NOW AS TO THE LOVE OF THE BRETHREN YOU HAVE NO NEED FOR ANYONE TO WRITE TO YOU FOR YOU YOURSELVES ARE TAUGHT BY GOD TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER: Peri de tes philadelphias ou chreian echete (2PPAI) graphein (PAN) humin, autoi gar humeis theodidaktoi este (2PPAI) eis to agapan (PAN) allelous: (Leviticus 19:8; Psalms 133:1; John 13:34,35; 15:12-17; Acts 4:32; Romans 12:10; Ephesians 5:1,2; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 3:8; 2 Peter 1:7; 1 John 2:10; 3:11,14-19,23; 1 John 4:7-16) (5:1; Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:10,11; 1 John 2:20-27) (Isaiah 51:13; Matthew 22:39; John 6:44,45; 13:34; 14:26; 15:12,17; Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 10:16; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 3:11,23; 4:21; 5:1)

1Thessalonians 4 can be divided as follows...

1Thes 4:1-2     = General Call to a God Pleasing Walk
1Thes 4:3-12   = Specific Aspects of God Pleasing Walk

1Thes 4:3-8     = Sanctification in Area of Sexual Purity
1Thes 4:9-12   = Sanctification in Area of Love and Work

1Thes 4:13-18 = Hope for Grieving Saints

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Now (1161) (de) is translated most often as "but" however in this use is best translated as "now" marking Paul's transition from his discussion of sexual purity to new topics of a believers "love life" and work. Paul now further amplifies what a God pleasing walk looks like and in so doing describes another manifestation of sanctification.

Now as to (peri de) - This is an interesting way to begin this section and raises the possibility that Paul may be addressing some specific questions from the Thessalonians that were relayed to him by Timothy upon his return (see similar intro in 1Cor 7:1 where Paul begins to respond to a series of questions). Notice that Paul begins 1Thessalonians 5 (note) with these same words ("now as to") again suggesting he is addressing their specific concerns about the Day of the Lord.

In a day when there was no active postal service, email or cell phone communication, the sending of letters via returning messengers (like Timothy) was a situation that was seldom wasted. For example Cicero wrote to Atticus that although he had no letter to send...

I cannot refrain from entrusting letters to folk who are bound for Rome, especially when they are members of my household. (Cicero, Epistulae ad Atticum 8.14.1)

Now as to the love of the brethren - ponder the cross references below regarding the love of the brethren...

Ps 133:1 (A Song of Ascents, of David.) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! (Click Spurgeon's comments on this verse some of which include the following..."Behold. It is a wonder seldom seen, therefore behold it! It may be seen, for it is the characteristic of real saints, -- therefore fail not to inspect it! It is well worthy of admiration; pause and gaze upon it! It will charm you into imitation, therefore note it well! God looks on with approval, therefore consider it with attention. How good and holy pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! No one can tell the exceeding excellence of such a condition; and so the Psalmist uses the word "how" twice; -- Behold how good! and how pleasant! He does not attempt to measure either the good or the pleasure, but invites us to behold for ourselves. The combination of the two adjectives "good" and "pleasant", is more remarkable than the conjunction of two stars of the first magnitude: for a thing to be "good" is good, but for it also to be pleasant is better. All men love pleasant things, and yet it frequently happens that the pleasure is evil; but here the condition is as good as it is pleasant, as pleasant as it is good, for the same "how" is set before each qualifying word.")

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you (with a love that was altogether altruistic and unselfish even unto death, the ultimate definition of agape love), that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (Comment:  The law of love to others is now explained with new clarity, enforced by new motives and obligations, illustrated by a new example, and obeyed in a new way. The "badge" of Christianity is not a "fish" on the back of our car or a cross around our neck but is a Christ-like love for one's fellow Christians which requires His divine power, a power only demonstrated in the lives of those indwelt by His Spirit Who Alone can bring forth such precious fruit - Gal 5:22. Love for fellow believers produces a harmony and "aroma" that is inescapably obvious to those who witness it. Indeed, the practice of brotherly love was one of the outstanding features of the early Christian church which made it both distinctive and at the same time attractive to outsiders. One wonders how Paul would describe the church we presently attend? Does the brotherly love at our church draw believers into the fold? Or instead or they drawn by the facilities, etc?)

John 15:12-13 This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. (Comment: Here Jesus states the ultimate expression of agape love - sacrificial to the point of being willing to give up one's very life!)

Romans 12:10 (note) (Based on the true of our new life in Christ and our presentation of our bodies to God {note Romans 12:1}, demonstrate that you are a living sacrifice and) Be devoted (philostorgos = a word that was common in ancient wills where bequests were made "according to philostorgos") to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor

Ephesians 5:1 (note) Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 5:2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Comment: The present imperative be and walk is a command calling for divine imitation to be the saints way of living day by day. Saints are to continually "mimic" God's attitudes and actions by exhibiting His love strengthened by His Spirit - see prayer of Ephesians 3:16 - note)

Hebrews 13:1 (note) Let love of the brethren continue ( present imperative). (Comment: If it is to continue, it indicates it was already present, which is a marker that they were genuine believers. Note that Brotherly love is the natural outflow of the Christian life. It cannot be generated, but it can be stifled as well as nurtured. We are therefore not told to make it happen but to let it continue. When a person is saved he is naturally drawn to fellowship with other believers. The deepest fellowship is not based on blood but on whether you are ''under the blood of Jesus'' and have a future and a hope to share.)

1John 2:10 The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. (Comment: Stumbling is the Greek word skandalon which literally was the part of a trap on on which the bait was laid, when touched caused the trap to close on its prey and thus came to mean any entanglement of the foot. In the context of the present verse, skandalon means {1} that the believer is not in danger of stumbling {as into sin} and/or {2} that he would not "trip up" other believers or non-believers and cause them to sin {stumble}. When others see such an individual abiding in light as manifest by his sacrificial love for his brethren, they see no discordance between his profession and his practice.)

There is a famous quote by Tertullian (ca AD 192) who says the pagans remark in amazement...

"Behold how these Christians love one another."

Love of the brethren (5360) (philadelphia from phílos = beloved, dear, friendly + adelphós = brother) means "fraternal love", brotherly love (kindness), love of the brethren. Brotherly love normally referred to the love members of a family held for each other (this was the way it was used in secular Greek) and would not normally be used to describe the love between members of different families.

However, in the NT philadelphia is used to describe the love that believers possess for one to another, for even though they were members of different natural families, they were united in Christ and were recipients of family love originating from the Father Who had bestowed His great love on His spiritual children (1John 3:1, cp note 1Peter 1:22).

Philadelphia describes a love which calls for an affection for one another like that one expressed between natural family members (see note  Romans 12:10 where devoted or "loving warmly" = philostorgos from philos = beloved, dear + storge = family love,  the love of parents and children). Remember that Christianity forged a radical relationship in Christ wherein believing Greeks and Jews, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarians, Scythians, slaves and freemen, men and women were now all one in their Lord (cp Gal 3:28, see notes Col 3 :11, Eph 4:3ff). Such a diverse cultural community would have continual need for emphasis on love of the brethren. As Christians we have become brothers and sisters in the community of faith and Paul refers to them as brothers (sisters is clearly implied) some nineteen times in 1 Thessalonians alone. Our love is not just a passive disposition of fondness but manifests itself in overt acts of kindness toward the brethren.

Paul frequently mentions love in the Thessalonian epistles...

constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love... (see note 1Thes 1:3)

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, (see note 1Thes 3:6)

and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also do for you (see note 1Thes 3:12)

But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. (see note 1Thes 5:8)

and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. (see note 1Thes 5:13)

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater (2Thes 1:3)

And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ. (2Thes 3:5)

In common Greek philadelphia means love of those actually kin by blood, but in the NT it is the kinship in the love of Christ as in this passage and the others listed below.

Here are the 5 uses on philadelphia in the NT...

Romans 12:10 (note) (see above)

1Thessalonians 4:9

Hebrews 13:1 (note) (see above)

1 Peter 1:22 (note) (see below)

2 Peter 1:7 (note) and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

There is a use of philadelphia in the Apocryphal book of 2 Maccabees...

And Onias spoke, saying, “This is a man who loves the brethren and prays much for the people and the holy city, Jeremiah, the prophet of God.”

Josephus (Ant 4.26) has this use of philadelphia...

 nor have I taken and given this office to my brother, because he excelled others in riches, for thou exceedest us both in the greatness of thy wealth; nor indeed because he was of an eminent family, for God, by giving us the same common ancestor, has made our families equal: nay, nor was it out of brotherly affection, which another might yet have justly done;

You have no need for anyone to write to you - See above for the numerous instances of Paul's discussion of love in regard to the Thessalonians. The emphasis now is on what God had taught them. Isaiah has a parallel passage writing...

And all your sons will be taught of the LORD; And the well-being of your sons will be great. (Isaiah 54:13, cp John 6:45, Jer 31:33-34, Micah 4:2, 1John 2:27) (Comment:  The specific promise is to Israel to be fulfilled in the Millennium and yet the principle is eternal and applicable to all believers in this present age.)

John Calvin eloquently explained why explicit instructions were not needed writing that...

Love was engraved on their hearts, so that there was no need of letters written on paper.

Need (5532)(chreia from chraomai = to use, make use of or chreos = a debt) means a necessity, what is needed or the occasion of need.

Chreia refers in (Acts 6:3) to the needful matter, duty or task.

In Ephesians chreia refers to an abstract need, the thing that is needed...

Ephesians 4:29 (note) Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Chreia can also convey the idea of something which is lacking and therefore is needed as in ...

Mark 2:25 And He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and became hungry, he and his companions:

Acts 2:45 and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

Romans 12:13 (note) contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

Philippians 4:19 (note) And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Chreia can refer to that which should happen or be supplied because there is a need...

Matthew 3:14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?"

Chreia is used 49 times in the NT (Matt. 3:14; 6:8; 9:12; 14:16; 21:3; 26:65; Mk. 2:17, 25; 11:3; 14:63; Lk. 5:31; 9:11; 10:42; 15:7; 19:31, 34; 22:71; Jn. 2:25; 13:10, 29; 16:30; Acts 2:45; 4:35; 6:3; 20:34; 28:10; Rom. 12:13; 1 Co. 12:21, 24; Eph. 4:28f; Phil. 2:25; 4:16, 19; 1 Thess. 1:8; 4:9, 12; 5:1; Tit. 3:14; Heb. 5:12; 7:11; 10:36; 1 Jn. 2:27; 3:17; Rev. 3:17; 21:23; 22:5) and is translated necessary (1), need (40), needed (1), needs (6), task (1).

Chreia is used 4 times in this letter...

1 Thessalonians 1:8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.

1Thessalonians 4:9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

1Thessalonians 4:12 so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.

1Thessalonians 5:1 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you.

You yourselves - is emphatic. The readers themselves are taught by God.

Taught by God to love one another - God's call to His own has always emphasized unselfish love, Moses recording...

 you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD. (Lev 19:18)

The concept of God teaching His children is found also in the NT John writing...

And as for you, the anointing (the Spirit) which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. (1John 2:27) (Comment: Do not misinterpret and misapply this passage. John is not saying we will never have need for human teachers. The present context refers to false teachers {1John 2:26}, so take care not to interpret this verse out of that context. In fact Scripture teaches that the church has a continual need to be edified by Spirit anointed and Spirit filled human teachers as seen in Paul's instructions to the church at Ephesus - see notes Ephesians 4:11; 12, 13; 14)

David prayed to be taught by God...

Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, for Thou art the God of my salvation. For Thee I wait all the day. (Psalm 25:5) (Spurgeon's Note)

Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. Let Thy good Spirit lead me on level ground. (Psalm 143:10) (Spurgeon comments "How childlike -- "teach me"! How practical "Teach me to do"! How undivided in obedience -- "to do thy will"! To do all of it, let it be what it may. This is the best form of instruction, for its source is God, its object is holiness, its spirit is that of hearty loyalty. The man is hidden in the Lord, and spends his peaceful life in learning the will of his Preserver. A heart cannot long be desolate which is thus docile." Spurgeon's Full Note)

The psalmist declared...

O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth; and I still declare Thy wondrous deeds. (Psalm 71:17) (Spurgeon's Note)

In the coming 1000 year earthly reign of the Messiah (see Millennium) the world will seek to be taught of God, Isaiah prophetically recording that...

(in the last days when the mountain of the house of the LORD is established as the chief of the mountains) many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD (in Jerusalem, the Holy City), to the house of the God of Jacob (the Millennial Temple described by Ezekiel beginning in Ezekiel 40) that He may teach us concerning His ways, and that we may walk in His paths. (Note that God's teaching is never to be just "head knowledge" but is to be transmitted into "show leather" obedience as we behave according to what we believe)" For the law will go forth from Zion, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:3, cp Micah 4:2 which speaks of the same time and same truth)

Taught by God (2312)(theodidaktos from Theós = God + didasko = to teach from dáo = to learn) (only Scriptural use of this Greek word) means divinely instructed or taught of God and conveys the sense that the Thessalonians should innately know that their Father expects them to love all of His children.

The main verb for taught (didasko) means to provide instruction in a formal or informal setting imparting positive truth. To be taught is the responsibility of every believer (see note Colossians 3:16), is part of the Great Commission (Mt 28:20) and is especially the responsibility of church leaders. “An overseer, then, must be… able to teach” (1Ti 3:2). Heresy flourishes where sound Christian teaching lags. The idea inherent in didasko is to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them by word of mouth (tutor, direct, advise, put in mind). In the NT almost without exception didasko refers to the teaching of groups. Didasko also conveys the sense that one is to teach a student in such a way that the will of the student becomes conformed to the teaching taught. So the teacher teaches in such a way that as the student is taught, he now changes his mind saying in essence ''I won't do it this way, but I will do it this way because I've learned this sound doctrine or this true teaching.'' Doctrine determines direction of our behavior, conformed to world or to God? Teaching that Scripture finds significant is not that which provides information alone but also the teaching that creates disciples who live in responsive obedience to God's will.

Taught by God is the same truth that Jesus had reminded His hearers of as He quoted from Isaiah 54:13...

It is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.

Only those taught by God and controlled by His Spirit (see note Ephesians 5:18; Gal 5:22-23) keep on loving one another, loving neighbours and even loving enemies as Jesus taught

Matthew 5:44 (note) But I say to you, love (agapao - present imperative = agape love is to be the habit of your life) your enemies, and pray (agapao - present imperative = make prayer for your enemies your habitual practice) for those who persecute you

How are believers taught by God? The Holy Spirit teaches believers.

But the Helper (Parakletos - one called alongside to help, to  protect, to comfort, to counsel. A legal term for an advocate or defender), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. (John 14:26)

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide (literally, lead one on the way or show the way by giving guidance, instruction, assistance) you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose (announce) to you what is to come. (John 16:13)

Who has the Holy Spirit? All believers have the Holy Spirit from the moment of their new birth.

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. (see note Romans 8:9)

The apostle John links the presence of the Holy Spirit with the truth that believers are taught by God writing...

But you have an anointing (referring to the Holy Spirit given to all believers, cf 1Cor 12:13) from the Holy One (the Lord Jesus Christ) , and you all know (beyond a shadow of a doubt, intuitively, the result of God's giving us that inner knowledge)...And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides (present tense = continually) in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. (see note 1John 2:20,27)

Not only is the Spirit our Helper and Teacher, He is also our Supplier and  and the One Who enables us to demonstrate divine (agape) love...

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be (command to continually to yield and allow yourself to be) filled with (controlled by) the Spirit (See note Ephesians 5:18)

But I say, walk (command to continually conduct your life) by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16) (Comment: Controlled by the Spirit we are empowered to live according to His guidance and we bring forth divine fruit of love).

But the fruit of the Spirit is love (agape), joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (Galatians 5:22)

But you say I don't even like that brother or sister, much less love them with divine love. How does God help this quagmire? Paul tells us in Philippians to...

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out ( = command to continually do this but you don't have to do it by yourself for the next verse explains that the indwelling Spirit of God gives us the "want to" and the spiritual energy to do what we simply cannot do in our natural state) your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God Who is at work (present tense = continually energizing and creating in you the power and desire)  in you, both to will (present tense = continually )  and to work (present tense = continually)  for His good pleasure. (See notes Philippians 2:12; 13) (Comment: So what do we have to do as believers? We have to humble ourselves before the Lord for He is opposed to the proud. We have to boast in our weakness and inability to love for His power is perfected in our weakness and to the humble He gives grace - the supernatural ability to perform what He has commanded us to do, to love as He loves).

Paul explains that we have the very source of divine love indwelling us from the moment we are justified by faith writing that..

hope does not disappoint (bring disillusion, failure of expectation), because the love of God has been poured out (figuratively given in abundance, generously provided and in the perfect tense = poured out when we were justified by faith with continuance of it's presence and effect) within our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who was given to us.

To love (25) (agapao - see related study of noun agape) means to love unconditionally and sacrificially as God Himself loves sinful men (John 3:16), the way He loves the Son (John 3:35, 15:9, 17:23, 24).

Note that agapao is a verb and by its verbal nature calls for action. This quality of love is not an emotion but is an action initiated by a volitional choice.

MacArthur writes that agapao...

expresses the purest, noblest form of love, which is volitionally driven, not motivated by superficial appearance, emotional attraction, or sentimental relationship. (MacArthur, John: 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Moody Press or Logos)

Wuest writes that

Agapao  speaks of a love which is awakened by a sense of value in an object which causes one to prize it. It springs from an apprehension of the preciousness of an object. It is a love of esteem and approbation. The quality of this love is determined by the character of the one who loves, and that of the object loved. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos)

Vine writes that...

Love can be known only from the actions it prompts. God’s love is seen in the gift of His Son, 1 John 4:9, 10. But obviously this is not the love of complacency, or affection, that is, it was not drawn out by any excellency in its objects, Romans 5:8. It was an exercise of the divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself, cp. Deuteronomy 7:7, 8. Love had its perfect expression among men in the Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:14; Ephesians 2:4; 3:19; 5:2; Christian love is the fruit of His Spirit in the Christian, Galatians 5:22. Christian love has God for its primary object, and expresses itself first of all in implicit obedience to His commandments, John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10; 1 John 2:5; 5:3; 2 John 6. Self-will, that is, self-pleasing, is the negation of love to God. (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson or Logos)

Agapao in the perfect tense is translated "beloved" some 7 times (eg two times in Romans 9:25, Ephesians 1:6 of the Son, Colossians 3:12, 1Thessalonians 1:2, 2Thes 2:13 of believers, Revelation 20:9 of the "beloved city", Jerusalem.)

Agapao is love that is...

...commanded of believers (John 13:34, 15:12, 15:17)

...empowered by the Holy Spirit in the heart of the surrendered saint (Galatians 5:13-16, 22)