1 Thessalonians 4:12

that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without Honestlyis rather honourably, honestè(Vulgate) in decent, comely fashion, in such manner as to "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour" (Titus 2:10), and to win for Christian faith respect even from those who did not embrace it. in 1 Timothy 3:7 this is laid down as a condition specially important hi the case of men appointed to office in the Church, that they should "have a good testimony from them that are without."

Those without"outsiders," as we say is an established phrase, used by contrast with "those within" the fold of Christ, or the walls of the city of God; see 1 Corinthians 5:12-13; Colossians 4:5, "Walk in wisdom toward those outside;" also Mark 4:11. In a thriving commercial town like Thessalonica, indolence or unfitness for the common work of life would bring great discredit on the new society.

andthat ye may have lack ofnothing] Better, need of nothing (R. V.), or of no one (no man, A.V. margin). As much as to say: "That every one, inside or outside the Church, may respect you, and you may be no man's dependents."

The sense of honourable independence was strong in St Paul (see ch. 1 Thessalonians 2:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:9, and again 2 Thessalonians 3:8): he desires to see it in all his people. The Church was already in danger of having its charities abused by the indolent, so as to foster a spirit of pauperism. In Ephesians 4:28 the Apostle enlists on the side of diligent secular work the spirit of charity, in addition to that of self-respect "that he may have to give to him that needeth;" comp. Acts 20:34-35, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." And in 1 Timothy 5:8 he includes under the necessities to be met by honest labour those of the man's household, condemning the neglecter of these claims as "denying the faith" and "worse than an unbeliever."