Love of the brethren (5360) (philadelphia from phÃlos = beloved, dear, friendly + adelphós = brother) means "fraternal love", brotherly love (kindness), love of the brethren. Brotherly love normally referred to the love members of a family held for each other (this was the way it was used in secular Greek) and would not normally be used to describe the love between members of different families. However, in the NT philadelphia is used to describe the love that believers possess for one to another, for even though they were members of different natural families, they were united in Christ and were recipients of family love originating from the Father Who had bestowed His great love on His spiritual children (1John 3:1, cp note 1Peter 1:22). Philadelphia describes a love which calls for an affection for one another like that one expressed between natural family members (Ro 12:10-note where devoted or "loving warmly" = philostorgos from philos = beloved, dear + storge = family love, the love of parents and children). Remember that Christianity forged a radical relationship in Christ wherein believing Greeks and Jews, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarians, Scythians, slaves and freemen, men and women were now all one in their Lord (cp Gal 3:28, Col 3:11-note, Eph 4:1, 2, 3-note). Such a diverse cultural community would have continual need for emphasis on love of the brethren. As Christians we have become brothers and sisters in the community of faith and Paul refers to them as brothers (sisters is clearly implied) some nineteen times in 1 Thessalonians alone. Our love is not just a passive disposition of fondness but manifests itself in overt acts of kindness toward the brethren. Paul frequently mentions love in the Thessalonian epistles... constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love... (see note 1Thes 1:3) But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, (see note 1Thes 3:6) and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also do for you (see note 1Thes 3:12) But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. (see note 1Thes 5:8) and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. (see note 1Thes 5:13) We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater (2Thes 1:3) And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ. (2Thes 3:5) In common Greek philadelphia means love of those actually kin by blood, but in the NT it is the kinship in the love of Christ as in this passage and the others listed below. Here are the 5 uses on philadelphia in the NT... Romans 12:10 (note) (see above) 1Thessalonians 4:9 Hebrews 13:1 (note) (see above) 1 Peter 1:22 (note) (see below) 2 Peter 1:7 (note) and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. There is a use of philadelphia in the Apocryphal book of 2 Maccabees... And Onias spoke, saying, “This is a man who loves the brethren and prays much for the people and the holy city, Jeremiah, the prophet of God.” Josephus (Ant 4.26) has this use of philadelphia... nor have I taken and given this office to my brother, because he excelled others in riches, for thou exceedest us both in the greatness of thy wealth; nor indeed because he was of an eminent family, for God, by giving us the same common ancestor, has made our families equal: nay, nor was it out of brotherly affection, which another might yet have justly done; You have no need for anyone to write to you - See above for the numerous instances of Paul's discussion of love in regard to the Thessalonians. The emphasis now is on what God had taught them. Isaiah has a parallel passage writing... And all your sons will be taught of the LORD; And the well-being of your sons will be great. (Is 54:13, cp Jn 6:45, Jer 31:33, 34, Micah 4:2, 1Jn 2:27) Comment: The specific promise is to Israel to be fulfilled in the Millennium and yet the principle is eternal and applicable to all believers in this present age. John Calvin eloquently explained why explicit instructions were not needed writing that... Love was engraved on their hearts, so that there was no need of letters written on paper. "Go to the page below to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/1thessalonians_49-10.htm#love