MONDAY September 28, 2026

Brotherly Love

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers....
1 Peter 3:8

Peter’s third exhortation spoke of brotherly love. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to love one another. Why? We are related to each other through the bonds of Christ and His love. Earlier in Peter’s letter was another reference to the same brotherly love: Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart... (1 Peter 1:22).

In secular Greek, the term love is seen naturally between blood relatives, such as brothers and sisters; but in Christian literature, the usage is always figuratively speaking; denoting the mutual love which is the bond of brotherhood in Christ, not just a brotherly love between natural siblings. In fact, the Christian church located in the city of Philadelphia, in the Greek language is called Philadelphos, which translates to “city of brotherly love.”

Christians love the Lord Jesus Christ, and He commanded them in John 13:34-35 to also love one another:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

God has given to us His agape love. It is an unconditional, pure and holy love. Gauge your Christian love by this Bible verse:

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:7-8).

Think of how many times you and I will go up to a brother or sister in Christ and say, “I love you.” Honestly, do we really mean it, or do we say it mechanically without sincerity of heart behind those words? To love somebody unconditionally is to love with Christ’s love.

Brotherly love is still the distinguishing badge of every true Christian.
~Matthew Henry~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!