Sunday, February 16, 2020

Brotherly (and Sisterly) Love


     “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
(John 13:34-35 New International Version)

Last week, I explained a little bit about Eros love. Today, I’m going to go into Phileo love.

Phileo (or philia) is Greek for “brotherly love”, an emotional bond found in deep friendships. In the Bible, phileo means showing love, care, respect and compassion towards all people but is also what brings fellow believers together. Throughout the Bible, the followers of Jesus are reminded to show love towards others, and particularly to other Christians.

 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:9-10 New International Version)

As mentioned here a few weeks ago, this word is where the city of Philadelphia gets its name and why it is called the city of brotherly love. But that name wasn’t chosen just because it sounded good.

Back in the late sixteen-hundreds, King Charles gave William Penn a large amount of land to establish a colony. William, a Quaker, believed in equality, religious freedom and brotherly love. When he settled his new city, he named it Philadelphia because he so believed in the importance of showing love to our fellow mankind.  

 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:1-2 New International Version)

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