1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

𝓑𝓲𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓢𝓽𝓾𝓭𝔂 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓶𝓮!  The first thing I do every morning is check the Bible VOTD on 2 different apps. My relationship with God is so close that I can often tell which verses have incorrectly translated meanings, even down to questioning a single word. After reading today’s verse and feeling some kind of way about the word “goal,” I realized that the app was set on the NLT, not the KJV. I changed that, then went to google to compare multiple translations, as well as added the next verse.. and once again, only the KJV makes sense…

 NLT: “Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.” —1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NLT

 NIV: “And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and 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.” —1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV

 KJV: “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” —1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 KJV

There are two main points here, but let’s look at some definitions first…

•Goal— the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.

•Ambition— a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.

•Study— the devotion of time and attention to acquiring knowledge on an academic subject, especially by means of books. A detailed investigation and analysis of a subject or situation.

𝓟𝓸𝓲𝓷𝓽 𝓞𝓷𝓮: The verse meaning is not about aiming to BE quiet. When we are truly studying the Word of God, growing in our wisdom and strengthening our minds, we are too busy to engage in useless chatter or human affairs. The “quiet Christian life” is not a goal, rather a result of being constantly connected to the Holy Spirit, studying scripture, and being busy working for the Lord. The KJV inspires us to focus on personal development; building and refining our talents.

Yes, this lifestyle will naturally isolate us at times, and yes, scripture says for us to be “quick to listen, and slow to speak,” but all of this studying isn’t meant to separate us, rather to unite us through spreading the Gospel. But only the KJV expresses that togetherness…

𝓟𝓸𝓲𝓷𝓽 𝓣𝔀𝓸: The NLT and NIV say that people will respect you, and you will not need to depend on others… and to win the respect of people, so that you will not need to be dependent on others. This is insinuating isolation and separation from people (nonbelievers), and even has a slight twinge of entitlement or ego to it… while the KJV translation is saying that the richness we gain from the wisdom of our self-studies will give us confidence to “walk honestly toward” those who are “without” God’s wisdom from their lack of studying, and we will lack nothing to offer them. Our fullness of God’s word is what produces no lack, and we should bring this fullness to others who need it!

Also, the first 2 translations call these “others” nonbelievers and outsiders, whereas the KJV doesn’t mention any specific group because we are ALL learning and growing in Christ every single day—even those who are already believers. The wisest students will eventually become teachers, but ideally, all of us can be teachers if we are properly studying God’s word.

I hope you enjoyed this Bible study with me! Look for more translation comparisons in the future.

With Love, Michelle