Definition and Significance

Brotherly kindness, often referred to as "philadelphia" in the original Greek, is a fundamental Christian virtue that emphasizes love and affection among believers. It is a form of love that is characterized by mutual respect, care, and a sense of familial bond within the body of Christ. This virtue is integral to Christian ethics and is seen as a reflection of the love that Christ has for His church.

Biblical References

Brotherly kindness is prominently featured in the New Testament, where it is often listed among the virtues that Christians are encouraged to cultivate. In 2 Peter 1:5-7 , the apostle Peter exhorts believers to "make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." This passage highlights the progression of spiritual growth, with brotherly kindness being a crucial step towards achieving the fullness of Christian love.

The apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of brotherly kindness in his letters. In Romans 12:10 , he writes, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another." Here, Paul underscores the idea of mutual devotion and honor among believers, suggesting that brotherly kindness is not merely an emotion but an active commitment to the well-being of others.

Theological Context

Brotherly kindness is deeply rooted in the theological understanding of the church as the family of God. Believers are considered brothers and sisters in Christ, united by their faith and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This familial relationship calls for a love that transcends mere friendship or social obligation, reflecting the unity and harmony that God desires for His people.

The concept of brotherly kindness is also linked to the Great Commandment, where Jesus instructs His followers to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). This commandment is seen as a natural extension of the love for God, manifesting in the way believers treat one another.

Practical Application

In practical terms, brotherly kindness involves acts of service, encouragement, and support within the Christian community. It calls for believers to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2), to forgive as they have been forgiven (Colossians 3:13), and to seek the good of others above their own interests (Philippians 2:3-4).

Brotherly kindness also challenges believers to overcome divisions and conflicts within the church. It requires humility, patience, and a willingness to reconcile differences for the sake of unity. As such, it serves as a powerful witness to the world of the transformative power of the gospel.

Conclusion

While brotherly kindness is a distinct virtue, it is closely related to the broader concept of Christian love, or "agape." It is both a gift and a responsibility, calling believers to reflect the love of Christ in their relationships with one another. Through brotherly kindness, the church becomes a living testimony of God's love and grace, drawing others to the truth of the gospel.Brotherly Kindness

BROTHERLY KINDNESS; BROTHERLY LOVE

kind'-nes (the King James Version 2 Peter 1:7), or LOVE (the King James Version Romans 12:10 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; philadelphia):

1. As Moral Ideal:

In the Revised Version (British and American), "love of the brethren" in all places, and so in the King James Version of 1 Peter 1:22, thus defining the disposition as love, and its objects as brethren. Since God is Father and men are His sons, they are therefore brethren of one another. As sonship is the most essential factor in man's right relation to God, so is brotherhood in his relation to his fellow-man. Brotherhood is first known as the relation between sons of the same parent, a relation of tender affection and benevolence. It becomes gradually extended to kindred, and to members of the same tribe or nation. And the Christian ideal of society is that a similar relation should exist between all men without limit or distinction. Agape, "love" (see CHARITY), is the word in the New Testament that generally denotes this ideal. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" is the whole law of conduct as between man and man (Matthew 22:39, 40); and neighbor includes every man within one's reach (Luke 10:29), even enemies (Matthew 5:44 Luke 6:35). Without the love of man, the love of God is impossible, but "he that abideth in love abideth in God" (1 John 4:16, 20).

2. As Actual Between Christians:

But man's sonship to God may be potential or actual. He may not respond to God's love or know His Fatherhood. Likewise love to man may not be reciprocated, and therefore may be incomplete. Yet it is the Christian's duty, like God, to maintain his disposition of love and benevolence to those that hate and curse him (Luke 6:27, 28). But within the Christian community, love should respond to love, and find its fulfillment, for there all men are, or should be, God's sons actually, "because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts, through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us" (Romans 5:5). And this mutual love within the Christian brotherhood (1 Peter 5:9) is called philadelphia.

3. Stoic Teaching:

This twofold ideal of social morality as universal benevolence and mutual affection had been foreshadowed by the STOICS (which see). Men as citizens of the world should adopt an attitude of justice and mercy toward all men, even slaves; but within the community of the "wise" there should be the mutual affection of friendship.

4. Christian Advance on Heathen Thought:

Christianity succeeded in organizing and realizing in intense and practical fellowship the ideal that remained vague and abstract in the Greek schools: "See how these Christians love one another." It was their Master's example followed, and His commandment and promise fulfilled: "Love one another. as I have loved you.; by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples" (John 13:14, 34, 35). Paul in his earliest epistle bears witness that the Thessalonians practice love "toward all the brethren that are in all Macedonia," even as they had been taught of God, but urges them to "abound more and more" (1 Thessalonians 4:9, 10). For the healing of differences, and to build up the church in order and unity, he urges the Romans "in love of the brethren (to) be tenderly affectioned one to another" (Romans 12:10). Christians must even "forbear one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2) and "walk in love, even as Christ also loved you" (Ephesians 5:2 Philippians 2:1, 2). It involves some suffering and sacrifice. The author of the Epistle to the He recognizes the presence of "love of the brethren" and urges that it may continue (Hebrews 13:1). It is the direct result of regeneration, of purity and obedience to the truth (1 Peter 1:22, 23). It proceeds from godliness and issues in love (2 Peter 1:7). "Love of the brethren" (agape) is the one practical topic of John's epistles. It is the message heard from the beginning, "that we should love one another" 1 John 3:11, 23. It is the test of light and darkness (1 John 2:10); life and death (1 John 3:14); children of God or children of the devil (1 John 3:10; 1 John 4:7-12). Without it there can be no knowledge or love of God (1 John 4:20), but when men love God and obey Him, they necessarily love His children (1 John 5:2). No man can be of God's family, unless his love extends to all its members.

T. Rees

5360. philadelphia -- the love of brothers, brotherly love
... Origin from philadelphos Definition the love of brothers, brotherly love NASB Word
Usage brotherly kindness (2), brotherly love (1), love of the brethren (3). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5360.htm - 7k

Steadfast unto the End
... and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience;
and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 52 steadfast unto the.htm

Letter xvii. Harmony of Christian Character.
... and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience;
and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to ...
/.../letter xvii harmony of christian.htm

Spiritual Growth
... and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience;
and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xvii spiritual growth.htm

November 28 Morning
... and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience;
and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/november 28 morning.htm

December 31 Evening
... and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience;
and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/december 31 evening.htm

Power in Operation.
... and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience;
and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter iv power in operation.htm

'As I have Loved'
... the Church, and letting the world go to the devil as an alien thing, he said: 'Add
to your faith,' this, that, and the other, and 'brotherly kindness, and to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/as i have loved.htm

The Planting of the Church in New England --Pilgrim and Puritan.
... The moderateness of Robinson's position, and the brotherly kindness of his temper,
could not save him and his people from the prevailing odium that rested upon ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter viii the planting of.htm

Perseverance of the Saints Proved.
... temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; 7. And to
godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity.8. For if ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlviii perseverance of the.htm

Renatus had done Him a Kindness by Sending Him the Books which had ...
... Your sincerity towards us, dearest brother Renatus, and your brotherly kindness,
and the affection of mutual love between us, we already had clear proof of ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 1 i renatus had done.htm

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