Thomas Aquinas, on 1Thess 4:9

“But as touching the charity of brotherhood, we have no need to write to you: for yourselves have learned of God to love one another.”

“Then when Paul remarks: But concerning love of the brethren you have no need to have any one write to you, he discourages them from remaining idle. It should be realized, as Jerome says in the letter to the Galatians, that the Thessalonians were generous, and that it was the custom among the rich to give away a great deal; as a result the poor idly depended on their benefits without looking for work, but rather wasted time in their homes. And so Paul first commends the generosity of the donors, but he is then critical of the idleness of the recipients of the welfare (4:11). And first then, Paul adds that they do not need to be reminded of the need for charity, but secondly he also advises that they make progress in it (4:10). Paul observes, but concerning love of the brethren, that is, in regard to your love for your brothers, you have no need to have any one write to you. "Love one another with brotherly affection" (Rom. 12:10). "Let brotherly love continue" (Heb. 13:1). And the reason for this is that, you yourselves have been taught by God, that is, through the precept in the Law: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Lev. 19:18). Also, it is clear from the gospel of St. John (13:34) "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you." Or, you yourselves have been taught this by an interior teaching, as is found in John (6:45): "Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me." And this lesson is gained through the help of the Holy Spirit.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.