may walk honestly - · Becomingly, decently, respectably; as is consistent with the purity, holiness, gravity, and usefulness of your Christian calling. Them that are without - The unconverted Gentiles and Jews. See this expression explained at large on Colossians 4:5. That ye may have lack of nothing - That ye may be able to get your bread by honest labor, which God will ever bless; and be chargeable to no man. He that is dependent on another is…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without - Out of the church; comp notes on Colossians 4:5. The word rendered honestly, means “becomingly, decorously, in a proper manner;” Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 14:40. It does not refer here to mere honesty in the transaction of business, but to their general treatment of those who were not professing Christians. They were to conduct themselves toward them in all respects in a becoming manner - to be…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. 12Not relying on non-Christians for financial help and behaving properly toward them will earn the respect of non-Christians (see Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 5:12–13; Colossians 4:5).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. honestly--in the Old English sense, "becomingly," as becomes your Christian profession; not bringing discredit on it in the eyes of the outer world, as if Christianity led to sloth and poverty (Ro 13:13; 1Pe 2:12). them ... without--outside the Christian Church (Mr 4:11). have lack of nothing--not have to beg from others for the supply of your wants (compare Ep 4:28). So far from needing to beg from others, we ought to work and get the means of…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Thessalonians 4:12

• Commandments
• Evil
• Honesty
• Industry
• Jesus Continued
• Labor

In the dictionaries

• Asleep
• Quiet
• Rise
• Sleep
• Trump
• Become
• Disorderly
• Honest; Honesty
• Thessalonians, the First Epistle of Paul to the
• Thessalonians, the Second 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