1 Thessalonians 4:11

It is supposed by some, that the charity and bounty of these Thessalonians, mentioned in the foregoing verses, occasioned some persons to be idle and carry tales from house to house, seeking by such flatteries and insinuations to maintain themselves without working; the apostle therefore commands every man to work at some calling, that they neither be. burden to the church, nor give. scandal to the heathen.

Study to be quiet, that is, to be of. peaceable spirit and temper; and the original word imports an ambitious study; it ought to be our ambitious desire to live quietly and peaceably with all men; and to live so with some men will require study, and earnest endeavour:

If it be possible, live peaceably with all men, says St. Paul, Romans 12:18. Implying, that there are some men that it is impossible to live peaceably with; and whereas he adds, doing our own business, and working with our own hands; that apostolical injunction requires, that every person be well employed, and found in the way of an honest and industrious diligence, for no man is sent into the world to be idle; and as it is every man's duty, so it is also his privilege, to have. calling: the want of which exposes to innumerable temptations, for the devil finds an idle person always ready to run of his errand.