1 Thessalonians 4:9
WEB
But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another,
BSB
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.
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.
Matthew Henry
Greek interlinear
G4012
(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with
Derivation: from the base of G4008;
properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period)
KJV: (there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with.
In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).
See also: G4008.
G1161
also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English)
Derivation: a primary particle (adversative or continuative);
but, and, etc.
KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
G3588
the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc
, including the feminine ἡ , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;
Derivation: the definite article;
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
G5360
brotherly love (kindness), love of the brethren
Derivation: from G5361;
fraternal affection
KJV: brotherly love (kindness), love of the brethren.
See also: G5361.
G3756
+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but
, also (before a vowel) οὐκ , and (before an aspirate) οὐχ
Derivation: a primary word;
the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not
KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.
See also G3364, G3372.
See also: G3361, G3364, G3372.
G5532
business, lack, necessary(-ity), need(-ful), use, want
Derivation: from the base of G5530 or G5534;
employment, i.e. an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution
KJV: business, lack, necessary(-ity), need(-ful), use, want.
See also: G5534, G5530.
G2192
be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use
, including an alternate form σχέω ; (used in certain tenses only)
Derivation: a primary verb;
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
KJV: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
G1125
describe, write(-ing, -ten)
Derivation: a primary verb;
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
KJV: describe, write(-ing, -ten).
G4771
thou
Derivation: the personal pronoun of the second person singular;
thou
KJV: thou.
See also G4571, G4671, G4675; and for the plural G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.
See also: G4675, G4571, G4671, G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.
G846
her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which
Derivation: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of G109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward);
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.
Compare G848.
See also: G109, G1438, G848.
G1063
and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet
Derivation: a primary particle;
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
KJV: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
G2312
taught of God
Derivation: from G2316 and G1321;
divinely instructed
KJV: taught of God.
See also: G2316, G1321.
G1510
am, have been, X it is I, was
Derivation: the first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb;
I exist (used only when emphatic)
KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was.
See also G1488, G1498, G1511, G1527, G2258, G2071, G2070, G2075, G2076, G2771, G2468, G5600.
See also: G1488, G1498, G1511, G1527, G2258, G2071, G2070, G2075, G2076, G2771, G2468, G5600.
G1519
(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with
Derivation: a primary preposition;
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
KJV: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with.
Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
G25
(be-)love(-ed)
Derivation: perhaps from ἄγαν (much) (or compare G5689);
to love (in a social or moral sense)
KJV: (be-)love(-ed).
Compare G5368.
See also: G5689, G5368.
G240
each other, mutual, one another, (the other), (them-, your-)selves, (selves) together (sometimes with or )
Derivation: Genitive plural from G243 reduplicated;
one another
KJV: each other, mutual, one another, (the other), (them-, your-)selves, (selves) together (sometimes with G3326 or G4314).
See also: G243, G3326, G4314.
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Verses 9–12
1 Thessalonians 4:9–12
In these words the apostle mentions the great duties,
I. Of brotherly love. This he exhorts them to increase in yet more and more. The exhortation is introduced, not with a compliment, but with a commendation, because they were remarkable in the exercise of it, which made it less needful that he should write to them about it, Th1 4:9. Thus by his good opinion of them he insinuated himself into their affections, and so made way for his exhortation to them. Note, We should take notice of that in others which is good, to their praise, that by so doing we may lay engagements upon them to abound therein more and more. Observe,
1. What it is that the apostle commends in them. It was not so much their own virtue as God's grace; yet he takes notice of the evidence they gave of the grace of God in them. (1.) It was God's grace that he took special notice of: that God had taught them this good lesson: You yourselves are taught of God to love one another, Th1 4:9. Whoever does that which is good is taught of God to do it, and God must have the glory. All who are savingly taught of God are taught this lesson, to love one another. This is the livery of Christ's family. Note also, The teaching of the Spirit exceeds the teaching of men; and, as no man should teach contrary to what God teaches, so none can teach so effectually as he teaches; and men's teaching is fain and useless unless God teach also. (2.) The Thessalonians gave good evidence of their being taught of God by their love to the brethren in all Macedonia, Th1 4:10. They not only loved those of their own city and society, or such as were near them and just of their own sentiments, but their love was extensive. And a true Christian's is so to all the saints, though distant from him in place, and differing from him in some opinions or practices of less moment.
2. The exhortation itself is to increase more and more in this great grace and duty of brotherly love, Th1 4:10. Though these Thessalonians had in some sense no need of an exhortation to brotherly love, as if it were wholly wanting, yet they must be exhorted to pray for more, and labour for more. There are none on this side heaven who love in perfection. Those who are eminent in this or any other grace have need of increase therein as well as of perseverance unto the end.
II. Of quietness and industry in their callings. Observe, 1. The apostle exhorts to these duties: that they should study to be quiet, Th1 4:11. It is the most desirable thing to have a calm and quiet temper, and to be of a peaceable and quiet behaviour. This tends much to our own and others' happiness; and Christians should study how to be quiet. We should be ambitious and industrious how to be calm and quiet in our minds, in patience to possess our own souls, and to be quiet towards others; or of a meek and mild, a gentle and peaceable disposition, not given to strife, contention, or division. Satan is very busy to disquiet us; and we have that in our own hearts that disposes us to be disquiet; therefore let us study to be quiet. It follows, Do your own business. When we go beyond this, we expose ourselves to a great deal of inquietude. Those who are busy-bodies, meddling in other men's matters, generally have but little quiet in their own minds and cause great disturbances among their neighbours; at least they seldom mind the other exhortation, to be diligent in their own calling, to work with their own hands; and yet this was what the apostle commanded them, and what is required of us also. Christianity does not discharge us from the work and duty of our particular callings, but teaches us to be diligent therein. 2. The exhortation is enforced with a double argument; namely, (1.) So we shall live creditably. Thus we shall walk honestly, or decently and creditably, towards those that are without, Th1 4:12. This will be to act as becomes the gospel, and will gain a good report from those that are strangers, yea, enemies to it. Note, It is a great ornament to religion when the professors of it are of meek and quiet spirits, diligent to do their own business, and not busy-bodies in other men's matters. (2.) We shall live comfortably, and have lack of nothing, Th1 4:12. People often by their slothfulness bring themselves into narrow circumstances, and reduce themselves to great straits, and are liable to many wants, when such as are diligent in their own business live comfortably and have lack of nothing. They are not burdensome to their friends, nor scandalous to strangers. They earn their own bread, and have the greatest pleasure in so doing.
Cross-references: 1Thess 4:9 · 1Thess 4:10 · 1Thess 4:11 · 1Thess 4:12