“Love the Brotherhood”: Recovering a Forgotten Command

“Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”

— 1 Peter 2:17

That short command—love the brotherhood—is one of the simplest and yet frequently neglected exhortations in the New Testament. It assumes something that feels almost foreign in our time: that Christians are meant to recognize one another, draw near to one another, and rejoice in shared faith. An outsider could not be able to see a difference among the interactions between a believer/lost person and a believer/believer. Most may not be aware that there should even be a distinction—that we should do good “especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” -Galatians 6:10.

The Bible never presents Christianity as a merely private or internal belief. It is deeply personal, yes—but it is also transcends self. The apostles did not envision isolated believers scattered across society with little concern for one another. They envisioned a people knit together by truth, sacrifice, confession, and love. We are “[A]n holy nation, a peculiar people;” -1 Peter 2:9

Yet today, when Christians attempt to live that way, suspicion often follows.

If believers are too close, too devoted, too connected, the world quickly reaches for a label: cult. Deep loyalty is treated as dangerous. Shared convictions are viewed as narrow-minded. Mutual accountability is dismissed as control. In a culture that promotes self over others, any tight-knit community that stands on shared truth feels threatening.

So the very thing Scripture commands—love the brotherhood—is subtly discouraged.

And sadly, this ideology doesn’t just come from outside the camp.

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Verb Forms and Significance

The verse contains four commands creating a rhythmic, memorable structure:

1. “honor” - Aorist tense

2. “love” - Present tense

3. “fear” - Present tense

4. “honor” - Present tense

What’s the Difference?

In Greek, verb tenses work differently than in English. Think of it this way:

Aorist tense (used in the first command) presents an action as a single, complete whole—like taking a snapshot of the past. It’s a comprehensive summary statement: “Make it your principle to honor everyone.”

Present tense (used in the last three commands) emphasizes ongoing, continuous action—like recording a video. It means “keep on doing this habitually”: “continuously love the brotherhood,” “continually fear God,” “keep on honoring the king.”

Why Does This Matter?

The shift from aorist to present tense is significant. Peter starts with a broad, foundational principle—honor for all people as a general rule of life. Then he moves to three specific groups that require sustained, habitual attitudes: ongoing love for fellow Christians, continuous reverence for God, and consistent respect for governing authorities.

In other words, the first command establishes the big-picture principle, while the remaining three describe daily practices that should characterize the Christian life moment by moment.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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The Loss of Christian Recognition

There was a time when meeting another Christian brought genuine excitement. A shared confession of Christ immediately created warmth, trust, and a sense of family. Scripture assumes this response. Believers are described as brethren, household, body, fellow citizens, living stones. These are not poetic flourishes; they describe real relationships.

Today, that sense of recognition has faded.

A Christian may initiate conversation with someone who claims the Name of Christ, only to be met with indifference. There is often no curiosity, no joy, no spiritual alertness. The unspoken assumption is: Of course you’re a Christian—everyone is, so what? The label has become so broad and so hollow that it no longer signals shared life, shared doctrine, or shared allegiance.

When Christianity becomes cultural rather than confessional, brotherhood becomes optional rather than essential.

And when brotherhood is optional, it slowly disappears.

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Brotherhood Requires Truth, Not Vagueness

Biblical brotherhood does not arise from vague spirituality or shared moral sentiment. It is grounded in truth—truth confessed, taught, defended, and lived. The apostles could speak of “the brotherhood” because there was a shared gospel, a shared rule of faith, and a shared way of life.

Unity without truth is not Christian unity. It is merely social proximity.

True brotherhood requires agreement on who Christ is, what He has done, and what He commands. It flourishes where Scripture governs belief and practice. It strengthens believers precisely because it is bounded and defined.

This is why the church is not merely a gathering of like-minded individuals, but a covenant community under Christ’s headship.

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Brotherhood as a Command

The answer is not to retreat further into isolation, nor to soften biblical language to avoid offense. Scripture does not apologize for Christian closeness.

The early church continued steadfastly together. They bore one another’s burdens. They suffered together. They were known for their love—not a vague kindness toward everyone, but a visible devotion to one another because they belonged to Christ.

This kind of brotherhood is not built on charisma, secrecy, or manipulation. It is built on shared submission to Christ and His Word. That is the difference.

Cults form around men. Brotherhood forms around truth.

Religion demands loyalty without question. Brotherhood invites accountability under Scripture.

Secularism isolates from correction. Brotherhood thrives on light, confession, and repentance.

The fear of being misunderstood must not rob Christians of what God Himself has ordained.

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Recovering the Joy of the Brotherhood

The loss of brotherhood is not irreversible.

It begins when Christians once again take Scripture seriously—not only its doctrines, but its vision of life together. When believers stop assuming faith and begin living it through their actions. When conversations move beyond labels and into truth. When Christians risk being earnest again.

It may feel awkward at first. In a culture trained to keep faith private, open joy in shared belief can seem strange. But Scripture never called us to blend in—it called us to love one another visibly and sincerely.

And when that love is restored, something beautiful happens.

Christians once again recognize each other—not merely by name, but by spirit. Fellowship becomes nourishing rather than shallow. Assembling becomes strengthening rather than performative. And a church service begins to feel less like an event and more like corporate worship.

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A Call to Honour What God Honours

Peter’s command still stands: Love the brotherhood.

Intentionally, courageously, and joyfully.

In a world that fears closeness, Christian brotherhood is a quiet act of resistance—and a powerful testimony. It proclaims that Christ truly has made us one, and that His people are not meant to walk alone.

Let us honour what God honours.

Let us recover what Scripture prescribes.

And let us love the brotherhood—in both the sight of men and in the sight of God, as a living witness to the truth of the gospel.