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 indeed you are practicing it toward all the brothers and sisters in all of Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11to aspire to lead a quiet life, to attend to your own business, and to work with your hands, as we commanded you. In this way you will live a decent life before outsiders and not be in need. 13Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep as Christians.

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 5:22Stay away from every form of evil.
• Romans 12:17Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people.
• Romans 13:13Let us live decently as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in discord and jealousy.
• 2 Corinthians 8:20We did this as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering.
• Philippians 4:8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.
• 1 Peter 2:12and maintain good conduct among the non-Christians, so that though they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears.
• 1 Peter 3:16Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you.
• Mark 4:11He said to them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those outside, everything is in parables,
• 1 Corinthians 5:12For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Are you not to judge those inside?
• Colossians 4:5Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities.
• 1 Timothy 3:7And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.
• 1 Peter 3:1In the same way, wives, be subject to your own husbands. Then, even if some are disobedient to the word, they will be won over without a word by the way you live,
• 2 Corinthians 11:7Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you could be exalted, because I proclaimed 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