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I. THE CONNECTION. The apostle joins brotherly kindness to godliness.

1. Because brotherly kindness is the daughter of godliness. The river of charity springs from the fountain of piety.

2. Because brotherly kindness is the moderator of godliness. God loves not such mad zeal, that so fixeth the eyes on heaven that it despiseth to look on their poor brother on earth.

3. Because godliness is proved by brotherly kindness (1 John 2:9).

II. THE DEFINITION. It is a love to the faithful; to such as possess the same faith with us, and by that faith are adopted heirs to the same God, through the brotherhood of the same Christ. It is distinguished from charity by nearness and dearness. By nearness, I mean not local but mystical. Charity hath a great latitude, and is like the heaven that covers all; brotherly kindness like the sun that shines upon the one half at once. The firmament sends influence to more than the sun, but the sun comes nearer to that object it blesseth than the firmament. By dearness; for the bond of nature is not so strong as the bond of grace. Our creation hath made us friends; our redemption, brethren.

III. THE DISTINCTION. There are three sorts of brethren.

1. By race; and that either by birth, or by blood.

2. By place, such as are of the same nation.

3. By grace.

IV. THE CONCLUSIONS.

1. The necessity is great.

(1) It is worthy in itself; that virtue which is ranked with godliness must needs be honourable.

(2) We are apt to neglect it; therefore St. Peter urges it several times (1 Peter 1:22; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Peter 3:8, and here); St. Paul thrice (Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1).

2. The practice.

(1) What it forbids as opposites to it, and murderers of it.

(a)  Contentious litigation (1 Corinthians 6:6, 7; Proverbs 6:19; Genesis 13:8).

(b)  An inveterate hatred. God loves all His children; wilt thou hate him that God loves? (1 John 2:11; 1 John 3:15).

(c)  Even anger itself is a traitor to this virtue; for as hatred is a long anger, so anger is a short hatred; malice is nothing else but inveterate wrath (Matthew 5:22).

(d)  Oppression (1 Thessalonians 4:6).

(e)  A proud contempt of one's brethren (Psalm 50:20).

(2) Positively.

(a)  This brotherly kindness is shown in reprehending those we love (Leviticus 19:17).

(b)  Helping their poor estates.

(c)  Praying for them.

(Thos. Adams.)

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KJV: And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

WEB: Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;