1 Thessalonians 4:9–12: Interpretation, Application, and Prayer

In this article, I will first interpret 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12, including discerning the main point and providing an outline of the passage. Then I will show how the passage can be applied to modern Christians, while concluding with a prayer that is based on the passage.

1 Thessalonians 4:9–12

“⁹Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, ¹⁰for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, ¹¹and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, ¹²so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”

1 Thessalonians 4:9–12

Interpretation of 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12

1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 continues the topic of the previous passage (4:1–8), which is living a life that pleases God.  There is nothing grammatical that clues us into this conclusion; rather, it is the content and terminology of verses 9–12.  In verses 9–12 the apostles continue to tell the Thessalonians how to live their lives, which links it to the previous passage.  Further, there is shared language between the two passages, such as 

• “we urge you” (4:1, 10)
• “to walk” when it is used as “to live” (4:1, 12)
• “do so more and more” (4:1, 10). Although the ESV translates “do so more and more” slightly differently in verses 1 & 10, the Greek text uses the exact same words, as reflected in the CSB, NASB, NET, and NRSV. 
• “commands/instructions” when used of the apostles reminding the Thessalonians of what they commanded them (4:2, 11)

Topic and Main Point

Based on the relationship between 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 and the previous passage (4:1–8), the topic of 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 is the same as 4:1–8: living a life that pleases God.  

One would be forgiven for suggesting the topic was something like brotherly love since that theme dominates verses 9–10.  However, brotherly love does not account for the contents of verses 11–12.  Further, the command to continue in brotherly love is only one command amongst many.  As such, the topic of brotherly love is too narrow.  

There are two ways to state the main point of 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12, one is more specific and one is more general.  

• Specific: continue loving your brothers in Christ, live a quiet life, mind your own affairs, and work with your own hands (v 10b–11). 
• General: walk properly toward insiders (i.e., Christian siblings) and outsiders (i.e., non-Christians).  The specific actions mentioned in verses 10b–11 tell the Christian how to walk properly toward insiders and outsiders. 

The main point is discerned by identifying the commands, which are found in verses 10–11.  Commands are frequently the main point of a passage.  The rest of the passage usually explains or expands upon the command or commands, which is what we see in verses 9–12.  Thus, to discern the main point of verses 9–12, one simply needs to either list the commands or summarize them in a sentence as is done above. 

1 Thessalonians 4:9–12

1 Thessalonians 4:9–10a

In 1 Thessalonians 4:9–10, the apostles shift topics from living a sexually pure life (4:1–8) to other ways of living one’s life that pleases God. The new topic is brotherly love, as evidenced from the very first clause, which states, “concerning brotherly love” (or something similar) (v 9a). 

There are two reasons that the apostles do not need to write to the Thessalonians about brotherly love are:

1. They are taught by God to love one another (i.e., God is their teacher) (v 9c).  The “for” in the clause “for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another” is causal, indicating the reason that the apostles do not need to write to the Thessalonians about brotherly love. 
   What is meant by being taught by God to love one another is not stated in the text.  However, there are two likely possibilities: 
   
   a. God has given the Thessalonians special revelation not mentioned in the text. 
   
   b. God teaches the Thessalonians through his example.  Since God has loved the Thessalonians by sacrificing his son Jesus for their benefit and loved them in other ways, the Thessalonians know how to love their Christian siblings.  They imitate God by sacrificing for the benefit of their Christian siblings and taking care of their needs.  This idea is found in 1 John 4:19–21 and I think is the more likely meaning of being taught by God to love another. 
   
2. They are already loving the brothers throughout Macedonia (v 10a).  The “for” in the clause “for that indeed is what you are doing . . .” is also causal, indicating reason.  

A note needs to be said about the term “brothers.”  First, in 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 and frequently throughout the New Testament (although not always), the term “brothers” refers to all Christians, not just male Christians.  I like the term Christian siblings.  Second, the term “brothers” is familial language and refers to those who are part of the same group, what we may call “insiders.”  Thus, those who are not “brothers” are not part of the same group and are, thus, called “outsiders,” which is how the apostles refer to non-Christians in 1 Thessalonians 4:12. 

1 Thessalonians 4:10b–12

In light of the apostles not needing to write to the Thessalonians about brotherly love, they command four things from the Thessalonians so that they will continue living a life that pleases God:

1. The Thessalonians must continue loving their “brothers” throughout Macedonia “more and more” (v 10b).  Because they are already loving their Christian siblings, the apostles simply urge them to continue doing so more and more.  The apostles do not give specifics on how to love the brethren because they do not need to on account of the fact the Thessalonians are already doing it. 
   
2. The Thessalonians must “aspire to live quietly” (v 11a).  What is meant by living quietly is living in such a way that does not disturb the peace.  BDAG (s.v. “ἡσυχάζω”) states, “Christian leaders endeavored to keep their members free of anything that might be construed as disturbance of public order.”  Christianity had become a public affair in Thessalonica as noted in Acts 17:1–9.  Thus, the apostles did not want the Thessalonian Christians doing anything that would disturb the peace.
    
3. The Thessalonians must “mind their own affairs” (v 11b).  This command is related to the previous one, but is not exactly the same.  The Thessalonians should not dabble in that which does not concern them.  Essentially, they are not to be busy bodies, put their nose where it does not belong, or be meddlesome.  This clearly does not refer to spreading the gospel.  
   
4. The Thessalonians must work with their own hands (v 11c).  There are a number of possible interpretations of what the apostles mean here.  The most likely is that the Thessalonians do not rely on the generosity of others when they are able to work; rather, they themselves should work.  This interpretation aligns well with the apostles’ later command to admonish the idle (1 Thess 5:14), an issue that the apostles also address in 2 Thessalonians 3:6–12.  Further, in light of the apostles’ earlier command toward brotherly love, it could have been possible that some Christians were relying on the generosity of wealthier Christians instead of doing their own work (i.e., working with their own hands) and supporting themselves. 

That the above four points are commands is clear from the language the apostles use in verse 10b: “we urge you, brothers.”  Although “we urge/beseech” is not in the imperative mood, the language is that of command.  Each of the four points are complementary infinitives to the main verb “urge.”  Further, the clause “as we commanded you” at the end of verse 11 confirms that the apostles are issuing commands.  

Following the four commands are two purpose statements that give the purpose for the commands. 

• “so that you may walk properly before outsiders” (v 12a).  The phrase “so that” indicates purpose.  The term “outsiders” refers to non-Christians.  
• “and be dependent on no one” (v 12b).  The conjunction “and” adds a second purpose statement.  One could add “so that” or “that’ to the clause for added clarity as the KJV and NIV do: “and that ye may have lack of nothing” (KJV); “and so that you will not be dependent on anybody” (NIV). 

The apostles issue the four commands to love their Christian siblings, live quietly, mind their own affairs, and work with their own hands for the purpose of walking properly (i.e., living decently or becomingly) in the presence of non-Christians and for the purpose of being dependent on no one/nothing. 

A difficulty arises in 1 Thessalonians 4:12b as to whether or not the Thessalonians are to be dependent on (or “in need of”) no one or nothing.  The major English versions are split regarding the two possibilities.  Note the following: 

• In need of no one/anyone
  • “not be dependent on anyone” (CSB)
  • “be dependent on no one” (ESV)
  • “so that you will not be dependent on anybody” (NIV)
  • “be dependent on no one” (NRSV)
• In need of nothing
  • “that ye may have lack of nothing” (KJV)
  • “not be in any need” (NASB)
  • “not be in need” (NET)

The issue surrounds the Greek adjective μηδείς, which can mean “nothing” or “no one.”  Generally, the form of the adjective and the context surrounding it make it clear whether μηδείς refers to no one or nothing.  Unfortunately, both form and context are unhelpful in 1 Thessalonians 4:12.  The form of the adjective as presented in 1 Thessalonians 4:12 is μηδενός, which is the form for both the masculine and neuter grammatical gender making either translation a legitimate possibility.  Further, the context in which the adjective is found (4:9–12) is of little help in determining the grammatical gender of the adjective and, thus, the correct translation as evidenced by the disagreement on how to translate it in the major English versions of the Bible.  

The difference between the two translation possibilities is not great.  It is quite likely that 1 Thessalonians 4:12b is related to the fourth command, “work with your own hands” (v 11c).  As such, it is likely that the apostles command the Thessalonians to work with their own hands so that they are providing for their own needs.  By providing for their own needs, the Thessalonians will not be in need of anything (referring to necessities, not wants and desires) and, thus, they will not be dependent on others for their needs.  We must remember that the topic is needs, not wants.  By working with their own hands and providing for their own needs, the Thessalonians will have everything they need, such as shelter, food, and clothing, and be dependent on no one (insiders or outsiders) for these things.  Thus, both translations fit the context well and mean much the same thing. 

Summary of 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy command the Thessalonians to continue loving their Christian siblings, live quietly, mind their own affairs, and work with their own hands for the purpose of walking properly in the presence of non-Christians and for the purpose of being dependent on no one.  Obeying these commands will also enable the Thessalonian Christians to live a life that pleases God. 

Another helpful way of summarizing a passage is by producing an outline.  An outline can help you remember the main points and the argument of a passage at a glance and is a useful tool for teaching a passage. 

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy command the Thessalonians to 

            A. Continue loving their Christian siblings/continue in brotherly love (v 9–10)

                        1. God has taught them how to love one another (v 9)

                        2. The Thessalonians are currently loving all the Christians in Macedonia (v 10a)

            B. Aspire to live quietly (v 11a)

            C. Mind their own affairs (v 11b)

            D. Work with their own hands (v 11c)

                        1. So that the Thessalonians will walk properly before outsiders (v 12a)

                        2. So that the Thessalonians will be dependent on no one/nothing (v 12b)

Application of 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 to Modern Christians

Just like the previous passage (1 Thess 4:1–8), the commands that the apostles issue in 4:9–12 can be directly applied to the modern Christian because both the Thessalonian Christians and modern Christians are (1) disciples of Jesus, (2) under the New Covenant, (3) members of the Church, and (4) members of the kingdom of God.  Further, there is nothing in the text that limits the commands to the ancient Mediterranean world, the Greco-Roman culture, or the first-century Jewish culture (i.e., there is nothing in the text that leads the reader to conclude the commands are culturally bound).  For more information about how to apply Scripture, see my article HERE.

Based on the above, modern Christians should 

• Love their Christian siblings.  1 Thessalonians does not go into detail on how to love our Christian siblings because the Thessalonians were already doing it well.  However, the apostles do state that the Thessalonians were taught by God how to love.  If the above interpretation is correct in that God teaches how to love through his example, then we Christians today need to also look to God’s example and imitate him.  
  We should also read the sections of Scripture that tell God’s people how to love.  The best place to start is with Paul’s own writings.  Passages such as 1 Corinthians 13 and Philippians 2:1–11 are helpful.  After Paul’s writings, move onto other New Testament letters and books, such as James and 1 John.  Then move into the Old Testament.  
  Finally, in the West we frequently do not know how to love our Christian siblings because we do not know our Christian siblings well enough to love them in practical ways.  As such, we should seek out the needs of our fellow Christians and attempt to meet those needs in practical ways.  
  
• Aspire to live quietly so as to not disturb the peace.  Over the past few years there have been many riots in the West that have included shutting down major highways and thoroughfares, looting, burning of vehicles, burning of businesses, and attacks on individuals.  Christians should not enjoin themselves to these riots (frequently called “protests”), regardless of the merit behind the cause.
    
• Mind their own affairs by not being busy bodies, not putting their noses where it does not belong, and not being meddlesome.  Christians should always stand up for the truth, for the downtrodden, and for the oppressed.  However, we should not meddle where we are not wanted.  A positive way to put this would be to focus on what the Lord has called us to do, such as spread the gospel, help the poor and oppressed, work with our own hands, etc. 
  
• Work with their own hands.  Modern Christians should provide for their own needs and not rely on others for handouts, such as fellow Christians, the church, or governments.  The apostles are clearly referring to those who are able to work, but are not for whatever reason.  Elsewhere, Paul tells Timothy not to burden the church by enrolling widows whose family can take care of them (1 Tim 5:16).  Thus, any able-bodied person must work so as to not burden the church and not be reliant on others.  In short, get a job, pay your own bills, and provide for your family.  

Prayer Based on 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12

To pray 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12, we need to ask the Lord to enable us to obey the four commands issued within this passage for the purpose of living rightly before Christians and non-Christians and so that we provide for our own needs and not mooch off others.

Dear God, my desire is to walk properly toward both my fellow Christians and those who are not Christians.  I also desire to provide for my own needs and not rely on others when it isn’t necessary.  To these ends, please help me love my fellow Christians in both word and deed.  Please help me live a quiet and respectable life, and not be meddlesome.  Finally, please provide work for me to do and to do that work to the best of my ability.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.