That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
Parallel translations
- WEB that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.
- BSB Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.
- 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 4:5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
- Rom 12:17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
- 1 Pet 2:12Having 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 Tim 3:7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
- Rom 13:13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
- 1 Pet 3:16–17Having 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.
- Mark 4:11And 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 Th 5:22Abstain from all appearance of evil.
- Titus 2:8–10Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
- Phil 4:8Finally, 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.
- 2 Cor 11:7–9Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
- 2 Cor 8:20–21Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
- 1 Pet 3:1Likewise, 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;
- 1 Cor 5:12–13For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
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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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