9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.
9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,
9 Regarding life together and getting along with each other, you don't need me to tell you what to do. You're God-taught in these matters. Just love one another!
9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
9 But we don't need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.
51 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,
51 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
51 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers,
51 I don't think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen.
51 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
51 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don't really need to write you.
(Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5)
It is needless or useless to ask about the particular time of Christ's coming. Christ did not reveal this to the apostles. There are times and seasons for us to work in, and these are our duty and interest to know and observe; but as to the time when we must give up our account, we know it not, nor is it needful that we should. The coming of Christ will be a great surprise to men. Our Lord himself said so. As the hour of death is the same to each person that the judgment will be to mankind in general, so the same remarks answer for both. Christ's coming will be terrible to the ungodly. Their destruction will overtake them while they dream of happiness, and please themselves with vain amusements. There will be no means to escape the terror or the punishment of that day. This day will be a happy day to the righteous. They are not in darkness; they are the children of the light. It is the happy condition of all true Christians. But how many are speaking peace and safety to themselves, over whose heads utter destruction is hovering! Let us endeavour to awaken ourselves and each other, and guard against our spiritual enemies.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4:9
Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
(Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12)
We should notice in others what is good, to their praise, that we may engage them to abound therein more and more. All who are savingly taught of God, are taught to love one another. The teaching of the Spirit exceeds the teachings of men; and men's teaching is vain and useless, unless God teach. Those remarkable for this or any other grace, need to increase therein, as well as to persevere to the end. It is very desirable to have a calm and quiet temper, and to be of a peaceable and quiet behaviour. Satan is busy to trouble us; and we have in our hearts what disposes us to be unquiet; therefore let us study to be quiet. Those who are busy-bodies, meddling in other men's matters, have little quiet in their own minds, and cause great disturbances among their neighbours. They seldom mind the other exhortation, to be diligent in their own calling, to work with their own hands. Christianity does not take us from the work and duty of our particular callings, but teaches us to be diligent therein. People often by slothfulness reduce themselves to great straits, and are liable to many wants; while such as are diligent in their own business, earn their own bread, and have great pleasure in so doing.