Tag: love

1 Thessalonians 4:9 – The Christian Birthmark

Posted on by Will

But concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

Truth to Learn

Brotherly love is the birthmark of a true Christian.

 

Behind the Words

The words “brotherly love” are from the Greek word philadelphia, which is made up of philos, meaning “a friend” and adelphos, meaning “a brother.” This word refers to the kind of personal fondness that good friends have for one another.

The words “you have” is from the verb echo, meaning “to have” or “to hold.” In some translations this is written as “we have”; however, the best Greek manuscripts have it written in the second person plural form, meaning “you (plural) have.”

“Need” is translated from cheira, which properly means “employment.” By implication, however, it refers to “an occasion, a requirement, or a necessity.”

“Theodidactos” is the Greek adjective translated “taught by God.” This word is made up of theos, meaning “God, or some deity” and a form of the verb didaskō, meaning “to teach.” Thus theodidactos literally means “taught by God.”

The words “to love” are from the infinitive form of agapē, which refers to “a self-sacrificing God-love.”

“One another” is from the Greek plural reciprocal pronoun allēlous, meaning “each other” or “one another.”

 

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul spent the first three chapters of this letter to the Thessalonians assuring them of his love and concern for them. In this fourth chapter he began his doctrinal teaching for the church. Through the first eight verses of this chapter, he taught about avoiding sexual immorality, specifically fornication and, instead, living a life of holiness.

Now he switches his teaching to how we should live our lives both within and outside the church. Within the church we should all exhibit a genuine fondness for our brothers and sisters in the faith. He starts off with “you have no need that anyone should write to you concerning brotherly love.” In other words, the Christians in Thessalonica had already learned and were demonstrating that they had a genuine love for the brothers.

It is also interesting that Paul tells them that they learned this love for each other, not from some preacher of other people in the church, but they learned it from God. So how does God teach us to love one another? God the Father taught us how to love each other when He gave His only begotten Son to die for us. God the Son taught us to love one another when he said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another” (John 13:34). And the Holy Spirit taught us to love one another when He poured out the love of God in our hearts (Romans 5:5) when we trusted in Christ as our personal Savior. This love for one another is the defining characteristic of a Christian, a mark of the new birth of true Christians (1 John 4:7).

 

Application

The best way we can demonstrate the genuiness of our new birth is to exhibit the love we have for others in the Church. Can people see how real your faith is in the way you treat other Christians?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:23 – Peace, Love, and Faith

Posted on by Will

Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Truth to Learn

You can experience peace and the love of God through faith.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “peace” is eirēnē. It can refer to an absence of war and dissention, that is, harmony among individuals. However, it can also refer to peace of mind and mental tranquility. This seems to be Paul’s intent here.

The word “love” in this verse is our old friend agapē, referring to a self-sacrificing love demonstrated by our actions.

“Faith” is translated from the Greek word pistis. It is derived from the verb peithō, meaning “to persuade” or “to win over.” Therefore, faith refers to “a firm persuasion, conviction, or belief in a truth.”

 

Meaning Explained

Having finished his teaching and having informed his readers that Tychicus would relay to them all that has been transpiring with Paul and his associates; the Apostle now makes his final closing benediction. A benediction (from the Latin bene, meaning “well” and dicere, meaning “to speak”) was a common form of closing a letter like this. The practice may have been derived from the ritual benediction that the Jewish High Priest proclaimed:

"The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD cause His face to shine on you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His face to you, and give you peace."  (Numbers 6:24-26)

This particular benediction is still recited today at the end of many protestant church services. Paul’s use of the benediction, however, is not simply a ritualistic blessing. If you look carefully at this verse you will see that there are three things that Paul offers for his readers: peace, love, and faith. These are actually three themes that occur throughout this letter.

Peace (Ephesians 1:2; 2:14, 15; 2:17; 4:3; and 6:15) comes from God the Father. It is delivered in the person of Jesus Christ, who established peace between Old Testament believers and New Testament believers. Our peace with God was purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ and it is the bond that unites all Christians. Finally, as part of our battle armor, peace with God is that which allows us to stand firm against all the attacks of our enemy.

Love (Ephesians 1:15; 4:2, 4:15-16; 5:25, 5:28, and 5:33) is the central characteristic of the Christian faith. It is what allows us to bear one another’s burdens and to gently encourage each other so that we can work together to build up the body of Christ. It is that which a husband demonstrates to his wife, portraying a picture of God’s love for us.

Faith (Ephesians 6:16; 1:15; 2:8; 3:12, 3:17; 4:5, and 4:13) is the essence of Christianity. Without it we cannot please God. Through faith we can quench the fiery arrows slung against us by our spiritual enemy. It gives us boldness as we approach our Almighty God in prayer. And, because of this faith, Christ lives in our hearts and unites us as His body and His bride-to-be.

 

Application

You, too, can experience the love of God and know the peace that exceeds all understanding. However, these only come through faith in the blood of Christ. You can’t earn them, you can only accept them as part of God’s gift of salvation.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 5:33 – Back to the Point

Posted on by Will

Moreover, each individual among you also is to love his own wife as himself, and the wife that she honors her husband.

Truth to Learn

The responsibilities of husband and wife are not optional.

 

Behind the Words

“Moreover” is a translation of the Greek adverb plēn, which is a contracted form of pleion, meaning “more.” This word can have a number of nuances such as, “much more,” “rather,” “but yet,” “nevertheless,” or “moreover.” Paul’s use of this word here indicates that he is bringing his reader back to the primary objective of his teaching.

The expression “each individual among you” is an unusual idiomatic expression in the Greek text. “Each individual” is from an expression that literally means “you one by one” (focusing on the individual being spoken to) and is followed by hekastos, which further individualizes the expression.

The verb “love” is once again from the Greek verb agapē. It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command.

“Honors” is translated from the word phobeō, which is often translated as “fear.” However, this word is also used as a metaphor for “respect,” “honor,” or “awe.” The form of this verb (subjunctive coupled with hina) indicates the same emphasis as an imperative. In other words, this is a command for women to honor their husbands.

 

Meaning Explained

The opening word of this verse indicates that Paul is aware that he has strayed off topic a little bit and is bringing his reader back to the topic at hand, how a man is to behave toward his wife. The unusual expression that he used indicates that he wants to bring his reader’s attention back from a focus on Christ and the church, to a focus on individual responsibility. And, his use of the command form of agapē, just as he did back in verse twenty-five, indicates that this is not an option for men.

The main focus of this chapter has been on how Christians are to behave with respect to others in the church. For the past eleven verses, however, he has focused on how a man and woman are to behave toward each other in a marriage relationship. He told women that they are to “under-rank” themselves with respect to their husbands and he told men that they are to demonstrate a self-sacrificing love toward their wives. After taking a few verses to teach us the mystery regarding Christ and the church (a marriage relationship with responsibilities exactly like husband and wife), he now reiterates his teaching for husbands and wives.

Paul’s use of phobeō in this verse could be misinterpreted unless we recognize that to Greeks this word had two meanings. In an emotional sense, it refers to being fearful, but in a moral sense (as it is used here), it refers to recognition of authority and power (reverence, honor, or respect).

 

Application

Men, quit making excuses and demonstrate to your wife the kind of love that Christ has for you. Women, forget your excuses too, and submit to your husband as unto the Lord. God will honor both of you for your faithful obedience.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 5:28 – Win-win Love

Posted on by Will

So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his own wife loves himself.

Truth to Learn

As we love ourselves, so a husband should love his wife.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “ought” is opheilō, which means “to be indebted” or “to be obligated.”

All three occurrences of “love” in this verse are forms of agape, which refers to “self-sacrificing actions focused on the good of the loved one.”

“Bodies” is from the Greek noun soma, which can refer to “our physical body” or metaphorically to “any organized whole made up of parts or members.”

 

Meaning Explained

After a couple of verses of describing the love that Christ has for His bride (His body), Paul now returns to the subject of men loving their wives. He tells us that husbands are obligated to love their own wives as their own body. There are several nuances to this teaching that are all equally true.

Paul has used the example of Christ’s love for His bride, the church. However, the church is also referred to as the “body of Christ.” Thus, all that is described here about the love that Christ has for His bride is also love that He has for His body. In the same manner, the husband should demonstrate love for his wife as his own body, which takes us to the second nuance of this teaching. As Paul will tell us a few verses from here, quoting from the Old Testament:

For this reason, a man shall leave father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)

Since the marriage union makes a man and a woman one flesh (one body), then a man really is showing love to his own body when he demonstrates love to his wife.

The third nuance of this verse, and the one I believe Paul is focusing on here, is based on the fact that each one of us loves his or her own self. It is a part of who and what we are. When we get hungry, we feed ourselves. When we get thirsty, we take a drink. When we get cold, we turn up the heat or put on warmer clothing. We do all these things, and many more, without thinking about them. In fact, we love our bodies and the life that God has given us so much that we go into a natural panic and frenzy when that life is threatened.

In taking a swimming and lifesaving class many years ago, I learned that when someone is on the verge of drowning, they panic and flail their arms and legs about because they so desperately want to preserve their lives.

Paul’s point here is that we love our own body and this life so much that we will do anything to preserve our own health, safety, and comfort. Husbands, that’s the kind of love you should have for your wife. You should be so focused on her health, safety, and comfort that you take care of her needs without having to even think about them.

 

Application

This is one of those areas where, by being obedient to God, we make it easier for someone else to be obedient to God. Men if you consistently demonstrate real love for your wife, she will actually want to submit herself to you. Your obedience to God makes hers so much easier. That’s called win-win!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 5:25 – Sacrificial Love

Posted on by Will

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

Truth to Learn

Husbands are to sacrifice for their wives.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “love” is agapaō, which refers to “good will” or “benevolence,” that is, acts of goodness toward someone else. There is another verb translated “love” in the New Testament. It is phileō, referring to a “brotherly love” or “fondness” as expressed between good friends. It is based on feelings. Agapaō, on the other hand, indicates a love in action, not just feelings or emotion. It implies action which is directed toward the benefit of the beloved, even at the expense of personal sacrifice on the part of the loving one. Therefore, agapaō is often referred to as “a self-sacrificing love.” It is expressed in today’s verse in the imperative mood, indicating a command to husbands, not simply a suggestion.

“Gave up” is translated from paradidōmi, which is made up of para, meaning “to the side of” and didōmi, meaning “to give.” Thus, paradidōmi literally means “to give to the side of.” The picture is that of someone surrendering something to someone else. The word is expressed here in the aorist tense, indicative mood. This implies action that was performed at a point in time in the past (not a continuous action, but a single act). Jesus Christ expressed the purest form of agapē love when He gave Himself up to be crucified in our place.

“Her” is translated from the Greek pronoun autēs, which is singular and feminine. One reason for this is that in Greek the pronoun must agree in number and gender with the noun it refers to, and the Greek word for church (ekklēsia) is a singular, feminine noun. It is also significant, however, that Paul is equating the church with wives, which is also a feminine noun. Some translations use “it” in reference to the church, since the English word church is neuter and requires a neuter pronoun. However, in keeping with good Greek grammar and to preserve the comparison that Paul is making between the church and wives, we have translated it as “her.”

 

Meaning Explained

Having established the order of authority within a marriage relationship and the responsibility of a wife, Paul now talks about the husband’s position in a marriage. Wherever authority is given, there is also responsibility. This is especially true here where the Apostle commands all husbands to love their wives. As we pointed out in Behind the Words, this love that a husband is to have for his wife is not just a feeling, it is action. Men are commanded to be more concerned about the wellbeing of their wives than their own wellbeing. They are to sacrifice themselves for their wives.

In the previous two verses, Paul gave women an example of submission, that of the church’s submission to Christ as the head of the church. He now uses this same relationship between Jesus Christ and His church as an example of how husbands are to love their wives. Jesus Christ loves the church so much that He offered himself on the cross. He literally sacrificed His own life for the good of the church. Men, this is the type of love that we are to demonstrate for our wives. Men, if you are abusing your wife, either physically or emotionally, you are not demonstrating agapē love, you are demonstrating selfishness, which is just the opposite!

It is interesting to note that women are never commanded to love their husbands with an agapē love. In Titus 2:4 we find that older women in the church are to teach younger women to love their husbands. However, the word translated “love” in that verse is not agapaō, but phileō, an affectionate love. Women are not commanded to sacrifice themselves for their husbands, but husbands ARE commanded to sacrifice themselves for their wives.

One of the things that Paul is telling us men is that if we demonstrate true self-sacrificing love for our wives, constantly doing those things which demonstrate care, protection, and goodness for her, she will want to place herself under our authority. Doing so will not be a burden to her, but a joy.

 

Application

Men, the next time you have an argument with your wife, remember that God commands you to sacrifice your own wellbeing for hers. Therefore, making reconciliation is up to you. Always have her best interests in mind, not your own. Love her like Christ loves us!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:15 – Lovely Body Building

Posted on by Will

but, speaking the truth in love, that we may grow up unto Him in all things, who is the head—Christ—

Truth to Learn

We need to be truthful and loving as we minister to our fellow Christians.

 

Behind the Words

“Speaking the truth” is translated from the verb alētheuō, which is derived from alēthēs, meaning “truth.” Thus, alētheuō means “to be true, not counterfeit.” The word “speaking” is not in the Greek text, so the opening part of this verse should probably be translated as “but, being true in love …”

The word translated “love” is agape which refers to “perfect, self-sacrificing love.”

“May grow up” is from auxanō, meaning “to grow” or “to increase.” This word implies growth as a result of an outside power acting through the element of life within. This is different than the growth implied by the verb prokoptō, which indicates growth as a result of personal effort and achievement.

The words “unto Him” are translated from eis auton. The word eis means “into” or “unto” implying movement from outside to inside or movement from a separated position to a united position. The word auton is the second person, singular pronoun (him). In Greek, word order is important and in the Greek text of this verse, the words eis auton immediately follow the verb auxanō. This implies that the emphasis of growth is to grow “unto Him” and that “in all things” is a secondary characteristic of this growth.

 

Meaning Explained

In verse eleven Paul described some of the spiritual gifts given by Christ (specifically, church leadership gifts). He told us that these gifted people were given so that we, church members, would be equipped to do the work of the ministry, building-up the body of Christ (the church). One purpose of our building each other up is to develop unity and a complete experiential knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Savior and our God. The other purpose is that we might be fully grown, mature Christians not misled by false doctrines and the persuasive words cleverly crafted to mislead us.

In contrast to the deceitful methods used by those who teach doctrinal error, we are to be truthful and we are to do so in love, considering the good of others to be more important than our own. I am reminded of a time in my own ministry when I didn’t do this. I was worship leader in a church leading choir rehearsal. The accompanist, an accomplished pianist, did not follow my lead regarding the tempo of the songs we were singing. After rehearsal I took her aside and explained to her how her lack of following my lead was making it difficult on all of us. My intent was to improve the way we all worked together, but my delivery was not done in love. The result was not unity but further dissention.

Everything we do within the church should be done in such a manner that it encourages and builds-up others so that we all might become more Christ-like.

 

Application

Are you using your spiritual gifts in your church? If not, you are being disobedient to our Lord. If you are, are you doing everything with the goal of making others more Christ-like and are you doing it in a Christ-like manner?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 2:4 – Abundant Mercy

Posted on by Will

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

Truth to Learn

Because of God’s mercy we don’t get what we deserve. It’s not fair, it’s mercy!

 

Behind the Words

The word “rich” is translated from plousios, which is the condition of having ploutos, meaning “wealth or riches, in money or possession.” Figuratively, it means “to have an abundance of something.”

“Mercy” is from the Greek noun eleos. This word refers to “sorrow over the misfortune of others, which disposes a person to overlook personal offenses and to treat an offender better than he or she deserves.” It is sometimes translated as “compassion.”

“Because of” is a translation of the Greek preposition dia, which means “through, either positionally or instrumentally.” In the current verse it means that God’s mercy is a result of His love.

The adjective “great” is from polus, meaning “much or many.” This is not a measure of size. That would be the Greek word megas. Polus is a measure of quantity or magnitude.

The words “love” and “loved” are from the same root, agapē. This word refers to a kind of love in which the lover is focused on that which will do the most good for the loved one. It is a self-sacrificing love which places the good of the loved one above the good of self.

 

Meaning Explained

In the past few verses the Apostle Paul has been describing how we were dead in sin before we were saved. Our manner of life was controlled by Satan and his world system. We followed the lusts of our flesh and we were deserving of the full weight of God’s wrath.

Here he goes on to describe how all that was changed. The instrument of our change, freedom from the bondage of sin, was God, Himself. We know how rich our God is. In the fiftieth chapter of Psalms we are told that he owns the cattle on a thousand hills (in the Old Testament wealth was measured by how many animals you owned). Paul now tells us that His wealth is not just in material things; He also has an abundance of mercy, that is, He is rich in mercy. Because of this mercy, we Christians will not receive from God the wrath that we truly deserve. Instead, He will be compassionate and merciful toward us.

This mercy that God shows to us is an outgrowth of His love. This love and mercy are so great toward us that He forgives us of all our sins (past, present, and future). Throughout the Bible, forgiveness means more than removal of blame. It includes completely forgetting the offending act. In fact, in the book of Psalms, as a description of God’s forgiveness, we are told:

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:12)

We learn in Romans that the penalty for our sins is death. Instead of our death, however, God gave up the life of His Son, who did not deserve death, as the ransom to set us free from death. Because we Christians have accepted Christ’s blood as the payment for our sins, God has forgiven, forgotten, and completely cast away our sinful acts.

 

Application

The next time you complain to God that things are not fair, that you are not getting what you deserve, remember that what you deserve is death and the wrath of God. However, because of His mercy and His great love with which He loved us, He has forgiven our sins and has given us eternal life. Our response to His mercy should be gratitude demonstrated by a life of submission to Him. Let’s take a few minutes right now and thank God for His mercy. Let’s recommit to serving Him out of a heart of gratitude.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 2:8 – Love Others

Posted on by Will

If indeed you fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well;

Truth to Learn

The greatest thing we can do for others is to love them like we love ourselves.

Behind the Words

“Fulfill” is the word teleō, which means “to fulfill” or “to complete.” It is a stronger word than the normal tēreō, which means “to keep” or “to observe.” This verb is in the present tense, active voice, and indicative mood. This identifies the verb as one of current, continuous action. So, he is saying, “If you are really continually fulfilling …”

The Greek word translated “royal” is, basilikos which means “regal” or “preeminent.” This means that it is the highest or preeminent law, which should guide our every action.

Nomos is the Greek word translated “law.” This word refers to the entire body of the law which the Jews were to keep. James could have used the word entolē, meaning “commandment,” for it is a commandment that he quotes. His purpose for using nomos, however, is to say that the entire set of commandments is summed-up in one, and it is the preeminent one.

The word “love” is the Greek agapaō, the self-sacrificing love which Christ demonstrated for us on the cross.

Meaning Explained

So, what is this highest, or preeminent, law that James is talking about? According to Jesus, when asked by a lawyer what the greatest law is:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39)

James is quoting what Jesus called the second greatest commandment. So why does he say that it is the preeminent one? The two that Jesus cited have to do with our relationship with God the Father and our relationship with other people. If we look at the Ten Commandments we see that the first four apply to our relationship with God and the other six apply to our relationship with others. Therefore, when Jesus quoted the two greatest commandments he was summing-up all ten.

James, on the other hand, is only dealing with our relationship with others, so he quotes the preeminent commandment having to do with how we treat others. He says that if we live our lives by continually loving others with a self-sacrificing love, this is good. This is James’ summary of his discussion in the previous six verses on how we treat rich people and poor people differently based on their appearance. He will complete his summary in the next verse.

Application

Though we sometimes don’t want to admit it, we all love ourselves. We take care of ourselves, we feed ourselves when we get hungry, we buy things for ourselves, and we even choose a mate for ourselves based on what we like. We spend many waking hours thinking about things that will please us. When we do this, our focus is on ourselves. James says that our focus should be on others to the same degree.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 3:5 – Our Heavenly Guide

Posted on by Will

Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

Truth to Learn

As you travel through this life, follow God’s directions.

Behind the Words

“Direct” is translated from the Greek verb kateuthenō. This is a compound word made up of kata, used as an intensifier and euthunō, which means “to make straight.” This is a nautical term which means “to steer a ship in the proper direction.” It is expressed here in the optative mood, indicating action that may or may not be occurring currently, but that could occur.

The word translated “love” is agapē, which refers to the kind of self-sacrificing love that is part of God’s very nature.

“Patience” is from the word hupomone, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and a form of the verb menō, meaning “to remain” or “to stay in place.” It is a picture of a beast of burden remaining under a heavy load instead of shaking it off. It is often translated as “patience” or “steadfastness.”

Meaning Explained

Throughout this Bible study series we have been highlighting the fact that the Christian life is a journey. It’s a journey along the pathway of life, full of twists and turns, rocky places and smooth places, steep hills and peaceful valleys, firm ground and slippery, mucky ground. There are also many places where the pathway splits, presenting us multiple options for which way to go. Throughout our travels, the most comforting and reassuring fact is that we are not on this journey alone. We have a Guide who has walked these paths before, a Comforter and Encourager who knows where every path leads, who knows what pitfalls are coming long before we fall into them. The best thing of all is the fact that our guide wants us to walk with Him and follow His lead.

But – He is not a dictator who forces us to take the right path; He simply directs in a quiet manner and leaves it up to us to follow His lead or not. He even allows us to step off the pathway and “do our own thing,” even though He knows that our choices will sometimes bring us trouble and heartache. And, when we take a wrong turn, getting lost or mired in the mud, He gently teaches us the error of our way and welcomes us back with loving, open arms.

This is what Paul’s prayer in today’s verse is all about. He prays to our loving, heavenly Guide, asking Him to direct our hearts. But notice what the destination is. He doesn’t ask God to direct us to peace and safety. That will come at the end of our journey, to be sure. Instead, Paul prays that God will direct our hearts into the self-sacrificing love that is part of who God is. Notice that this destination is not one which is focused on us, but on others. As the Apostle John says in 1 John 4:7, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God.”

The other destination that Paul prays about is “the patience of Christ.” Sometimes God directs us onto difficult pathways so that we might grow and become more Christ-like. This is not a punishment, but a proving ground put in our path to teach us patience.

Application

Hang in there, my friend. When difficulties arise, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have done something wrong. Keep your eyes fixed on Him and grow into the image of Christ.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Thessalonians 4:9 – The Christian Birthmark

Posted on by Will

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;

Truth to Learn

Brotherly love is the birthmark of a true Christian.

Behind the Words

The words “brotherly love” are from the Greek word philadelphia, which is made up of philos, meaning “a friend” and adelphos, meaning “a brother.” This word refers to the kind of personal fondness that good friends have for one another.

The words “you have” is from the verb echo, meaning “to have” or “to hold.” In some translations this is written as “we have”; however, the best Greek manuscripts have it written in the second person plural form, meaning “you (plural) have.”

“Need” is translated from cheira, which properly means “employment.” By implication, however, it refers to “an occasion, a requirement, or a necessity.”

“Theodidactos” is the Greek adjective translated “taught by God.” This word is made up of theos, meaning “God, or some deity” and a form of the verb didaskō, meaning “to teach.” Thus theodidactos literally means “taught by God.”

The words “to love” are from the infinitive form of agapē, which refers to “a self-sacrificing God-love.”

“One another” is from the Greek plural reciprocal pronoun allēlous, meaning “each other” or “one another.”

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul spent the first three chapters of this letter to the Thessalonians assuring them of his love and concern for them. In this fourth chapter he began his doctrinal teaching for the church. Through the first eight verses of this chapter, he taught about avoiding sexual immorality, specifically fornication and, instead, living a life of holiness.

Now he switches his teaching to how we should live our lives both within and outside the church. Within the church we should all exhibit a genuine fondness for our brothers and sisters in the faith. He starts off with “you have no need that I should write to you concerning brotherly love.” In other words, the Christians in Thessalonica had already learned and were demonstrating that they had a genuine love for the brethren.

It is also interesting that Paul tells them that they learned this love for each other, not from some preacher of other people in the church, but they learned it from God. So how does God teach us to love one another? God the Father taught us how to love each other when He gave His only begotten Son to die for us. God the Son taught us to love one another when he said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another” (John 13:34). And the Holy Spirit taught us to love one another when He poured out the love of God in our hearts (Romans 5:5) when we trusted in Christ as our personal Savior. This love for one another is the defining characteristic of true Christians (1 John 4:7).

Application

The best way we can demonstrate the genuiness of our new birth is to exhibit the love we have for others in the Church. Can people see how real your faith is in the way you treat other Christians?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved