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● 1Pet 2:17 . . Love the brotherhood.
The Greek word translated "brotherhood" is adelphotes (ad-el-fot'-ace)
which appears in only two places in the entire New Testament; both are in
the apostle Peter's epistles: one here and the other in 1Pet 5:9.
It's a curious word because it essentially refers to a fraternity; defined by
Webster's as a group of people associated or formally organized for a
common purpose, interest, or pleasure; i.e. persons of the same class,
profession, character, or tastes: for example leagues, guilds, societies, and
trade unions.
"We're all in this together" pretty much sums up adelphotes; for example
1Pet 5:8-9 which reads:
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the
faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are
undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
But now; exactly who is in this frat about which Peter speaks? Well, the
apostle identifies them by his greeting in 1Pet 1:1-2 which reads:
"To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus,
Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to
the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the
Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood"
Just to be on the safe side, assume that Peter's greeting applies to anyone
and everyone calling themselves a Christian regardless of their
denominational affiliation. This can be done very easily just by following his
instructions to honor all men. (see post No.31)
One thing to our advantage is that the Greek word for "love" in 1Pet 2:17 is
impersonal, viz: it doesn't require affection, it only requires that we be
humane, e.g. civil, courteous, friendly, peaceable, hospitable, sympathetic,
tolerant, lenient, forgiving, charitable, and generous. In other words; we
don't actually have to like our fellow Christians, we only have to allow them
the dignity that the image and likeness of God deserves.
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