1 Thessalonians 4:9
New International Version
Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.

New Living Translation
But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.

English Standard Version
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,

Berean Standard Bible
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.

Berean Literal Bible
Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need for me to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God in order to love one another.

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

New King James Version
But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

New American Standard Bible
Now as to the love of the brothers and sisters, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

NASB 1995
Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

NASB 1977
Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

Legacy Standard Bible
Now concerning love of the brothers, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another,

Amplified Bible
Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need for anyone to write you, for you have been [personally] taught by God to love one another [that is, to have an unselfish concern for others and to do things for their benefit].

Christian Standard Bible
About brotherly love: You don’t need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
About brotherly love: You don’t need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

American Standard Version
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;

Contemporary English Version
We don't have to write you about the need to love each other. God has taught you to do this,

English Revised Version
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;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You don't need anyone to write to you about the way Christians should love each other. God has taught you to love each other.

Good News Translation
There is no need to write you about love for each other. You yourselves have been taught by God how you should love one another.

International Standard Version
Now you do not need anyone to write to you about brotherly love, since you have been taught by God to love each other.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Now on the topic of brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

New Heart English Bible
But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another,

Webster's Bible Translation
But concerning brotherly love ye need not that I write to you: for ye yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

Weymouth New Testament
But on the subject of love for the brotherhood it is unnecessary for me to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another;

World English Bible
But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And concerning the brotherly love, you have no need of [my] writing to you, for you yourselves are God-taught to love one another,

Berean Literal Bible
Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need for me to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God in order to love one another.

Young's Literal Translation
And concerning the brotherly love, ye have no need of my writing to you, for ye yourselves are God-taught to love one another,

Smith's Literal Translation
And for brotherly love ye have no need to write to you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But as touching the charity of brotherhood, we have no need to write to you: for yourselves have learned of God to love one another.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But concerning the charity of brotherhood, we have no need to write to you. For you yourselves have learned from God that you should love one another.

New American Bible
On the subject of mutual charity you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.

New Revised Standard Version
Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now concerning brotherly love, you do not need me to write to you for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But you do not need to have written to you concerning love of the brethren, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But with respect to brotherly love, you have no need that I write to you: for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another;

Godbey New Testament
But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I write to you: for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another with divine love;

Haweis New Testament
Now concerning brotherly love, I have no need to write unto you: for ye yourselves are divinely taught to love one another.

Mace New Testament
As to brotherly love, I have no occasion to write about it, God himself having instructed you to love one another.

Weymouth New Testament
But on the subject of love for the brotherhood it is unnecessary for me to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another;

Worrell New Testament
But concerning brotherly love, ye have no need that one write to you; for ye yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

Worsley New Testament
But as to brotherly love, ye need not that I write unto you; for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Living to Please God
8Anyone, then, who rejects this command does not reject man but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit. 9Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another. 10And you are indeed showing this love to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to excel more and more…

Cross References
John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

1 Peter 1:22
Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.

1 John 3:11
This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

1 John 4:11
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Galatians 5:13-14
For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. / The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Hebrews 13:1
Continue in brotherly love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. / If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. / If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing. ...

1 John 3:23
And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us.

1 John 4:21
And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.

2 John 1:5-6
And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. / And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love.

Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. / And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ...

Romans 13:8-10
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Colossians 3:14
And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.


Treasury of Scripture

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

touching.

Leviticus 19:8
Therefore every one that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the hallowed thing of the LORD: and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Psalm 133:1
A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

John 13:34,35
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another…

ye need.

1 Thessalonians 5:1
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

Jeremiah 31:34
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Hebrews 8:10,11
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: …

for ye.

Isaiah 51:13
And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?

Matthew 22:39
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

John 6:44,45
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day…

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1 Thessalonians 4
1. He exhorts them to go forward in all manner of godliness;
6. to live holily and justly;
9. to love one another;
11. and quietly to follow their own business;
13. and last of all, to sorrow moderately for the dead.
17. followed by a brief description of the resurrection, and second coming of Christ to judgment.














Now about brotherly love
The phrase "brotherly love" is translated from the Greek word "philadelphia," which refers to the love shared among siblings. In the context of the early Christian community, this term emphasizes the familial bond that believers are to have with one another. Historically, the early church was known for its radical sense of community and mutual care, which stood in stark contrast to the often fragmented and hierarchical social structures of the Roman Empire. This love is not merely an emotion but a commitment to act in the best interest of fellow believers, reflecting the unity and love within the body of Christ.

you do not need anyone to write to you
Paul acknowledges that the Thessalonians already understand the importance of brotherly love, suggesting that their actions have already demonstrated this virtue. This phrase implies a commendation of their existing behavior and understanding. It also reflects the apostolic confidence in the work of the Holy Spirit among the believers, who guides them into all truth and love. The early church was often characterized by its members' willingness to support one another, even in times of persecution, which was a powerful testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel.

because you yourselves have been taught by God
This phrase highlights the divine origin of their understanding of love. The Greek word "theodidaktos" means "taught by God," indicating that their knowledge and practice of love are not merely human efforts but are inspired and empowered by God Himself. This teaching by God can be understood as the work of the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers and guides them into living out the commandments of Christ. It underscores the belief that true Christian love is a fruit of the Spirit, cultivated by divine influence rather than human instruction alone.

to love one another
The command to "love one another" is central to the teachings of Jesus and is a recurring theme throughout the New Testament. The Greek word for love here is "agapao," which denotes a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the welfare of others. This love is the hallmark of Christian discipleship, as Jesus stated in John 13:35, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." In the historical context of the Thessalonian church, this love would have been a powerful witness to the surrounding pagan culture, demonstrating the transformative impact of the Gospel. The call to love one another is both a command and a privilege, as it allows believers to participate in the divine nature and reflect God's love to the world.

(9) But . . .--This forms the second subject of instruction, following naturally on the first. "We are very glad to hear of so strong a Christian feeling of brotherhood among you, and think it almost unnecessary to say anything more to you about it; still your charity is hardly catholic enough, nor have you exercised it with sufficient sobriety and thrift."

Brotherly love.--Not love of men at large, but of Christians in particular: in fact, pretty nearly what we call "Church feeling." It is the natural affection of those who feel that they are children of the same Father and the same mother (Galatians 4:26), members of the same "household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). In itself, it is not the most exalted of graces, being to some extent the outcome of community of interests; therefore St. Peter exhorts his readers to make it a means of obtaining the higher grace of charity (1Peter 1:22; 2Peter 1:7). St. Paul in this place does mean the sentiment rather than the practice, but has specially in view the exercise of liberality towards fellow-Christians. The feeling of community can only be known by acts that prove it.

Ye need not.--A sweet rhetorical figure, by which men are encouraged to the performance of a duty in which they are not perfect, by the praising of their imperfect attempts: a specimen of that "courtesy" which is a part of "brotherly love." (See 1Peter 3:8.) "I" should be we, or any. . . .

Verse 9. - The apostle now proceeds to a new exhortation. But as touching brotherly love. Brotherly love is the love of Christians to Christians, that special affection which believers bear to each other; a virtue which was carried to such perfection in the primitive Church as to call forth the admiration of their heathen adversaries. This virtue is often inculcated in Scripture (Hebrews 13:1; 1 John 3:14), and is distinguished from love in general (2 Peter 1:7). Ye need not that I write unto you; a delicate and gentle reproof. For ye yourselves are taught of God. We are not here to think of the new commandment of brotherly love given by the Savior, nor on the Divine compassion exciting us to love; but "taught of God" by the influences of the Spirit on their hearts and consciences to love one another.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

about
Περὶ (Peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

brotherly love,
φιλαδελφίας (philadelphias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5360: Brotherly love, love of Christian brethren. From philadelphos; fraternal affection.

you do
ἔχετε (echete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

not
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

need [anyone]
χρείαν (chreian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5532: From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution.

to write
γράφειν (graphein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

to you,
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

because
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

you
ὑμεῖς (hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

yourselves
αὐτοὶ (autoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

have been
ἐστε (este)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

taught by God
θεοδίδακτοί (theodidaktoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2312: Taught by God, divinely instructed. From theos and didasko; divinely instructed.

to love
ἀγαπᾶν (agapan)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 25: To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.

one another.
ἀλλήλους (allēlous)
Personal / Reciprocal Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 240: One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another.


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NT Letters: 1 Thessalonians 4:9 But concerning brotherly love you have no (1 Thess. 1 Thes. 1Th iTh i Th)
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