Paul the
apostle gave the Thessalonians instructions concerning
“sanctification”, “abstaining from fornication”,
how to “possess” their vessels, not “defrauding”
their “brother”, being called “unto holiness”
and what it really means to “despise” their “brother”.
In chapter four and verse nine of his letter, Paul shares with them
concerning “brotherly love” where we read:
But as
touching brotherly love you need not that I write unto you:
for you
yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
The
verse begins, “But as touching
brotherly love you need not that I write unto you:” Paul
began with the word, “But” which
means “moreover, and, in addition”
“as touching”
or “about, on account of, because of and near” “brotherly
love”
which refers to “love of brothers, sisters or Christian brethren”
“you need not”
or “do not have, hold, own or possess” “that
I write unto you”
which is the Greek word “graphō”
and
means
“to write, to delineate letters on a tablet, parchment, paper or
other material”. Paul began his words with the presumptive thought
that “brotherly love”
was already known to be very important among the Thessalonian church
members.
The
verse goes on to say, “for you
yourselves are taught of God to love one another.” Paul
went on to share why the Thessalonians already knew the importance of
“brotherly love”
as he wrote, “for you yourselves”
which refers
to “the Thessalonian church members” “are
taught of God”
which means “divinely instructed by the Godhead bodily and trinity
which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy
Spirit” “to love”
which is the Greek word “agapaō”
and means “to welcome, entertain, be fond of, love dearly, be well
pleased with, and contented at or with a thing” “one
another”
which refers to “each of the Thessalonian church members”. Paul
employed the Highest instructor when he referred to the commandment
to “love one another”,
and he knew the Thessalonians were well aware of the instruction
given by God.
When
we think through these words of Paul, we begin to understand his
overall care not only for the Thessalonians, but also for their care
for one another. Too often people have a love for God which is the
first commandment and do not have a love for one another which is the
second. Both of these laws were shared by Jesus who said, “on
these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets”.
The Thessalonian church members were to have “brotherly
love” toward one another, and
we are commanded to have nonetheless as well. Perhaps our prayer
should be to have the Holy Spirit of God remind us when we are not
loving others in this manner, and may He help us to love others in
the same way He does.
Next
time Paul tells the Thessalonians to “increase more and
more” in their love toward
others, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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