1 Thessalonians 4:12

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

1 Thessalonians 4:12, King James Version

1 Thessalonians 4:12 in other translations

BSB	Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.
WEB	that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.
ASV	that ye may walk becomingly toward them that are without, and may have need of nothing.
YLT	that ye may walk becomingly unto those without, and may have lack of nothing.
DARBY	that ye may walk reputably towards those without, and may have need of no one.
BBE	That you may be respected by those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.
Webster	That ye may walk honestly towards them that are without, and that ye may have need of nothing.

What does 1 Thessalonians 4:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

12. 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 supplying the need of others. Freedom from pecuniary embarrassment is to be desired by the Christian on account of the liberty which it bestows.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 12. That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without. Out of the church. Comp. Col 4:5. The word rendered honestly, means becomingly, decorously, in a proper manner. Rom 13:13, 1Cor 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 towards 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 intercourse; to show respect where it was due; and to endeavour, 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. Marg., 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 towards 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 be 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 honour 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.

(*) "honestly" "in a becoming manner" (a) "honestly" Rom 13:13 (1) "lack of nothing" "no man"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

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 Col 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 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 neighboring 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 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…

Read the full comment on 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 →

1 Thessalonians 4:12 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἵναinaso thatG2443

περιπατῆτεperipatēteyou may walkG4043

εὐσχημόνωςeuschēmonōsproperlyG2156

πρὸςprostowardG4314

τοὺςtousthoseG3588

ἔξωexōoutsideG1854

καὶkaiandG2532

μηδενὸςmēdenosof no oneG3367

χρείανchreianneedG5532

ἔχητε.¶echētemay have.G2192

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 4:12

Colossians 4:5
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Romans 12:17
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
1 Peter 2:12
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Timothy 3:7
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Romans 13:13
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
1 Peter 3:16-17
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Mark 4:11
And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Titus 2:8-10
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
2 Corinthians 11:7-9
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
1 Peter 3:1
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

ye may walk.
5:22; Ro 12:17; 13:13; 2Co 8:20,21; Php 4:8; Tit 2:8-10; 1Pe 2:12
1Pe 3:16,17
them.
Mr 4:11; 1Co 5:12,13; Col 4:5; 1Ti 3:7; 1Pe 3:1
nothing. or, no man.
2Co 11:7-9

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

1 Thessalonians 4:11
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
1 Thessalonians 4:12
That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
1 Thessalonians 4:13
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thessalonians 4:12 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	A fin de que andéis honestamente para con los extraños, y no necesitéis de nada.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	afin que vous marchiez honorablement envers ceux de dehors et que vous n’ayez besoin de personne.
German Elberfelder 1871	auf daß ihr ehrbarlich wandelt gegen die, welche draußen sind, und niemandes bedürfet.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	et ut honeste ambuletis ad eos qui foris sunt: et nullius aliquid desideretis.