1 Thessalonians 4:9, 10 But as touching brotherly love you need not that I write to you: for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another.… The apostle next reminds the Thessalonians of the duty of abounding in brotherly love. I. THE NATURE OF THIS LOVE. 1. It is the affection of those who are children of the same Father. (Galatians 4:26.) Members of the same "household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). "Every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him' (1 John 5:1). 2. It is a practical love. "Not in word only, but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:18). It showed itself in "labors of love," add especially through the whole of Macedonia. 3. It was a duty thoroughly understood by believers, because they were "taught of God to love one another" in both Testaments. 4. It was the test of regeneration. (1 John 3:14.) 5. It was a token of discipleship. (John 13:35.) 6. It was essential to the growth of the Church. (Ephesians 4:16.) II. THE MOTIVES TO THIS LOVE. 1. The command of Christ. (John 13:34.) 2. The example of Christ. (Ephesians 5:2.) 3. The glory of Christ in the world is promoted by it. (John 13:35.) 4. It will be a powerful means towards the world's conversion (John 7:21.) III. THE MANIFESTATION OF THIS LOVE. 1. In bearing one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2). The Thessalonians several years afterwards showed this spirit, as we see by 2 Corinthians 8:1, 2, toward the Churches of Macedonia. 2. "In honor preferring one another" (Romans 12:10). 3. "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another" (Colossians 3:13). 4. "Not suffering sin upon a brother" (Leviticus 19:17). - T.C. Parallel Verses KJV: But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. |
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