Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2025
Saturday, September 20, 2025
That they love one another (John 13:34).
If we only show love to a few brothers in the congregation, we are not obeying what Jesus said about love. Of course, we may have closer friendships with some of our brothers, just as Jesus did with some of his disciples (John 13:23; 20:2). But the apostle Peter reminds us to show all our brothers “brotherly affection,” that is, affection like that which exists between family members (1 Pet. 2:17).
He gave this advice: “Love one another intensely from the heart.” (1 Pet. 1:22) In this context, loving “intensely” conveys the idea of extending our love to those whom we might not naturally love. For example, what would be the most human reaction if a brother or sister harms or offends us? It probably wouldn’t be to show love, but to repay them in kind. But such a reaction would not please Jehovah, just as Jesus taught Peter. (John 18:10, 11) The apostle wrote: “Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, repay a blessing.” (1 Pet. 3:9) If you love intensely, you will be kind and considerate.
On what occasion did Peter not show love?
Peter learned what it means to show love. He was present when Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment: that you love one another, just as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34). Later, however, Peter caved to pressure and refused to eat with non-Jewish Christians. The apostle Paul said that Peter had acted hypocritically (Gal. 2:11-14). Peter accepted Paul’s correction and changed. In his two letters, he made it clear that we must not only feel love for our brothers and sisters, but also show it.
What helps us demonstrate “unhypocritical brotherly affection”? (1 Peter 1:22)
Peter said we should have “unconditional brotherly affection” for our brothers (read 1 Peter 1:22). This affection is the result of our “obedience to the truth,” and within that truth is the teaching that “God is not partial” (Acts 10:34, 35). If we only show love to some brothers in the congregation, we are not obeying what Jesus said about love.
Of course, we may have closer friendships with some of our brothers and sisters, just as Jesus did with some of his disciples (John 13:23; 20:2). But Peter reminds us to show all our brothers and sisters “brotherly affection,” that is, affection like that found among family members (1 Pet. 2:17).
What does it mean to love “intensely from the heart”?
Peter gave this advice: “Love one another intensely from the heart.” In this context, loving “intensely” conveys the idea of extending our love to those whom we might not naturally love. For example, what would be the most human reaction if a brother or sister harms or offends us? It probably wouldn’t be to show love, but to repay them in kind. But such a reaction would not please Jehovah, as Jesus taught Peter. (John 18:10, 11) The apostle wrote: “Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult. But return a blessing.” (1 Pet. 3:9) If you love intensely, you will be kind and considerate even to those who harm you.
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