Paul is graphic and direct in his teaching in 1st Thessalonians 4. In our study of verses 1-8 we have seen what our responsibility to God is in the areas of our behavior: sexually, socially and spiritually. In verses 11-12 he focuses on our behavior vocationally: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
Notice he begins by continuing to discuss our relationship with others socially. Our ambition or what we strive for should be to lead a quiet life. Don’t try to be noticed by making a big impression through what you do. That way you become the focus. When that happens what Christ is doing might be obscured.
“Mind your own business.” Evidently some of the Christians were meddlesome. It’s easier to focus on what you think others should be doing than concerning yourself about what you should be doing. Instead of being busybodies, we should be involved in selfless industry: “To work with your hands.”
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary says, “Greeks shunned manual labor, and Paul had taught the Thessalonians by word (the Lord was a carpenter) and by example (the apostle was a tent-maker) that the Christian doctrine of creation implies the Christian doctrine of vocation: God made everything good; therefore, man can perform the most menial tasks knowing he is in touch with the Creator’s handiwork; further, he can do them to God’s glory.”
