Young Adults' Group

Love For The Brethren

by Pastor Mark
May 23, 2019

Loving terms of endearment

I have always been deeply challenged by the wonderful example of the Apostle Paul in his way of relating to his brethren…especially the church of Philippi. His love for them was amazing. Even when he addressed them, he had these loving terms of endearment for them.

1. My beloved

“Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown,” (Phil 4:1)

The word “beloved” is derived from the Greek word “agapetos” which means “well-loved one”. The brethren were Paul’s well-loved ones. God used the same term for His Son when John the Baptist ordained him, “This is My beloved Son,” (Matt 3:17) This is indeed a special term of endearment that is used for someone well-loved.

2. Longed-for brethren

Paul had a deep yearning for the Philippian church. He considered them his brethren. The word “brethren” was used 8 times by Paul in this epistle. This was his focus on how he saw the believers at Philippi. He had a deep longing for them as his brethren. As Paul wrote this letter when he was in prison, he longed for them…to be with them.

3. My joy

The word “joy” is related to the word “chara” which means “grace”. It was through grace that Paul was able to find this joy. The brethren were considered his joy. They brought special joy to him. This reflected the kind of closeness that Paul had with the brethren.

4. My crown

The Greek word “stephanos” means “that which surrounds, a wreath”. This is where we get the English name…“Stephen”. It is a reference to the wreath that is awarded to those who are victorious. Paul saw the brethren as his crown, his prize, his reward. They were most precious to him.

When we think about our brethren in Bethany, what kind of terms of endearment would we use for them? I would not hesitate to use the same terms of endearment that Paul used in how I would see Bethany.

Paul’s endearing love for the brethren

Why did Paul use these terms of endearment? It was because of Paul’s deep love for the brethren. In the early chapters of the epistle, Paul already wrote about this special love. He wrote, “because I have you in my heart,” (Phil 1:7) His love resided in his heart. He also wrote, “how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 1:8) The word “affection” in Greek means “splagchna” which literally means the “inner bowels” to indicate a deep affection. Paul learnt to love with the deep affections of the Lord Jesus.

The challenge of the Lord to love

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

The Lord gave an important commandment to love. He instructed His disciples to love each other with His kind of love. Their kind of love was shallow and found to be wanting. The Lord Jesus became their example to follow, to love with His kind of deep affections for them and the brethren. Paul was able to love as the Lord commanded. He demonstrated the Lord’s deep and heartfelt love for the brethren in Philippi. Let us be challenged to fulfil the Lord’s commandment to love with His kind of love. Let us cultivate the kind love that Paul had exemplified in our love for our brethren here in Bethany.

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