12 that ye may walk becomingly unto those without, and may have lack of nothing.
and he said to them, `To you it hath been given to know the secret of the reign of God, but to those who are without, in similes are all the things done;
in wisdom walk ye toward those without, the time forestalling;
giving back to no one evil for evil; providing right things before all men.
and it behoveth him also to have a good testimony from those without, that he may not fall into reproach and a snare of the devil.
for what have I also those without to judge? those within do ye not judge? and those without God doth judge; and put ye away the evil from among yourselves.
avoiding this, lest any one may blame us in this abundance that is ministered by us, providing right things, not only before the Lord, but also before men;
The sin did I do -- myself humbling that ye might be exalted, because freely the good news of God I did proclaim to you? other assemblies I did rob, having taken wages, for your ministration; and being present with you, and having been in want, I was chargeable to no one, for my lack did the brethren supply -- having come from Macedonia -- and in everything burdenless to you I did keep myself, and will keep.
As to the rest, brethren, as many things as are true, as many as `are' grave, as many as `are' righteous, as many as `are' pure, as many as `are' lovely, as many as `are' of good report, if any worthiness, and if any praise, these things think upon;
discourse sound, irreprehensible, that he who is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say concerning you. Servants -- to their own masters `are' to be subject, in all things to be well-pleasing, not gainsaying, not purloining, but showing all good stedfastness, that the teaching of God our Saviour they may adorn in all things.
In like manner, the wives, be ye subject to your own husbands, that even if certain are disobedient to the word, through the conversation of the wives, without the word, they may be won,
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4
Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 4
In this chapter the apostle gives earnest exhortations to abound in holiness, with a caution against uncleanness, enforced with several arguments (v. 1-8). He then mentions the great duties of brotherly love, and quietness with industry in our callings (v. 9-12). And concludes with comforting those who mourned for their relations and friends that died in the Lord (v. 13-18).
1Th 4:1-8
Here we have,
1Th 4:9-12
In these words the apostle mentions the great duties,
1Th 4:13-18
In these words the apostle comforts the Thessalonians who mourned for the death of their relations and friends that died in the Lord. His design is to dissuade them from excessive grief, or inordinate sorrow, on that account. All grief for the death of friends is far from being unlawful; we may weep at least for ourselves if we do not weep for them, weep for own loss, though it may be their fain. Yet we must not be immoderate in our sorrows, because,