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In the Old Testament, Israelites were taught not to hate their brothers: "You shall not hate your brother in your heart... but you shall love your neighbor as yourself" <Lev. 19:17-18>. This emphasis is continued and is made even more positive in the New Testament. Believers are exhorted to "be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love" <Rom. 12:10>, to "let brotherly love continue" <Heb. 13:1>, to "love the brotherhood" <1 Pet. 2:17>, and to "love as brothers" <1 Pet. 3:8>.
Brotherly love is to be the badge, or hallmark, of a Christian <John 13:35>. The Greek word for brotherly love <Philadelphia> appears as the name of a city in the province of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation <Rev. 1:11>.
Love of brothers for each other <Rom. 12:10; Heb. 13:1; 2 Pet. 1:7>. The phrase is used in a symbolic sense to express love of Christians for one another, since all are sons of the same Father. The Greek word translated as brotherly love implies more than love for one's "blood brothers," as in pagan writings; it means love for the broader brotherhood of true believers, for the members of the church, the "household of faith" <Gal. 6:10> and "of God" <Eph. 2:19>; (also <1 Pet. 2:17; 3:8; 5:9>).
Christians are a brotherhood in the service of Christ <Matt. 23:8>, a family made up of those who do the will of God <Matt. 12:50; Mark 3:35; Luke 8:21>. "A new commandment I give to you," Jesus said to His disciples, "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>.
A Christian's love should extend beyond the Christian brotherhood, however, to all people. "If you greet your brethren only," said Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, "what do you do more than others?" <Matt. 5:47>. The Christian is called not only to love his neighbor and his brother but also to love his enemy <Matt. 5:44>.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
(Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
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