1 Thessalonians Chapter 4 · Verse 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.
Original Language Analysis
Περὶ
as touching
G4012
Περὶ
as touching
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χρείαν
G5532
χρείαν
Strong's:
G5532
Word #:
6 of 18
employment, i.e., an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution
ἔχετε
ye need
G2192
ἔχετε
ye need
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
7 of 18
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
γράφειν
that I write
G1125
γράφειν
that I write
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
8 of 18
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
αὐτοὶ
yourselves
G846
αὐτοὶ
yourselves
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
15 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
1 John 3:11For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.Romans 12:10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;1 John 3:23And 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.Hebrews 13:1Let brotherly love continue.1 Thessalonians 5:1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.Hebrews 10:16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;Acts 4:32And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.Psalms 133:1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!1 John 2:10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.John 14:26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Historical Context
The Thessalonians demonstrated remarkable brotherly love despite persecution and poverty. They cared for one another when society ostracized them, shared resources when conversion cost jobs, and maintained unity despite diverse backgrounds (Jews, Greeks, men, women, slave, free). This love authenticated their faith (John 13:35) and attracted observers. Early church father Tertullian reported pagans saying of Christians: 'See how they love one another!' This supernatural love, taught by God through the Spirit, distinguished the church from surrounding culture's self-interest.
Questions for Reflection
- What evidence demonstrates that you're 'taught by God' to love (internal transformation) versus merely complying with external commands?
- How does understanding brotherly love as God-taught affect your motivation compared to viewing it as human obligation?
- In what specific ways does your Christian community demonstrate the supernatural brotherly love that attracted observers to the early church?
Analysis & Commentary
But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another—peri de tēs philadelphias ou chreian echete graphein hymin, autoi gar hymeis theodidaktoi este eis to agapan allēlous (περὶ δὲ τῆς φιλαδελφίας οὐ χρείαν ἔχετε γράφειν ὑμῖν, αὐτοὶ γὰρ ὑμεῖς θεοδίδακτοί ἐστε εἰς τὸ ἀγαπᾶν ἀλλήλους). Paul transitions from sexual ethics to philadelphia (φιλαδελφία, 'brotherly love')—the affection believers should have for fellow Christians. The remarkable word theodidaktoi (θεοδίδακτοι, 'taught by God,' appearing only here in Scripture) indicates divine instruction, not merely human teaching.
How are believers 'taught by God' to love? Through
God's internal teaching surpasses external rules—believers love not from compulsion but transformation. Paul's commendation ('ye need not that I write') doesn't mean they achieved perfection but that they already practiced brotherly love; he'll still encourage them to 'increase more and more' (v. 10). Divine teaching produces authentic love; mere human instruction produces at best external conformity.