1 Thessalonians 4:9

¶ But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

But {G1161} as touching {G4012} brotherly love {G5360} ye need {G2192}{G5532} not {G3756} that I write {G1125} unto you {G5213}: for {G1063} ye {G5210} yourselves {G846} are {G2075} taught of God {G2312} to {G1519} love {G25} one another {G240}.

Concerning love for the brothers we do not need to write you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other;

Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.

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;

Commentary

1 Thessalonians 4:9 highlights the foundational importance of love within the Christian community, affirming that believers are divinely instructed in this crucial virtue.

Context of 1 Thessalonians 4:9

This verse appears in the middle section of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian church, a young but vibrant community facing various challenges, including persecution and questions about Christian living. Paul had already addressed themes of sanctification and sexual purity in the preceding verses (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). He then transitions to social ethics, commending them for their existing practice of love while gently encouraging their continued growth in this area. This emphasis on love sets the stage for further instructions on peaceful living and the hope of Christ's return later in the chapter.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Instruction in Love: The central message is that believers are "taught of God" to love one another. This isn't merely human effort or social convention but a supernatural capacity and inclination imparted by the Holy Spirit. It implies an internal transformation that guides their relationships.
  • Brotherly Love (Philadelphia): Paul specifically refers to "brotherly love," or philadelphia in Greek. This term denotes the deep, familial affection and loyalty that should characterize members of God's household. It's a mutual care that binds believers together, reflecting their shared spiritual parentage. This kind of love is essential for a healthy church community and a powerful witness to the world.
  • Commendation and Encouragement: Paul's phrasing, "ye need not that I write unto you," is a commendation, acknowledging their existing practice of love. However, it also serves as a subtle encouragement to abound in it even more, a common Pauline rhetorical device.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "brotherly love" is philadelphia (φιλαδελφία), a compound of philos (love, affection) and adelphos (brother). It signifies a strong, familial bond among believers, akin to the affection within a natural family. While distinct from agape (ἀγάπη), the unconditional, divine love, philadelphia is a practical expression of agape within the Christian community.

The phrase "taught of God" translates the single Greek word theodidaktoi (θεοδίδακτοι). This powerful term means "God-taught" or "divinely instructed." It emphasizes that the capacity and desire to love one another are not learned through human institutions or mere moral teachings, but are directly imparted by God through the Holy Spirit within the hearts of believers. This aligns with the promises of the New Covenant, where God writes His laws on their hearts.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Thessalonians 4:9 serves as a profound reminder of the source and nature of Christian love. Our ability to genuinely "love one another" stems from God's work within us, not solely from our own efforts. This verse encourages us to:

  • Cultivate Divine Love: Recognize that true Christian love is a supernatural gift. We should pray for and yield to the Holy Spirit's work, allowing Him to produce this fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).
  • Prioritize Community: Actively engage in showing practical "brotherly love" within our local church and wider Christian community. This includes acts of service, compassion, forgiveness, and mutual encouragement.
  • Be a Witness: The love Christians have for one another is a powerful testimony to the world, as Jesus himself taught (John 13:35). Living out this God-taught love strengthens the church and glorifies God.
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Cross-References

  • 1 John 3:11 (14 votes)

    ¶ For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

  • Romans 12:10 (12 votes)

    [Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

  • 1 John 3:23 (10 votes)

    ¶ And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

  • John 13:34 (7 votes)

    A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

  • John 13:35 (7 votes)

    By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

  • 1 John 4:21 (7 votes)

    And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

  • 1 John 5:1 (7 votes)

    ¶ Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.