1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

In these words the apostle mentions the great duties, I. Of brotherly love. This he exhorts them to increase in yet more and more. The exhortation is introduced, not with a compliment, but with a commendation, because they were remarkable in the exercise of it, which made it less needful that he should write to them about it, 1 Thess. 4:9. Thus by his good opinion of them he insinuated himself into their affections, and so made way for his exhortation to them. Note, We should take notice of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

4:9-12 You do not need that I should write to you about brotherly love; for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another. Indeed you do this very thing to all the brothers who are in the whole of Macedonia. But we do urge you, brothers, to go on to more and more, and to aim at keeping calm and minding your own business. We urge you to work with your hands, as we instructed you to do, so that your behaviour may seem to those outside the Church a lovely thing and so that you may need no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:9

But as touching brotherly love ,.... 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:10

And indeed ye do it towards all the brethren ,.... Whether high or low, rich or poor, bond or free, greater or lesser believers, and whether related in the bonds of nature or not; they exercised this grace of love without respect of persons, to all, and not only to all the brethren in the particular community at Thessalonica, but which are in all Macedonia ; throughout the whole country, particularly at Philippi and Berea, and other places: but we beseech you, brethren . The... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:11

And that ye study to be quiet ,.... To live peaceably in their own families, and to give no disturbance to other families, by talebearing, whispering, and backbiting; to behave with quietness in the neighbourhood, town, or city, they dwell in, and to seek the peace thereof; and to lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty, in the commonwealth, and under the government to which they belong; and not to create and encourage factions, divisions, animosities, and contentions,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 4:12

That ye may walk honestly ,.... Decently, in good credit and reputation, providing things honest in the sight of all men, for themselves and families, and honestly paying every man his own; on which account it became them to mind their own business, and work at their trades; otherwise their walk and conversation would be scandalous, and not honest and honourable: toward them that are without : the men of the world, who were without the church; see 1 Corinthians 5:12 profane sinners,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 4:9

Touching brotherly love - They were remarkable for this; and though the apostle appears to have had this as a topic on which he intended to write to them, yet, from the account which he received of their prosperous state by Timothy, he finds that it is unnecessary to spend any time in inculcating a doctrine which they fully understood and practised. See 1 Thessalonians 3:6 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 4:10

Ye do it toward all the brethren - Ye not only love one another at Thessalonica, but ye love all the brethren in Macedonia; ye consider them all as children of the same Father; and that all the Churches which are in Christ make one great and glorious body, of which he is the head. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 4:11

That ye study to be quiet - Though in general the Church at Thessalonica was pure and exemplary, yet there seem to have been some idle, tattling people among them, who disturbed the peace of others; persons who, under the pretense of religion, gadded about from house to house; did not work, but were burdensome to others; and were continually meddling with other people's business, making parties, and procuring their bread by religious gossiping. To these the apostle gives those directions... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 4:12

That ye may walk honestly - Ευσχημονως· Becomingly, decently, respectably; as is consistent with the purity, holiness, gravity, and usefulness of your Christian calling. Them that are without - The unconverted Gentiles and Jews. See this expression explained at large on Colossians 4:5 . That ye may have lack of nothing - That ye may be able to get your bread by honest labor, which God will ever bless; and be chargeable to no man. He that is dependent on another is necessarily in... read more

Group of Brands