[9] Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, [10]for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
As followers of Jesus, we are to love one another —a command that may seem straightforward at first glance. However, beneath its apparent simplicity lies profound significance. Indeed, in what could possibly be one of the earliest letters within the Pauline epistles, Paul, Silas, and Timothy underscore the necessity of this command.
In the coastal city of Thessalonica, a burgeoning church had recently emerged amidst the backdrop of persecution instigated by Jewish leaders (Acts 17:1-9).Written either from Athens or Corinth around AD 49-51, Paul eagerly received the report from Timothy that they have “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9)
No Need to Write
The apostle Paul asserts that there is no necessity for anyone to write to the Thessalonians regarding brotherly love. The brevity of this section aptly captures that sentiment. However, before moving on, Paul highlights two reasons why no one needs to write to them, introducing each reason with the word “for.” The word “for” functions as a conjunction that introduces explanations or reasons for the statement that precedes it.
Reason 1 – Divine Instruction
The initial rationale Paul offers is rooted in the divine instruction received by the believers in Thessalonica, indicating that they have been directly “taught by God.”
Paul and his co-laborers invested three Sabbaths in Thessalonica, dedicating themselves to spreading the gospel amidst the growing tension in the city provoked by their presence.
Despite their brief stay, they imparted a significant amount of instruction. This is particularly noteworthy given the weighty subject matter addressed from chapter 4:13 to 5:11.
However, amidst this depth of teaching, Paul emphasizes that the Thessalonians have received divine instruction in the imperative of loving one another. He doesn’t attribute this teaching to himself or his companions but humbly acknowledges its origin from God, underscoring its divine nature and authority.
Indeed, this aligns with the prophecies regarding the last days, where God promised to personally instruct His people and inscribe His laws upon their hearts. It reflects the fulfilment of God’s covenantal promise to guide and transform His people directly, a testament to His intimate involvement in shaping their character and conduct.
All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah 54:13
And,
I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.
Jeremiah 31:33b
Before His crucifixion, Jesus shares a final meal with His disciples. During this solemn occasion, known as the Last Supper, our Lord Jesus humbly washes the feet of His disciples and imparts crucial teachings to them. The proximity of this event to His impending death underscores its profound significance. As Judas, the betrayer, leaves the room Jesus says the following:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35
The disciples’ love for Jesus is evidenced by their love for one another. This is why Paul asserts that no one needs to write to them regarding brotherly love. Paul’s instruction is not merely human; it is rooted in the Deity of Jesus Christ and the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the Thessalonians’ knowledge and wisdom in loving one another stem from God’s direct teachings.
In the same way that God spoke the universe into existence, God has directly and immediately shone in their hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).
Reason 2 – Active Obedience
The subsequent justification lies in their active demonstration of this love, extending not only within Thessalonica but also “throughout Macedonia,” affirming their consistent practice of brotherly love.
The brotherly love demonstrated by the Thessalonian believers was authentic, as confirmed by the broader Macedonians province. Paul highlights their active faith, devoted love, and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:3). Their steadfast commitment originated from their conversion to Christ, which led them to renounce idolatry, devote themselves to serving God, eagerly await Christ’s return, and find deliverance from impending judgment (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10).
Yet, Paul now exhorts them to intensify their pursuit even further. Previously, in addressing sexual immorality, Paul politely implored, “…we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus...” (1 Thessalonians 4:1), employing a gentle request to appeal to their openness to his guidance. However, in this passage, he employs a stronger tone. By urging them, he conveys a heightened level of persuasion and encouragement, indicating the urgency and significance of his message. Paul isn’t simply making a courteous appeal; rather, he emphatically counsels the Thessalonians to earnestly heed his apostolic instruction and promptly put it into action.
Paul’s urging springs from his desire to see their continued growth in sanctification. He does not want them to become complacent but to excel all the more in their love for one another. This is consistent with what Paul teaches elsewhere in his writings to the churches,
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
And,
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
Sanctification involves the ongoing process of being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ through the cooperative work of the Holy Spirit and the individual believer. It requires an active engagement on the part of the Christian to “put off” sinful behaviours, “strain forward” in pursuit of righteousness, and “not quench the Spirit.”
In Conclusion
Brotherly love, as outlined by Paul to the Thessalonians, is both divine in origin and essential in practice. The Thessalonians exemplified this love, yet were urged to intensify their commitment. Likewise, we’re called to excel in this love, understanding that it’s a continual process of sanctification. Let us, therefore, press on in our pursuit of Christ-likeness, enabled by the Holy Spirit, and marked by our love for one another.
As King David captures this so plainly in Psalm 133:1,
Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
