Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.
Parallel translations
- WEB that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.
- KJV That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
- NKJV that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
- NASB so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.
- NLT Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Such conduct earns respect from outsiders and keeps believers from dependence. Christian integrity commends the faith and avoids being a burden.
Overview
The quiet, hardworking life of v. 11 has two aims: a good testimony before "those who are outside" and freedom from needless dependence. How believers live affects the reputation of the gospel among non-Christians. Honest labor adorns the faith and supports the witness of the church.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Col 4:5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
- Rom 12:17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
- 1 Pet 2:12Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
- 1 Tim 3:7Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
- Rom 13:13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
- 1 Pet 3:16–17keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
- Mark 4:11He replied, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables,
- 1 Th 5:22Abstain from every form of evil.
- Titus 2:8–10and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.
- Phil 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
- 2 Cor 11:7–9Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?
- 2 Cor 8:20–21We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.
- 1 Pet 3:1Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives
- 1 Cor 5:12–13What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
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Christ at the center
The believer waits for God's Son from heaven, Jesus who delivers from the wrath to come and who will return to gather his people to himself.
How 1 Thessalonians 4:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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