that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.
Parallel translations
- KJV That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack 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 those who are outside, redeeming the time.
- Rom 12:17Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.
- 1 Pet 2:12having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.
- 1 Tim 3:7Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.
- Rom 13:13Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.
- 1 Pet 3:16–17having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ.
- Mark 4:11He said to them, “To you is given the mystery of God’s Kingdom, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables,
- 1 Th 5:22Abstain from every form of evil.
- Titus 2:8–10and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.
- Phil 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.
- 2 Cor 11:7–9Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God’s Good News free of charge?
- 2 Cor 8:20–21We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.
- 1 Pet 3:1In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word;
- 1 Cor 5:12–13For what do I have to do with also judging those who are outside? Don’t you judge those who are within?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.