Devine Scripture

1 Thessalonians 4:11

What does 1 Thessalonians 4:11 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 4:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Thessalonians 4:11 means

Paul urges a paradoxical ambition: “study to be quiet.” Aspire to a calm, peaceable life, avoiding needless strife. Mind your own business—tend your God-given responsibilities instead of meddling. Work with your hands, honoring ordinary labor and refusing idleness. These instructions dignify daily faithfulness and counteract tendencies toward disorder. Manual work, far from demeaning, is a worthy expression of stewardship and love. Such a life blesses the church, reduces temptation, and points to a hope that is steady rather than sensational. The gospel transforms not only worship but weekday habits, shaping believers into dependable people whose conduct commends the Lord they serve.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we charged you;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we charged you;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And that you may take pride in being quiet and doing your business, working with your hands as we gave you orders;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and to study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we did command you,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And that you use your endeavour to be quiet: and that you do your own business and work with your own hands, as we commanded you: and that you walk honestly towards them that are without: and that you want nothing of any man's.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and to seek earnestly to be quiet and mind your own affairs, and work with your [own] hands, even as we charged you,

Context

This verse provides concrete ways to “abound” in love (vv. 9–10). It anticipates practical problems a young church could face—restlessness, meddling, or dependency—and offers simple, godly remedies. Verse 12 will state the twofold outcome of such a lifestyle: a respectable walk before outsiders and freedom from need. With this, Paul closes the section on everyday holiness and community life. He will then turn (v. 13) to eschatological comfort, addressing confusion about believers who have died and assuring the church of the hope grounded in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

v.10for indeed ye do it toward all the brethren that are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brethren, that ye abound more and more;

v.11This passage

v.12that ye may walk becomingly toward them that are without, and may have need of nothing.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 12:11

    in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

  • 1 Peter 3:4

    but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

  • 1 Timothy 2:2

    for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity.

  • 1 Peter 4:10

    according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God;

  • Romans 12:4

    For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office:

  • Titus 3:14

    And let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

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