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Daily Devotions

1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 
Day 
Day 42

"Concerning brotherly love..."

Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:9

BROTHERLY LOVE

It was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who taught His disciples to have a deep sense of love for each other. This teaching was given as a commandment (John 13:34). The apostle Paul reinforced this thought.

“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.”

1 Thessalonians 4:9

1. “Brotherly love”

a) This translates a single word in the Greek text (“filadelfias”).
b) This is the name of the city “Philadelphia”.
c) It may be translated literally as “brotherly love”.

2. “You have no need that I should write to you”

a) This topic would be classified as “the remaining things” (“loipos”…”finally then” 1 Thessalonians 4:1)

b) There was no need to teach the Thessalonians about “brotherly love”.

3. “For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another”

a) “Taught by God” translates one word “theodidaktoi”.
b) God was personally involved in teaching them.
c) This is perfectly conceivable in the context of the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:33-34).
i) God will put the law into their minds.
ii) God will write His law on their hearts.
iii) All will know that God is personally involved in teaching His people.

4. Evidence of love in the Thessalonian church

a) Their labour of love was duly noted (1 Thessalonians 1:3).
b) Timothy brought back a healthy report of their faith and love (1 Thessalonians 3:6).

THE CHALLENGE TO PRACTISE BROTHERLY LOVE

Let us ponder how we may practise this “brotherly love” in our life.

1. Let us see this as a commandment of the Lord Jesus (John 13:34).

2. Let us emulate the example of the Lord Jesus (John 13:1).

3. The practice of this love is best seen in the keeping of His commandments (John 14:21).

4. Let us practise abiding in Christ’s love (John 15:9).

5. God’s love has been wonderfully poured into our hearts (Romans 5:5).