1 Thessalonians 4:9 – Taught by God

9 Now, concerning brotherly fondness, we have no need to be writing to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to be loving one another,

After his teaching on holiness and marriage, Paul introduces a new subject: brotherly fondness. The Greek word refers to the warm bond shared by family members. In the same way, believers are connected to one another as brothers and sisters. After all, they do not merely share the same beliefs; they are united through God’s calling.

Paul writes that the Thessalonians have no need for written instruction on this subject. Why not? Because they have been taught by God themselves! They did not learn this through human effort, but from God Himself. He is their teacher. This connects with the preceding verse, in which Paul writes that God gives His holy spirit among them. God’s teaching, then, does not merely come from outside; it is His own work within them.

But how does God teach us to love one another? By pouring out His own love into our hearts through holy spirit (Rom. 5:5). And what does that love consist of? God demonstrates His love for us in that Christ died for us while we were still irreverent, sinners, and enemies (Rom. 5:5–10). His love is unconditional and never ends. By coming to know that love, we too learn to love one another!

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