Brotherly kindness refers to the love, care, and compassion that Christians are called to have for their fellow believers in Christ. It is one of the virtues listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7 that Christians should make every effort to add to their faith. The Greek word translated as “brotherly kindness” is philadelphia, which literally means “love of brothers/sisters.” This special bond of love and unity is meant to exist between those who are spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ.
The Bible has a lot to say about how Christians should demonstrate brotherly kindness toward one another. Here are some key principles from Scripture on what brotherly kindness involves:
Loving and Accepting Fellow Believers
Brotherly kindness starts with a sincere love for others in the body of Christ. Romans 12:10 says to “be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” This means placing the needs of others above our own. We are called to accept one another just as Christ accepted us (Romans 15:7). Brotherly kindness is demonstrated through genuine love, not just surface level affection.
Living in Harmony
Brotherly kindness involves making every effort to live in harmony with fellow believers. Romans 12:16 instructs us to “live in harmony with one another.” This means being willing to set aside personal preferences at times in order to preserve unity in the church. Philippians 2:2 says to be “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Brotherly kindness seeks to build up others, not tear them down over disagreements.
Showing Honor
An important aspect of brotherly kindness is showing honor to one another. Romans 12:10 says to “be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” This means not thinking of ourselves as better than others. Philippians 2:3 says to “in humility value others above yourselves.” We honor others in the body of Christ by showing them respect even when we disagree.
Being Unified
Brotherly kindness recognizes that all believers are unified in Christ. We are members of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19). This should motivate us to be “completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). Our unity is based on the common salvation we share in Christ, which enables us to love one another sincerely and seek true harmony.
Carrying Each Other’s Burdens
An important way we show brotherly kindness is by bearing one another’s burdens. Galatians 6:2 instructs, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” This means coming alongside struggling believers with compassion, encouragement, and practical support. Brotherly kindness recognizes we are all in this together and at times will need help from our spiritual brothers and sisters.
Encouraging Each Other
Brotherly kindness involves building each other up through encouragement. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” We show love when we cheer each other on in pursuing Christ-likeness and exercising our spiritual gifts to build up the Church.
Praying for Each Other
An important way to demonstrate brotherly kindness is through prayer. We can intercede for our brothers and sisters in Christ, lifting up their needs and struggles before God. James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Praying for fellow believers is an act of love and care.
Meeting Practical Needs
Brotherly kindness at times calls for meeting the tangible, practical needs of others in the body of Christ. John said, “let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18). This could include sharing meals, providing childcare, donating money, or helping a brother or sister in need. Meeting physical needs demonstrates Christ’s love in action.
Extending Grace and Forgiveness
An essential part of brotherly kindness is learning to forgive one another. Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Because we have all received grace and forgiveness from Christ, we must extend the same grace to others. This is how we preserve the bond of unity.
Restoring Broken Relationships
When conflict or offense happens between believers, brotherly kindness seeks reconciliation and restoration. Jesus gave instructions for addressing conflict between believers in Matthew 18:15-17. The goal is redemption and restoring broken relationships, not judgment or punishment. Handling conflict biblically demonstrates the reconciling power of Christ’s love at work among us.
Serving and Edifying One Another
Brotherly kindness means using our gifts and abilities to build up others in the body of Christ. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” We show love when we help others grow in Christ through acts of service, encouragement, teaching biblical truth, or any way we can edify and strengthen the church.
In summary, brotherly kindness is sincere Christian love and unity in action. It flows out of our common identity as children of God and members of His family. As Scripture says, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10). The way we treat fellow believers demonstrates the reality of Christ’s transforming love in our lives. Brotherly kindness recognizes that our spiritual brothers and sisters are precious in God’s sight, so we seek to build each other up in His grace until Christ returns.