As we progress through Peter’s blueprint for growth, it is clear that this is not a progression that should take years, but a transition that happens as we diligently build our character. In this article, we consider the next quality on the list: Brotherly Kindness.
"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love." — 2 Peter 1:5–7
The Affection of the Family
The Greek word translated as brotherly kindness or brotherly love is philadelphia. You might recognize the roots of this word in the name of the city Philadelphia — the "City of Brotherly Love." It describes the kind of affection and warmth that exists within a family.
In Romans 12:9-13, Paul gives us a beautiful description of how this looks in practice:
"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another…"
This isn’t just a polite acknowledgment of fellow believers; it is a deep-seated affection where we actively seek to honor one another and give preference to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Purified for Sincere Love
Why should we be so committed to this kind of love? Peter explains the foundation for this affection in his first letter (1 Peter 1:22-23):
"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, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible…"
Our obedience to the truth and our "new birth" should naturally result in a "sincere love of the brethren." Because we have been born of the same incorruptible seed — the Word of God — we are part of the same eternal family.
The Center of the Christian Life
Brotherly kindness is not an outlying Scriptural concept; it lies at the very heart of the Christian life. John reminds us that our love for one another is the evidence of our relationship with God (1 John 4:7-11):
"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… Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
When we exhibit brotherly kindness, we are reflecting the love that God first showed us. It is the practical outworking of our godliness.
A Testimony to the World
Finally, we must remember that this quality serves a purpose beyond our own comfort. Jesus Himself taught that this specific kind of love would be our "identification badge" to the world:
"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." — John 13:34-35
When the world sees a group of people from different backgrounds and walks of life truly caring for one another with "sincere affection," they see the power of Christ. In our next study, we will see how this brotherly kindness prepares us for the final quality: agape love — the fullness of the Christian life.
Recent Articles in this Series:
What About Faith | Grace and Peace | But Also For This Very Reason | Add Virtue | Add Knowledge | Add Self-Control | Add Perseverance | Add Godliness