Is a Quiet Life Biblical?
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. . . that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
Make a quiet life your ambition.
Paul’s instruction to the Thessalonians was that they should lead a quiet life. This quiet life that Paul commanded was supposed to be a pursuable value—a life ambition for them.
What is a quiet life?
The idea is just what it says—quiet, silent, not loud. The word is used in Luke 14:4, Acts 11:18, and 21:14. This concept seems contrary to the Great Commission command to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. In the context, the idea of being quiet is associated with overflowing love for others (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10) and with a Christian work ethic in verses 11-12. Putting together the ideas in the context the idea is probably that Christians ought to live free of loud and argumentative conflict. This was probably a staple of life in the Greek culture of the day. They loved argument and philosophical debate. The Church at Corinth, where Paul was residing at the time he wrote this book, had members who would drag one another into heathen courts to settle financial disputes (1 Corinthians 6). This type of behavior is contrary to the Christ-like behavior Paul desired for new believers. A quiet life does not use a public forum to create conflict, argue with brothers, and stand critical of the world around us.
Mind your own business.
The KJV translates the phrase “do your own business.” The ESV says, “mind your own affairs,” while the NIV says “mind your own business.” The last one has a very negative connotation in our culture that might not have existed in the original phrase, but still, the general idea fits. Focus on your own business, which of course means do not become overly preoccupied with the affairs of others. In our 24/7 news cycle, we are constantly preoccupied with the affairs of others. People in California are deeply concerned that people in South Dakota are not practicing proper social distancing.
We often do this as believers. We try to morally police everyone around us. In so doing, we do violence to the gospel. By injecting ourselves into the private lives of people this way, we inadvertently communicate that moral reform is our desire for the unsaved world. Moral reform is not only NOT our goal, it is not even possible. The only solution for the wickedness around us is the transforming power of the gospel. To preach a message of condemnation without the gospel is to declare the sickness and hide the cure.
Be a producer, not a consumer.
There are always exceptions to this. Some people are physically unable. There are moments in a believer’s life when he can and must receive with thanksgiving the loving care of other believers. However, our goal should be to avoid laziness, avoid expecting others to meet our needs, and avoid being a drag on the culture around us. Believers ought to be known for using their time wisely, working hard, and having a good testimony. To the Greeks, manual labor was the work of slaves, but Paul commended such humble work as commendable for believers. Paul wrote this letter when he was in Corinth for the first time. According to Acts 18:3, Paul was earning his bread as a tentmaker with Aquila and Pricilla at the same time he was telling the Thessalonians to work with their hands. He was practicing what he preached.
So, let’s apply this in our present, 21st Century context. Where do believers engage in loud belligerent conflict, meddle in other peoples’ business, and waste time that they should be spending on more productive pursuits?
Is that urge to “Facebook vent” slipping away? I hope so.