1 Thessalonians 4:11 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads, "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you."

This verse is part of a letter that the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica. The letter is generally thought to have been written in the early 50s AD, making it one of the earliest books of the New Testament. In this particular verse, Paul is giving practical advice to the Thessalonian Christians about how they should conduct themselves in their daily lives.

The first part of the verse, "And that ye study to be quiet," emphasizes the importance of living a peaceful and calm life. Paul encourages the Thessalonians to make a deliberate effort to avoid unnecessary conflict and drama. This can be interpreted as a call to avoid gossip, strife, and contention, and to instead focus on pursuing peaceful relationships with others.

The second part of the verse, "and to do your own business," suggests that the Thessalonians should focus on their own affairs and responsibilities rather than meddling in the affairs of others. This could be seen as promoting personal responsibility, self-sufficiency, and independence. It encourages believers to work on their own personal growth and development rather than getting caught up in the problems and drama of others.

The third part of the verse, "and to work with your own hands," promotes the value of hard work and productivity. This echoes a theme that is common throughout the New Testament, which is the importance of honest labor and the idea that all work is valuable in God's sight. Paul's encouragement to "work with your own hands" may also be a reference to the cultural context of Thessalonica, where manual labor was a common occupation. In this way, Paul is instructing the Thessalonians to be industrious and diligent in their work.

Another key aspect of this verse is the idea of obedience to authority. Paul indicates that these instructions are not merely suggestions but are in fact commands that he is giving to the Thessalonians. This reflects the belief that as an apostle, Paul had the authority to instruct and guide the early Christian communities, and that they were expected to heed his teachings as coming from a position of spiritual leadership.

In terms of symbolism, this verse can be seen as representing the broader themes of Christian living and ethical behavior. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining personal integrity, living peacefully with others, and working diligently in one's vocation. These are all fundamental aspects of Christian discipleship and are consistent with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the importance of love, humility, and service to others.

Overall, 1 Thessalonians 4:11 is a practical and down-to-earth exhortation from the apostle Paul to the early Christian community in Thessalonica. It encourages believers to prioritize peaceful living, personal responsibility, and hard work, while also underscoring the importance of obedience to spiritual authority. The verse continues to resonate with Christians today, serving as a timeless reminder of the values and behaviors that should characterize the lives of those who seek to follow Christ.