Brotherly Affection

"Make every effort to supplement...godliness with brotherly affection...." -2 Peter 1:7

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." -Romans 12: 9-10

The term "brotherly affection" is a combination of two Greek words. One is "phileo," which comes from the word for "friend," and means love at a friendship level. The other is "adelphos," meaning simply, "brother." Together they form the Greek word "philadelphia." When William Penn named the city he founded in Pennsylvania, he hoped it would always manifest that attribute.

"Philadelphia" therefore means brotherly, friendly, familial affection. This is the kind of love that the sisters of Lazarus had in mind when they sent word to Jesus, "Lord he whom you love is ill." The term is often used as the love the Father has for the Son (John 5:20), but is rarely used of the Father's love for us (see Revelation 3:19). We are never commanded to love God with "phileo," with one exception (1 Corinthians 16:22). "Agape" is the preferred New Testament word for love between God and man (we will look at that later).

"Philadelphia," as CS Lewis pointed out, is usually based on a common interest. In the Christian church, the togetherness of brotherly love centers around worship, prayer, study, and caring for one another's hurts and joys. It presupposes transparency and openness to one another with a degree of honesty--with Christ Himself as the focus that holds us together.

Brotherly love is most often warm, cozy, and familiar. It seeks out those who hold things in common with us, and is intensely comfortable. As an aside, we need to remember that there is a higher love, one that dies for the unlovely and cares for the uncomfortable--but I am spilling over into a discussion of "agape."

As I have been doing, let's ask how this virtue affects the one before. What would godliness be without brotherly love? This is a very important question, because at this point in Peter's list of virtues, a shift occurs. Up till now the virtues are inner, personal, and subjective. Godliness can exist in an isolated Christian heart. But with brotherly love, the emphasis becomes corporate. Brotherly love cannot exist outside a broader community. So simply put, godliness without brotherly love would remain a subjective matter that could not express the life of God outside self.

What about the reverse? What happens when a Christian attempts brotherly love without first learning godliness (humility)? Obviously, such a Christian enjoys the affection of others without the capacity to return it, and remains self-centered. He can enjoy the warm fuzzies of fellowship, but isn't equipped to deal with the situation if love is challenged or disturbed.

Next: Agape love.