July 27, 2025
With all the noise and chatter going on in the world today, a fresh reminder to study to be quiet seems rather refreshing. The text in the KJV brings the admonition to “study to be quiet,” whereas the ESV says to “aspire to live quietly.” Either consideration is a call for quietness.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 (KJV) — 11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
1 Thessalonians 4:11 (ESV) — 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,
Either way you look at the instruction, it’s a far cry from the norm so it’s going to require some study and work as you aspire to live a quiet life. The admonition is to seek a life that does not bring attention to yourself. Considering the popularity of social media where people put up posts that call attention to everything they are doing, including things the public would be better off not knowing, the call to seek after quietness is going to require much discipline and grace that only God can provide. How then can we apply this admonition? It would be best to consider the context and a look at the paragraph from which it is taken.
1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 (ESV) — 9 Now 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, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
The Thessalonian church was quite an example of people that were truly changed by the Gospel that came to them in power and conviction. As a result, they became true followers imitating those who brought them the Gospel so much so that the word sounded out about them seemingly everywhere. The report that sounded out was that they had turned from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for His Son, Jesus, who delivers from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 1:4–10 (ESV) — 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Evidently, the church, as they followed the example of those who brought them the Gospel, displayed brotherly love so the apostle commended them as he told them to do this more and more. He then continued….
1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 (ESV) — 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
The context makes the admonition to aspire to live quietly more sensible. Of course, if you are abounding in brotherly love, you are not tooting your own horn or drawing attention to yourself; rather, you are content to just do your business which is exactly what the paragraph continues in saying, “to mind your own affairs.” Further he adds to work with your hands as he instructed them. Why? There’s something about working with your hands that keeps you busy so you are not in a place to stir up strife. Putting it together of aspiring to live quietly, minding your own affairs, and working with your hands, this was the way the model church would continue to be in the place of service that God intended.
The final reason given for these admonitions is “so you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” Paul was looking out for the church that obviously had a generous vein running through it as well as a true desire to be right in doctrine and the practical side of the Gospel. Therefore, he didn’t want it ruined through vain glory, and from meddling in one another’s business.
When you see this admonition to study to be quiet, or aspire to live quietly, what do you think of or how would that look today? Could you survive without posting on social media? Would it be hard for you to get involved in serving others if there was no recognition? One of the important features of seeking after quietness, is seeking those quiet times with the Lord Himself as you read His word and pray. Jesus is our great example.
Mark 1:35 (ESV) — 35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
The early morning hours are normally very quiet hours and a great time to set apart to spend time with God. In fact, as the admonition is to “study to be quiet,” or “aspire to live quietly” we know it takes a decision to make this a part of your life. Discipline is part of discipleship and Jesus said that discipline is a mark of discipleship.
Luke 9:23 (ESV) — 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Can you imagine a disciple who is not disciplined enough to spend time with the One of whom he claims to be a disciple? Study to be quiet. Make it a priority and enjoy the benefits.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
