Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

"But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another; for indeed ye do it toward all the brethren that are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brethren, that ye abound more and more; and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we charged you; that ye may walk becomingly toward them that are without, and may have need of nothing." — 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 (ASV)

We should notice what is good in others, and praise them for it, so that we may encourage them to abound in it more and more. All who are savingly taught by God are taught to love one another. The teaching of the Spirit exceeds the teachings of men; and men's teaching is vain and useless, unless God teaches.

Those remarkable for this or any other grace need to increase in it, as well as to persevere to the end. It is very desirable to have a calm and quiet temperament, and to be of a peaceable and quiet demeanor. Satan is busy to trouble us, and we have in our hearts what disposes us to be unquiet; therefore, let us study to be quiet.

Those who are busybodies, meddling in other people's matters, have little quiet in their own minds and cause great disturbances among their neighbors. They seldom heed the other exhortation: to be diligent in their own calling, to work with their own hands. Christianity does not take us from the work and duty of our particular callings but teaches us to be diligent in them.

People often by slothfulness reduce themselves to severe hardship and are subject to many needs; while those who are diligent in their own business earn their own bread and have great pleasure in doing so.