1 Thessalonians 4:11

Study. Gr. philotimeomai, literally, “to be fond of honor”; here, “to be ambitious,” “to aspire.”

To be quiet. That is, to live a quiet life, to live calmly. There may have been fanaticism among the Thessalonian believers. Fanciful ideas and doctrines were being promulgated by a few to the disquieting of the many (see 2 Thess. 3:11, 12; AA 261). It appears, from the context and the tenor of the epistle, that these unsettling views were connected with the doctrine of the second advent (see 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-11; cf. AA 228,229).

Do your own business. Or, “mind your own affairs.” It would appear from this that some of the church members had been meddling in affairs that were not their own, possibly even in the affairs of the church (cf. on 2 Thess. 3:11, 12).

Work. One of the best safeguards against meddling is active pursuit of one’s own work. But it seems that some were teaching that in view of the second advent it was too late to work at ordinary pursuits. As a result, some had stopped working for a livelihood and were depending for support upon the generosity of their brethren.

We commanded. Paul had already dealt with the problem while he was with the Thessalonians, so he can now appeal to his previous verbal instructions, and he not only commanded this way of life but set a notable example of industry, independence, and helpfulness (cf. on Acts 18:3).