1 Thessalonians 4:12

1 Thessalonians 4:12

That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

a. NLT: Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.

b. NIV: So that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.  

c. YLT: That ye may walk becomingly unto those without, and may have lack of nothing.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: So that you may bear yourselves becomingly and be correct and honorable and command the respect of the outside world, being dependent on nobody [self-supporting] and having need of nothing.

e. Worrell Translation: That ye walk becomingly towards those without, and that ye may have need of nothing.

f. Wuest Translation: In order that you may be conducting yourselves in a manner becoming to you [as children of God] toward those who are on the outside, in order that you may not be having need of anything.

1. “That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without…”

a. that [Strong: 2443 hina hin'-ah probably from the same as the former part of 1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare 3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, 

because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.]

b. ye may walk [Strong: 4043 peripateo per-ee-pat-eh'-o from 4012 and 3961; to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary):--go, be occupied with, walk (about).] [Zodhiates: to tread or walk about.] [peripateo; peri-about; pateo-to walk]

c. honestly [Strong: 2156 euschemonos yoo-skhay-mon'-ose adverb from 2158; decorously:--decently, honestly.] [Zodhiates: decorously,  decently, honestly.]

d. towards [Strong: 4314 pros pros a strengthened form of 4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.]

e. [them] that [Strong: 3588  ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

f. are without [Strong: 1854 exo ex'-o adverb from 1537; out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively:--away, forth, (with-)out (of, -ward), strange.] [Zodhiates: out, without, as opposed to within.]

2. “…and that ye may have lack of nothing.”

a. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. that ye may have [Strong: 2192 echo ekh'-o, including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; (used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.]

c. lack [Strong: 5532 chreia khri'-ah from the base of 5530 or 5534; employment, i.e. an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution:--business, lack, necessary(-ity), need(-ful), use, want.]

d. of nothing [Strong: 3367 medeis may-dice', including the irregular feminine medemia may-dem-ee'-ah, and the neuter meden may-den' from 3361 and 1520; not even one (man, woman, thing):--any (man, thing), no (man), none, not (at all, any man, a whit), nothing, + without delay.

1). This short portion of a sentence gives us one of the God ordained reasons for money. There are three reasons for money that I see in Scripture, though there may be more. To have lack of nothing is to basically provide for our own. This implies receiving wages from an employer whereby I can buy goods in order not to have lack. This is one of my responsibilities.

a). 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

2). The second reason for money is to provide for those who do lack.

a). Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

3). The third reason is to further the message of salvation, that God’s Covenant may be established in the earth.

a). Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swear unto thy fathers, as it is this day.