'How To' Instructions in Righteousness               printer-friendly

Lesson 41:

Be of one mind
Invoke compassion
Love the brethren
Be pitiful
Be courteous

Key verse:  1 Peter 3:8
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
 

Be of one mind
[Be ye all of one mind] The word used here homofroon (NT:3675) does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It means, of the same mind; like-minded; and the object is to secure harmony in their views and feelings.
–Barnes

[Be ye all of one mind] Unity, both in the family and in the church, being essentially necessary to peace and salvation.  –Clarke

Be ye all of one mind. This recalls the "one accord" of Pentecost, or Paul's injunctions to the Philippians to be "in one spirit" (Phil 1:27) and "like-minded, having the same love, being of one mind, of one spirit" (Phil 2:2), followed closely by his gripping outline of the mind of Christ. Peter's catalog of accompanying graces reads like the gracious self-effacing aspects of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) or of the "wisdom that is from above" (James 3:17).  –Wycliffe

Be all of one mind, to be unanimous in the belief of the same faith, and the practice of the same duties of religion.  Christians should endeavour to be all of one mind in the great points of faith, in real affection, and in Christian practice; they should be like-minded one to another, according to Christ Jesus (Rom 15:5), not according to man's pleasure, but God's word. –Matthew Henry

This last commentary, I feel, says it the best when it says, "in the great points of faith".  We are a church and by definition are in agreement on common doctrine, i.e. the thirty-three main doctrines of this church.  We agree on the plan of God and the Salvation Process in principle.  At the same time, we recognize that each of us have personal elements of belief [PEB].  We have differing backgrounds and personalities.  This recognition can give rise to understanding and respect for these PEBs and this can lead to, as the commentary [and God's Word] says, real affection for each other.  We see this in the very next phrase of the verse.
 
Invoke compassion
[Having compassion one of another] "Sympathizing," sumpatheis (NT:4835); entering into one another's feelings, and evincing a regard for each other's welfare.  Compare 1 Cor 12:26; John 11:35. The Greek word used here does occur not elsewhere in the New Testament. It describes that state of mind which exists when we enter into the feelings of others as if they were our own, as the different parts of the body are affected by that which affects one. –Barnes

[Having compassion] Sumpatheis (NT:4835). Being sympathetic; feeling for each other; bearing each other's burdens.  –Clarke

We are to have compassion for our brethren in the faith who are experiencing trials and sorrows.  Continuing our discussion from above, we are to enter into one another's feelings to understand their personal elements of belief, even when our PEBs are different or even conflicting with theirs.  It is through this Godly principle of compassion [a fruit of the Holy Spirit] that we are able to recognize and understand the PEB of the other person.
 
Love the brethren
[Love as brethren] Margin, "loving to the;" that is, the brethren. The Greek word filadelfos (NT:5361) does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It means loving one's brethren; that is, loving each other as Christian brethren-Robinson, Lexicon. Thus, it enforces the duty so often enjoined in the New Testament, that of love to Christians as brethren of the same family. Compare Heb 13:1; John 13:34.  –Barnes

[Love as brethren] Philadelphoi (NT:5361). Be lovers of the brethren.  –Clarke

Though Christians cannot be exactly of the same mind, yet they should have compassion one for another, and love as brethren; they ought not to persecute or hate one another, but love one another with more than common affection; they should love as brethren. –Matthew Henry

Each succeeding phrase in this verse is the logical next step of growth in righteousness.  Each step is supported by the preceding step.  After compassion for our brothers and sisters in the faith, comes love.  The commentary just above is right on point, we cannot persecute or hate one another.  These emotions generally arise from personality differences and not acknowledging or understanding the other person's PEBs.  These negative emotions take us back to our study of James 1:27 ["pure religion and undefiled"].  If we allow this persecution and hate, our religion is tainted.  It is defiled.  We cannot truly love the brethren if these exist.  All Godly principles are pure and untainted as they sit in God's hand.  They cannot flow through a tainted firstfruit, one who's mind and heart are defiled.  Strive to overcome anything that would defile our minds and the pureness of Godly principles.
 
Be pitiful
[Be pitiful] The word used here eusplangchnos (NT:2155) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, except in Eph 4:32, where it is rendered "tender-hearted."  –Barnes  [see study on Eph. 4:32]

[Pitiful] Eusplangchnoi (NT:2155). Tender-hearted; let your bowels yearn over the distressed and afflicted. –Clarke

Christianity requires pity to the distressed, and civility to all. He must be a flagrant sinner, or a vile apostate, who is not a proper object of civil courtesy, 1 Cor. 5:11. –Matthew Henry

The commentary is stating that if a firstfruit is openly sinning, without repentance and/or is apostate [knowingly preaching, advocating or practicing false doctrine] we do not have to be tender-hearted toward them.  Indeed, they need rebuke, correction and, if need be, to be disfellowshipped if they do not repent.  Otherwise, and despite their opposing PEBs or personality, we are to be tender-hearted toward them.  We need to love them and have compassion for the brethren.
 
Be courteous
[Be courteous] This word also filofroon (NT:5391) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means "friendly-minded, kind, courteous." Later editions of the New Testament, instead of this, read tapeinofrones (NT:5756) of a lowly or humble mind. The sense is not materially varied. In the one word, the idea of "friendliness" is the one that prevails; in the other, that of "humility." Christianity requires both of these virtues, and either word enforces an important injunction.  –Barnes

[Courteous] Philophrones (NT:5391). Be friendly-minded; acquire and cultivate a friendly disposition.  –Clarke

God knows that the first four phrases [be of one mind, have compassion, love the brethren and be tender-hearted] are processes over time.  Therefore, He includes a command to be courteous.  We are to be "friendly-minded and kind" as the processes mature in us.  To be courteous does not take a timely process to develop.  It is a choice and in this verse, it is a command of Almighty God.
 

Instructions –
Be of one mind. Invoke compassion.  Love the brethren.  Be pitiful.  Be courteous.
 
 1) Be of one mind in the great points of faith [our 33 main doctrines, the plan of God, the Salvation Process, etc.]
 2) Acknowledge, understand and respect the PEBs of the brethren in the faith.
 3) Invoke compassion by entering into one another's feelings to understand their trials, sorrows and their PEBs.
 4) Love the brethren.
 5) Overcome anything that would defile our feelings of love and compassion for the brethren.
 6) Understand that the pureness of God cannot flow through a person who's religion is defiled.
 7) Be tender-hearted (pitiful) toward the brethren.
 8) Be courteous.  Be friendly-minded and kind to the brethren despite any differences.  Do not prefer one over another.

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