1 Thess. 4:11-12; 2 Thess. 3:6-15, Good Reputation

As we come to this passage it helps to keep two things in mind.

·        Our role as God’s witness to the world (Mt 28:19f; Ac 1:8; 1 Pt 3:15; 2 Co 5:18).

·        The value of a good reputation (Prov. 22:1; 1 Tim. 3:7; 1 Pt. 2:15).

When we say it helps to keep these things in mind, we mean both ideas joined together in our minds.  We may feel we are not good testimonies if we don’t call attention to people’s excessive use of alcohol or the poor way they raise their kids or keep their lawn.  There may be a time for this but it certainly needs to be on the basis of 1 Pt. 3:15, be ready to give an answer.  People need to invite our input.


Having said that many would say that their unsaved neighbors have never asked them questions like that.  There could be many reasons for that, but the one at the top is that we may not have a good reputation with them.  That is where this passage fits.

v The nature of our life before the world.

o   Be quiet.  This is God’s goal!  We are to ray for our political leaders so that we can live this kind of life (1 Tim. 2:2).  It is not that we never greet our neighbor but that we are not contentious or obnoxious.  It also means we don’t make the conversations all about us and our exploits.  We are good listeners.

o   Mind your own business.  Literally, attend to your own affairs.  Don’t fail to cover the normal, basic needs of life and family.  This is against busybodies (2 Th. 3:11-12; 1 Tim. 5:11-13).

o   Work with your hands.  This is against laziness.  In Greek culture manual labor was saved for the slaves to the others could have an easy life.  In Christ hard work is done for the glory of the Lord (Col. 3:17) so we have something to give to others (Eph. 4:28).

v The value of our life before the world.

o   It is an honorable life.  The word properly is literally means to love honor.  We are to be ambitions about being honorable. 

o   It is an obedient life.  Paul commanded this; it is not a suggestion.  Thus this life is submissive to the Lord.

o   It is a decent life.  In one sense we can say it is the opposite of v3-8 (sexual immorality).  And note: it is not simply the acceptable life; it is the life acceptable to good people, even those who are not believers.  Thus it is the life of a faithful witness for Christ.

o   It is a satisfying life.  This person has no “need.”  They are taking care of their own things and are not being a problem to others.  This is God’s will who provides all our needs (Phil. 4:19; Mt. 6:34) and Who tells us we are worse than the unbelievers around us if we do not care for our own (1 Tim. 5:8).

So there we have it.  Let us seek the Lord for wisdom and grace to live in such a way before our watching world.