John Calvin Commentary 1 Thessalonians 4:11

"and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we charged you;" — 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (ASV)

Maintain Peace. I have already stated that this clause must be separated from what precedes it, for this is a new sentence. Now, to be at peace, means in this passage—to act peacefully and without disturbance, as we also say in French—sans bruit (without noise). In short, he exhorts them to be peaceable and tranquil.

This is the meaning of what he adds immediately afterwards—do your own business: for we commonly see that those who intrude themselves with officiousness into the affairs of others cause great disturbance and give trouble to themselves and others. This, therefore, is the best means of a tranquil life, when everyone, intent upon the duties of his own calling, discharges those duties which are enjoined upon him by the Lord and devotes himself to these things; while the farmer employs himself in agricultural work, the craftsman carries on his trade, and in this way everyone keeps within his own limits.

As soon as men turn aside from this, everything is thrown into confusion and disorder. He does not mean, however, that everyone should mind his own business in such a way that each one should live apart, having no care for others, but he merely aims to correct an idle levity that makes men noisy bustlers in public, who ought to lead a quiet life in their own homes.

Labor with your hands. He recommends manual labor for two reasons—that they may have enough to support life, and that they may conduct themselves honorably even before unbelievers. For nothing is more unseemly than a man who is idle and good for nothing, who benefits neither himself nor others, and seems born only to eat and drink. Furthermore, this labor or system of working has a broad meaning, for what he says concerning hands is by way of synecdoche; but there can be no doubt that he includes every useful occupation in human life.