But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
Ver. 9. Ye need not that I write] Since the divine nature, whereof ye are partakers, prompteth you to it, as common nature doth brethren to love one another. The very name of a brother is potent enough to draw affections.
Are taught of God] Therefore have no such need to be taught by men, as those that are yet strangers to the life of God. Quando Christus magister, quam cito discitur quod docetur? saith Augustine. Nescit tarda molimina gratia Spiritus sancti, saith Ambrose. All Christ's scholars are nimble and notable proficients.
To love one another] The affections are such things as the Lord only can meddle with; therefore the apostle saith, you "are taught of God to love one another."