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1 Thessalonians 4 · a question people ask

"For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another" (4:9). How were they taught by God?

In the text

The letter doesn't say how. It says, "But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another," (4:9), and goes on, "for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia." (4:10). It doesn't say when they were taught, or by what means. These notes don't say either. The word behind taught by God is studied below (tap taught by God).

The verses

“But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more;”
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thessalonians 4: Taught by God to love one another

1 Thessalonians 4 tells its readers they need no letter about brotherly love, "For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another" (4:9), and still asks them to "abound more and more" (4:10). And the verb behind exhort there is the verb of "Therefore comfort one another with these words." (4:18).

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions