The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Thessalonians — Section 92

Vers. 9-12.-The (Jhristian cirde and accounting by them that are without. I. BROTHERLY LOVE. 1. The disposition. "But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you : for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." There is a rhetorical touch here which is called "passing-over "-not saying what might he said wit.h a view to gaining over. For while it is said," Ye have no need," the design is more effectually to impress on the Thessalonians the necessity of brotherly love. While they are graciously commended, they are at the same time shown how proper it is for them t-0 love the brethren as being taught of God. Their education in this important department was a reality. To be taught of God does not exclude human help, the help of otber11, or, as contrasted with that, self-help. Only human help does not avail, unless it is taken up and made effectual by the Holy Spirit. Teachings and experiences must be inwardly interpreted, and made luminous tous. We must therefore stand in an imme- diate relation to God as his disciples who are taught of him; who, according to another representation, have an anointing from the Holy One to know all things. It is fitting that he who bas made our minds, and retains sovereign power over them, should teach us. It is also fitting that he should teach according to his own nature. As Love, he has created us, sustains us in being, earnestly desires our well-being, places us under numberless obligations to him. Shall he not then school us to love? As under the Divine teaching we form a brotherhood or Christian disciples. And this is the only fellowship of minds that is right to the core, that will stand all the tests, that will stand out in eternal permanence. In the brethren there is something of Christian excellence on which to rest our love, and we are to recognize and value and delight in that, even under an uninviting exterior, and, in the name of Christ, to desire its increase and perfectness. 2. Its manifesf,a,twn. " For indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia." An argument has been founded on this statement against t,he early date of the Epistle; but it tells the other way. For the love is not said to be manifested toward all the brethren, but" toward all the brethren which are in all Mace- donia;" i.e. to say, its manifestation was yet limited to the Christian circle nearest to the Thessalonians. We are to think of Philippi, a hundred miles distant on the one 6ide, and Ber<Ea, twenty miles on the other. To the Christians in these places they had found opportunities of showing their Christian love. It was just such an outgoing as might commendably be connected with the short oeriod of a few months. The word "do" iB emphatic after "taught." The lesson ts that Divine teachin\ ii to be followed by suitable practice. Love must bH allowed free outlet. "Love, 1111:rs l:larrow, "iB a bu~.v and active, a vigorous and sprightful, a courageous and industrious di1:1position of 110ul ~hich will prompt a man, and pu1:1h him forward to undertake or andergo anythllli;-to endure pains, to encounter dangers, to surmount difficulties for the good of its object. Such is true charity; is will dispose us to love, aa St. John ea. iv. 1-18.] 'l'HE FIRST EPIS'fLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. \Jl