12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
12 We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends.
12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
12 Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4:12
Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
(Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12)
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 quiet temper, and to be of a peaceable and quiet behaviour. Satan is busy to trouble us; and we have in our hearts what disposes us to be unquiet; therefore let us study to be quiet. Those who are busy-bodies, meddling in other men's matters, have little quiet in their own minds, and cause great disturbances among their neighbours. They seldom mind the other exhortation, to be diligent in their own calling, to work with their own hands. Christianity does not take us from the work and duty of our particular callings, but teaches us to be diligent therein. People often by slothfulness reduce themselves to great straits, and are liable to many wants; while such as are diligent in their own business, earn their own bread, and have great pleasure in so doing.