1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 9And now about brotherly love I have no need to write you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10for you also do it toward all the brothers [and sisters] who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers [and sisters], to abound more,
Paul now expands and generalizes his directions to the Thessalonians. He uses multiple terms of relationships in these verses. First, instead of following deceived desires degrading to lust, they should engage more in building one another up in brotherly love (philadelphias). This type of love is an expression of God’s love (agapan) in our relationships with others. They were taught by God (a compound word theo plus didaktoi) to love each other. Verse 7 indicates how God teaches us to love–through his Holy Spirit. Love is the first fruit in the list in Galatians 5:22-23. Paul had been praying and asking God to help the Thessalonians grow in love (3:12). The theme of love is interwoven throughout this short letter. Love should result in holiness, and holiness lead to love. Both themes are found in the prayer at the end of chapter 3, which serves as an introduction to chapter 4. As chapter 4 begins, both themes are now at the forefront. God’s will is for the Thessalonians to be sanctified and to be loving.
A second relationship term comes with Paul’s reference to the Macedonian believers. The Thessalonians had developed a reputation of faith, love, and hope (1:3, 8). This verse reconfirms the earlier statement to show that their love is having an impact on other brothers and sisters in Christ. Third, Paul addresses the Thessalonians again by calling them brothers [and sisters]. These terms of fictive kinship display the doctrine of adoption. Through Christ’s redemption, believers are adopted into God’s family and can call God, Abba, Father (Romans 8:15-16). Believers then become brothers and sisters together in this family. Paul’s prayer and hope for the Thessalonians is that their love for one another abound more than it is even at that time. Love is something that has no limits. We can always grow more in love with God and others.
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