Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Thessalonians 4:9

"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;" — 1 Thessalonians 4:9 (ASV)

“Now about” is a frequent Pauline formula for introducing a new subject (4:13; 5:1; cf. 1 Corinthians 7:1, 25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1, 12). Paul is now responding to a different element of Timothy’s oral report about Thessalonica . In vv.9– 10a he acknowledges their practical compliance with a responsibility to love each other. This “brotherly love” (GK 5789) presupposes the close ties within the spiritual family of God. Paul views further writing on the subject as superfluous in that they are “taught by God” through the indwelling Holy Spirit (v.8; cf. Jn 6:45) to so love. At conversion, believers become lifelong pupils as the Spirit bears inner witness to the love within the Christian family (cf. Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22). No external stimulus is necessary; mutual love among Christians is an inbred quality.

Proof of this inner instruction was visible in the Thessalonians’ love for all Christians of their province. Any contacts they had with churches in Berea and Philippi are unknown except for the implications of these verses. Groups of believers had possibly sprung up in other parts of the province since the beginning of Paul’s Macedonian mission (Acts 16:9–12). With some allowance for Paul’s hyperbolic “all,” it is safe to assume that a goodly proportion of the believers in the province had been touched by the Thessalonians’ unselfish concern. Otherwise, the missionary zeal reflected in 1:8 lacks clear substantiation.

As exemplary as the Thessalonians had been (1:3; 3:6), however, further progress remained a goal for them (3:12). Paul repeats and particularizes v.1 in the expression, “we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.” More love is always possible for Christians because the ultimate example of Christ himself (15:12) is infinite and can only be approached, never fully reached.