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Friday, October 4th, 2024
the Week of Proper 21 / Ordinary 26
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Read the Bible

King James Version

1 Thessalonians 4:12

That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Commandments;   Evil;   Honesty;   Industry;   Jesus Continued;   Labor;   Thompson Chain Reference - Consistent Life;   Life;   Living Consistently;   The Topic Concordance - Labor;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Conduct, Christian;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Thessalonians, Epistle to the 1 and 2;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Thessalonians, First and Second, Theology of;   Walk;   Work;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Paul;   Thessalonians, the Epistles to the;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Honesty;   Respect of Persons;   1 Thessalonians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Thessalonians, First Epistle to the;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Business;   Honest;   Hope ;   Thessalonians Epistles to the;   Worldliness;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Become;   Disorderly;   Honest;   Thessalonians, the First Epistle of Paul to the;   Thessalonians, the Second Epistle of Paul to the;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.
Legacy Standard Bible
so that you will walk properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.
Simplified Cowboy Version
This kind of life will win the respect of those we are trying to reach. Ride into a herd this way and they'll stand quiet instead of throwing their tails up and heading for the brush. When you become this caliber of cowboy, you won't have to worry what others think.
Bible in Basic English
That you may be respected by those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.
Darby Translation
that ye may walk reputably towards those without, and may have need of no one.
Christian Standard Bible®
so that you may walk properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.
World English Bible
that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
That ye may walk decently toward them that are without, and may want nothing.
Weymouth's New Testament
so as to live worthy lives in relation to outsiders, and not be a burden to any one.
King James Version (1611)
That ye may walke honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may haue lacke of nothing.
Literal Translation
that you may walk becomingly toward those outside, and that you may have need of nothing.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
that ye maye walke honestly towarde the that are without, and that nothinge be lackynge vnto you.
Mace New Testament (1729)
so that your way of life may stand fair to the world, and prevent your being dependent upon any man.
Amplified Bible
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].
American Standard Version
that ye may walk becomingly toward them that are without, and may have need of nothing.
Revised Standard Version
so that you may command the respect of outsiders, and be dependent on nobody.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
that ye maye behave youre selves honestly towarde them that are with out and that nothinge be lackynge vnto you.
Update Bible Version
that you may walk becomingly toward those that are outside, and may have need of nothing.
Webster's Bible Translation
That ye may walk honestly towards them that are without, and [that] ye may have need of nothing.
Young's Literal Translation
that ye may walk becomingly unto those without, and may have lack of nothing.
New Century Version
If you do, then people who are not believers will respect you, and you will not have to depend on others for what you need.
New English Translation
In this way you will live a decent life before outsiders and not be in need.
Berean Standard Bible
Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.
Contemporary English Version
Then you will be respected by people who are not followers of the Lord, and you won't have to depend on anyone.
Complete Jewish Bible
Then your daily life will gain the respect of outsiders, and you will not be dependent on anyone.
English Standard Version
so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
Geneva Bible (1587)
That yee may behaue your selues honestly towarde them that are without, and that nothing be lacking vnto you.
George Lamsa Translation
That you may lead a life of good example toward outsiders, so that you depend on no man.
Hebrew Names Version
that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.
International Standard Version
so that you may win the respect of outsiders, and have need of nothing.Romans 13:13; 2 Corinthians 8:21; Colossians 4:5; 1 Peter 2:12;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
that you may walk becomingly towards the outward-ones, and of man you may not need.
Murdock Translation
and that ye walk becomingly towards those without; and that ye be dependent on no man.
New King James Version
that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
New Living Translation
Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
New Life Bible
By doing this, you will be respected by those who are not Christians. Then you will not be in need and others will not have to help you.
English Revised Version
that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and may have need of nothing.
New Revised Standard
so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and be dependent on no one.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
That ye should walk reputably toward those without, and, of no one, have, need.
Douay-Rheims Bible
(4-11) and that you walk honestly towards them that are without: and that you want nothing of any man’s.
Lexham English Bible
so that you may live decently toward those outside, and may have need of nothing.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
That ye may walke honestly toward them that are without, & that nothyng be lackyng in you.
Easy-to-Read Version
If you do these things, then those who are not believers will respect the way you live. And you will not have to depend on others for what you need.
New American Standard Bible
so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.
Good News Translation
In this way you will win the respect of those who are not believers, and you will not have to depend on anyone for what you need.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and that ye wandre onestli to hem that ben with outforth, and that of no mannus ye desir ony thing.

Contextual Overview

9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; 11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

ye may walk: 1 Thessalonians 5:22, Romans 12:17, Romans 13:13, 2 Corinthians 8:20, 2 Corinthians 8:21, Philippians 4:8, Titus 2:8-10, 1 Peter 2:12, 1 Peter 3:16, 1 Peter 3:17

them: Mark 4:11, 1 Corinthians 5:12, 1 Corinthians 5:13, Colossians 4:5, 1 Timothy 3:7, 1 Peter 3:1

nothing: or, no man, 2 Corinthians 11:7-9

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:7 - Canaanite Judges 19:16 - his work Ruth 2:3 - gleaned 2 Kings 4:7 - pay Proverbs 12:11 - tilleth Proverbs 16:26 - laboureth Proverbs 21:5 - thoughts Isaiah 19:15 - General Acts 4:34 - was Romans 12:11 - slothful 1 Corinthians 7:33 - careth 1 Corinthians 16:10 - without Ephesians 4:28 - labour 1 Thessalonians 2:12 - walk 1 Thessalonians 4:1 - ye have Hebrews 13:18 - in all 3 John 1:12 - good

Cross-References

Genesis 4:3
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord .
Genesis 4:4
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
Genesis 4:14
Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
Genesis 4:17
And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.
Genesis 4:18
And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
Genesis 4:23
And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
Genesis 4:24
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
Leviticus 26:20
And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.
Leviticus 26:36
And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.
Psalms 109:10
Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

That ye may walk honestly,.... Decently, in good credit and reputation, providing things honest in the sight of all men, for themselves and families, and honestly paying every man his own; on which account it became them to mind their own business, and work at their trades; otherwise their walk and conversation would be scandalous, and not honest and honourable:

toward them that are without: the men of the world, who were without the church; see 1 Corinthians 5:12 profane sinners, unconverted Gentiles, that were without Christ and hope, and God in the world, and were aliens and strangers; and yet care should be taken that no occasion be given to such to reproach the name of God, the ways of Christ, and the doctrines of the Gospel:

and that ye may have lack of nothing; but have wherewith to supply the necessaries of life, and give to them also that stand in need, which is more blessed and honourable than to receive; or might not need any such instruction and exhortation, or any reproof for sloth and idleness; or not stand in need of "any man", as the Syriac version renders it; of the help and assistance of any, of any of those that are without, which would be dishonourable; or of them that are within, of the church, which might be burdensome. The Vulgate Latin version renders it, "that ye may not desire anything of anyone"; as the slothful man covets greedily all the day long what is another's, and this desire kills him, Proverbs 21:25 he covets an evil covetousness, and craves in a scandalous way the bread of others; when it would be more honourable for him to work with quietness, and eat his own bread got by honest labour, and not be beholden to another.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

That 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 honest with them; to be faithful to their engagements; to be kind and courteous in their conversation; to show respect where it was due, and to endeavor in every way to do them good. There are few precepts of religion more important than those which enjoin upon Christians the duty of a proper treatment of those who are not connected with the church.

And that ye may have lack of nothing - Margin, no man. The Greek will bear either construction, but the translation in the text is probably the correct one. The phrase is to be taken in connection not merely with that which immediately precedes it - as if “their walking honestly toward those who were without” would preserve them from want - but as meaning that their industrious and quiet habits; their patient attention to their own business, and upright dealing with every man, would do it. They would, in this way, have a competence, and would not be beholden to others. Learn hence, that it is the duty of a Christian so to live as not to be dependent on others, unless he is made so by events of divine Providence which he cannot foresee or control. No man should be dependent on others as the result of idle habits; of extravagance and improvidence; of the neglect of his own business, and of intermeddling with that of others. If by age, losses, infirmities, sickness, he is made dependent, he cannot be blamed, and he should not repine at his lot. One of the ways in which a Christian may always do good in society, and honor his religion, is by quiet and patient industry, and by showing that religion prompts to those habits of economy on which the happiness of society so much depends.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 12. That ye may walk honestly — ευσχημονως. 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 labour, which God will ever bless; and be chargeable to no man. He that is dependent on another is necessarily in bondage; and he who is able to get his own bread by the sweat of his brow, should not be under obligation even to a king.

I do not recollect whether, in any other part of this work, I have given the following story from the Hatem Tai Nameh. Hatem Tai was an Arabian nobleman, who flourished some time before the Mahommedan era; he was reputed the most generous and liberal man in all the east. One day he slew one hundred camels, and made a feast, to which all the Arabian lords and all the peasantry in the district were invited. About the time of the feast he took a walk towards a neighbouring wood, to see if he could find any person whom he might invite to partake of the entertainment which he had then provided. Walking along the skirt of the wood, he espied an old man coming out of it, laden with a burden of faggots; he accosted him and asked if he had not heard of the entertainment made that day by Hatem Tai. The old man answered in the affirmative. He asked him why he did not attend and partake with the rest. The old man answered: "He that is able to gain his bread even by collecting faggots in the wood, should not be beholden even to Hatem Tai." This is a noble saying, and has long been a rule of conduct to the writer of this note.


 
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