Study To Be Quiet?

"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you." (I Thess. 4: 11 kjv)

JBF commentary comments:

"study to be quiet—Greek, "make it your ambition to be quiet, and to do your own business." In direct contrast to the world's ambition, which is, "to make a great stir," and "to be busybodies" (2Th 3:11, 12)."

On this verse Dr. John Gill wrote in his famed commentary:

"And that ye study to be quiet,.... To live peaceably in their own families, and to give no disturbance to other families, by talebearing, whispering, and backbiting; to behave with quietness in the neighbourhood, town, or city, they dwell in, and to seek the peace thereof; and to lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty, in the commonwealth, and under the government to which they belong; and not to create and encourage factions, divisions, animosities, and contentions, in their own church, or in any of the churches of Christ; and it becomes saints to make this their study, to be very solicitous for it, to strive for it, and pursue after it: the word used signifies to be ambitious of it, as what is a man's glory and honour, to emulate and strive to outdo each other, as who shall have the honour of being the quietest person, and the most peaceable member in the community..."

I think that is good commentary on what the text means. I think it means not to be a busybody, or meddler in the affairs of others; in other words, to mind your own business. Paul does follow the words "study (or be ambitious to be) quiet" with the words "do your own business." I think involved in this is to do as the following verses say (some of which are alluded to by Dr. Gill).

"quiet and secure" (Judges 18: 7, 27).

"And they found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceable." (I Chron. 4: 40)

"So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years." (II Chron. 14: 1; See also II Chron. 14:5; 20:30; 23: 21)

"For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land." (Psa. 35: 20)

"He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven." (Psa. 103: 29-30)

"But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil." (Prov. : 33)

"The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing." (Isa. 14: 7)

"Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation..." (Isa. 33: 20)

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." (I Tim. 2: 1-2)

"...the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." (I Peter 3: 4)

From these verses we can fully understand what it means to live quietly. It is opposed to a noisy life. What is that? It is a home where people are shouting at one another. It is a life where the noise of evil partying is heard. It is the noise of battle, and of tumult, of those in riotous living. Of the whore described by Solomon in the Proverbs we read these words: "She is loud and wayward;her feet do not stay at home" (Prov. 7: 11). This type of noisy life is seen in a life full of revellings and riotous living. Notice these texts:

"For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you." (I Peter 4: 3 kjv)

Note that the word "revellings" is from the Greek word "kōmos" and means: 

"a revel, carousal a nocturnal and riotous procession of half drunken and frolicsome fellows who after supper parade through the streets with torches and music in honour of Bacchus or some other deity, and sing and play before houses of male and female friends; hence used generally of feasts and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry." (Outline of biblical usage by Strong)

"Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying." (Rom. 13: 13)

Here "rioting" is from "kōmos" and it and the word "reveling" cannot be thought to be a quiet affair, but rather loud and noisy. Such kinds of wicked parties are not examples of living a quiet life. James speaks of the noise of war and conflict when he writes:

"Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?" (James 4: 1 nkjv) 

You are not seeking a peaceable and quiet life it you are in riotous parties, or when you are involved in strifes, wars, and conflicts. 

I also think that striving to be quiet not only means a quiet life, but a quiet mouth. In other words we could say they include the common exclamation uttered by many to others, i.e. "keep your mouth shut." So one translation gives us these words from king Solomon: "Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble." (Prov. 21:23 NLT) The same translation gives us this proverb: "Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut." (10: 19)

Bible verses that encourage learning to be silent include: Proverbs 17:27-28 (the wise use words with restraint), James 1:19 (be quick to listen, slow to speak), Ecclesiastes 3:7 (a time for silence), and 1 Timothy 2:11 (women should learn in quietness and submission).

Of course, studying to be quiet and minding our own business does not mean that we do not look out for each other and seek to help and advise, and even correct, our brethren and our neighbors. There is a delicate balance here in knowing when to not be quiet and when to be quiet, or when to speak loudly and when to keep one's mouth shut. So Paul exhorts - “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor” (Eph. 4: 25 nkjv)

In Baptist church covenants we often have the words "looking out for each other." This refers to the commitment among members to actively care for one another spiritually, emotionally, and practically, including offering support, encouragement, accountability, and sometimes gentle correction when needed, all based on the principle of Christian love and fellowship within the church community; essentially, acting as a supportive network for one another. (AI search)

This does not mean that we spy on each other, looking for opportunities to point the accusing finger, a thing God says he hates. (Isa. 58: 9) It also doesn't mean that we become busybodies and gossipers, but does mean that we are not prying into the lives of others in order to spread rumors. 

Friend, do you need to study to be quiet? Do you not want a "quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty"? Well, our text says to make it your ambition or your study to live that kind of life, a life where you do not call undue attention to yourself and not be a quarreler or a cause of commotion, nor be a loud and boisterous reveler, i.e. a "loud mouth."  

"Being quiet can be a struggle, but it can also be a good virtue to have. The Bible commends those who are able to keep the peace and listen, however, discourages being quiet due to timidness." (AI)

There are lots of texts in the Bible that encourage us to appreciate silence. Oftentimes we are talking, often loudly, when we ought to be quiet and other times we are silent when we ought to be speaking. We need wisdom in judging each circumstance.