Brotherly Love
“Let brotherly love continue.” Hebrews 13.1
This is such a succinct and clear statement, yet it holds a well-spring of admonition. The phrase “brotherly love” translates the Greek word “philadelphía” which is one of three Greek words which pertain to love of some type. Philadelphia type love refers to a sweet and kind affection toward other people. It is a concept which is always appropriate within the context of the New Testament Church.
Paul writes to the Thessalonian church: “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.” (I Thessalonians 4.9)
In this chapter of Hebrews, the writer is bringing to a close a dissertation which compares the old sacrificial system built upon the blood of bulls and goats to the new sacrificial system founded upon the once-for-all sacrifice of the pure blood of Jesus Christ. The old system was impersonal as the sacrifice was offered and left as a dead object on the altar. The new system offers a personal, living sacrifice whose Spirit lives within us and whose Person advocates for us.
Having brought together the Hebrews, God’s Chosen people, into a covenant of grace, the writer expounds the significance of this relationship in personal applications. How are we, the church members of the Body of Christ, to interact with other believers and the world in general.
Brotherly love should cause us be gracious toward strangers. “Be not forgetful” literally translates as “be not forgetful of hospitality.” Too often we have relegated the care of the poor and needy to governmental programs. God’s Word never suggests that as a possible option.
John expresses our responsibility: “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” (I John 3.17, 18) And James writes: “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2.15-17)
Too often, it seems, we sit in our comfortable churches – in our specific seat – enjoying the music and the preaching of the Word while there is a world of hurting people outside our doors. We may even endure their presence in our services should they choose to attend. And, we may pat ourselves on the back for shaking their hands and greeting them. Essentially, we are saying “be warmed and filled” but are doing nothing, personally, to help their situation.
Salvation in Christ is a personal thing – a thing that should cause us to go out of our way to minister to those who are less fortunate. Brotherly love should drive us to seek out those who are in need and to sacrifice to help them. That mandate was never relegated to the government – it was placed squarely upon the Body of Christ – individually and personally.
If we are going to be a true follower of Christ, we will go to the fatherless and hungry – into the projects and offer them Christ along with a new coat and a bucket of food. Copyright © 2025 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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