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NASB | 1 Thessalonians 4:9 ¶ Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Thessalonians 4:9 ¶ Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need for anyone to write you, for you have been [personally] taught by God to love one another [that is, to have an unselfish concern for others and to do things for their benefit]. [Lev 19:18; John 13:34] |
Subject: Taught of God? Walk in God? |
Bible Note: Hello, Doc. I did understand the reference to the Greek word and to its uniqueness. I did wonder whether the uniqueness of the word suggested something significant, such as a unique way in which the Thessalonians were being taught of God, or by God. I wondered why God might have communicated to them in a unique way, or whether love for our fellow-man is taught in a unique way. I do not know Greek, or Hebrew, for that matter, and I have resisted the idea that individual words have meanings not decipherable from the context in which they appear or in the context of the rest of Scripture. Therefore, I did not know what to make of the idea that this word was found in that passage and nowhere else in Scripture. For that reason, I turned from further thought on that to see where the idea, if not the particular word, was found again in Scripture. I thought of the possibility that God teaches us to love one another without the use of scripture. I know that he uses nature to teach us about his power (Romans 1) and his glory (Psalm 19). Through nature we understand that if a man should have long hair, it is a shame unto him, but when a woman has long hair, it is beautifies her (1 Corinthians 11). But is there evidence in Scripture that God teaches philadelphia through nature? He seems to do it through conscience, for “when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness” (Romans 2). But that takes us back to the language thing, and though I have heard of it, I would not be sure of the essential difference between philadelphia and agapao. Paul seems to be saying, “As touching brotherly (philio) love you need not that I write unto you: for you yourselves are taught (by) of God to (agape) love one another“. And I am thinking that, in this case, “by” and “of” are the same thing, and “philio” and “agape” are essentially the same thing. Likewise, we have shown that there are many scriptures conveying the fact that God teaches us. Is there significance to the fact that in this one instance the phrasing is that we are God-taught? I really do not think so. Someone has noted that the word “Eternity” occurs only once in the KJV and “Trinity” does not occur at all. Yet it is clear that the Bible deals with both. I think the exact words being used are an artifact, and do not change the facts. I trust this does not raise any issues about the nature of inspiration. I do believe God told the writers what words to use. The point is that he is not necessarily saying something different because he uses a different word. God teaches us to love. That is one of the main things that we are God-taught. I hope it is true that love really finds its full expression among us, believers. |