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

10And you are indeed showing this love to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to excel more and more 11and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone. 13Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. 14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

1 Thessalonians 4:12 word by word

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

• Thenἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• you will behaveπεριπατέωperipateō · to walkG4043
• properlyεὐσχημόνωςeuschēmonōs · properlyG2156
• towardπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• outsidersἔξωexō · out/outside(r)G1854
• ·καίkai · andG2532
• beingἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• dependentχρείαchreia · needG5532
• ·μηδείςmēdeis mēdemia mēden · nothingG3367

Cross-references for 1 Thessalonians 4:12

• 1 Thessalonians 5:22Abstain from every form of evil.
• Romans 12:17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
• Romans 13:13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
• 2 Corinthians 8:20We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.
• Philippians 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
• 1 Peter 2:12Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
• 1 Peter 3:16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
• Mark 4:11He replied, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables,
• 1 Corinthians 5:12What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
• Colossians 4:5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
• 1 Timothy 3:7Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
• 1 Peter 3:1Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives
• 2 Corinthians 11:7Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God 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