Brotherly Love

November 7

Ezekiel 19-20

Psalm 119:121-128

Proverbs 26:26-28

Hebrews 13

Brotherly Love

“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.” Hebrews 13:1 NIV

The word translated for love here is the Greek word phileo.  In the English language we have one word for love.  The Greeks have 4 different words to describe the different kinds of love that we feel for others.  Agape love is a perfect, selfless love.  This is the love that God shows to us and the love that Jesus exhibited on the cross.  It is not dependent on the behavior of the other person.  It is unconditional.  Phileo love is brotherly love.  This is love between close friends or companions.  It is based on mutual affection.  Eros is a sexual love driven by desire.  And storge love is the natural, unforced familial love.  It is the love of a mother and child, or a grandfather to his grandchildren.  It is based on a kindred connection.  Agape and phileo are referred to often in the Bible.  The word used in Hebrews 13:1 is phileo.  As believers in Jesus, we are adopted into the family of God.  We are His children and other Christians are our adopted brothers and sisters.  Hebrews 13:1 is telling us how to treat other Christians.  We are to treat each other with phileo love.  There is a bond that exists between all believers that is unique and unmistakable. We may be different ages, a different race, a different gender, and from a different cultural background.  We may be from different countries, different socioeconomic backgrounds, or different denominations.  But if we have the Holy Spirit living in us, we have a common bond that ties us together that is stronger than any bond we can have with an unbeliever.  This bond allows us to show phileo love to our brothers and sisters in Christ and results in mutual affection.   

Phileo love is constant.  It is not based on emotions or feelings.  It is based on a commitment to each other and to the body of Christ.   It seeks unity.  We do not have to agree about everything to have unity within the body of believers.  Phileo is not divisive.  It goes out of its way to seek peace and show respect.  This requires forgiveness and humility.  Phileo love is compassionate and understanding.  It walks alongside in good times and bad times sharing the joys and the sadness.  It is available to help with whatever is needed.  Sometimes that will be in the form of tangible resources like food and clothing.  At other times it will come as encouragement or prayer.  Sometimes it will be through serving a physical need or helping someone through a difficult time.  Phileo is unselfish.  “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) Phileo love is expressed in action.  It takes conscious effort to love in this way.  It is not easy and often does not come naturally.  It requires putting aside our own needs and desires to meet the needs of others.  This verse reminds us to keep loving each other, even when it is hard.  Don’t give up.