1 Thessalonians 4:9

“But as touching brotherly love, etc.] Another branch of sanctification; which is distinct from love to God and Christ, though it always accompanies it, and from love to all mankind; and is what is peculiar to brethren in a spiritual relation, and ought to be universal, fervent, and sincere, and as Christ has loved them: concerning which the following things are said, ye need not that I write unto you. The Vulgate Latin version reads, “we have no need to write unto you”; and so some copies. It seems that it was needful to write unto them about other things, as to refresh their memories with the instructions they had given them, when with them, how they should walk and please God; and to put…”

“brotherly love, &c.--referring here to acts of brotherly kindness in relieving distressed brethren. Some oldest manuscripts support English Version reading, "YE have"; others, and those the weightiest, read, "WE have." We need not write, as ye yourselves are taught, and that by God: namely, in the heart by the Holy Spirit (Joh 6:45; Heb 8:11; Jo1 2:20, Jo1 2:27). to love--Greek, "with a view to," or "to the end of your loving one another." Divine teachings have their confluence in love [BENGEL].”

“But as touching brotherly love - The “peculiar charity and affection which one Christian owes to another.” Doddridge; see the notes on John 13:34. Ye need not that I write unto you - That is, “as I have done on the other points.” They were so taught of God in regard to this duty, that they did not need any special instruction. For ye yourselves are taught of God - The word here rendered “taught of God” - θεοδίδακτοί theodidaktoi - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It is correctly translated, and must refer here to some direct teaching of God on their own hearts, for Paul speaks of their being so taught by him as to need no special precepts in the case. He probably refers to that…”

“We need not write - Largely. For ye are taught of God - By his Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 4:11”

“4:9–5:11 Paul responds to a series of questions from the Thessalonians (cp. 1 Cor 7:1) concerning love for one another (1 Thes 4:9-12), the destiny of deceased believers (4:13-18), and when the day of the Lord would come (5:1-11). 4:9 God himself has taught you to love one another (cp. Isa 54:13) through the teaching of Jesus (John 13:34-35), the cross (Rom 5:8; Eph 5:1-2), and the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5; Gal 5:22).”

“touching: Lev 19:8; Psa 133:1; Joh 13:34, Joh 13:35, Joh 15:12-17; Act 4:32; Rom 12:10; Eph 5:1, Eph 5:2; Heb 13:1; Pe1 3:8; Pe2 1:7; Jo1 2:10, Jo1 3:11, Jo1 3:14-19, Jo1 3:23; Jo1 4:7-16 ye need: Th1 5:1; Jer 31:34; Heb 8:10, Heb 8:11; Jo1 2:20-27 for ye: Isa 51:13; Mat 22:39; Joh 6:44, Joh 6:45, Joh 13:34, Joh 14:26, Joh 15:12, Joh 15:17; Eph 5:2; Heb 10:16; Pe1 4:8; Jo1 3:11, Jo1 3:23, Jo1 4:21, Jo1 5:1 1 Thessalonians 4:10”