HOLY HABIT #6:
Brotherly Kindness
2 Peter 1:5-7
Introduction
“Loving one another is not optional in the Christian life. It is the evidence of it.” (John Piper)
This is where all our spiritual growth leads. The Holy Habits of 2 Peter 1 begin with faith and end with love. That journey transforms our character—and then overflows into our relationships. That’s where brotherly kindness comes in.
We’ve seen the progression: faith as the foundation, moral goodness as our framework, knowledge as our direction, self-control as our discipline, perseverance as our endurance, and godliness as our character. Now that character spills out into our relationships—beginning in the family of God.
That kind of life is the life God is wanting for us and it leads to love. First, love for our brothers and sisters, then love for all.
Brotherly Kindness. This is translated with a variety of phrases:
-brotherly affection - ESV, NLT
-the quality of brotherliness - Phillips
-Brotherly Kindness- NASB
-Mutual Affection - NIV
The Greek word here is familiar. Greek: Philadelphia - the love of brothers.
When we have Philadelphia we begin to have a different relationship with those around us in the church.
“A transformed life should lead to transformed relationships.” (Cortez)
Bob Deffenbaugh wrote, " …is the kind of love saints should have for one another as fellow-believers. It is a love based in part on what we share in common with the One we love. There is a certain element of reciprocity involved, for ideally we should be a blessing to our brother in Christ, and he should be a blessing to us.”
I want to share four truths about Brotherly Kindness that will help us see how important it is.
1. Brotherly Kindness Starts at the Cross.
The moment we obey the gospel, we’re born again—not just into new life, but into a new family. And in that family, love is the first responsibility.
1 Peter 1:22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
Peter is talking about the time when they gave themselves to the Lord. Notice verse 23: “For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.” (NLT)
Peter says this kind of love is to be “sincere” (ASV: unfeigned, CEB: genuine, LSB: without hypocrisy) and “deep” (literally: “at full stretch”). It's the love of someone straining every muscle in a race. This isn’t surface-level kindness; it’s gospel-shaped sacrifice. This describes the kind of effort that needs to be put into loving our Christian family.
Romans 12:10 “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
Harmon: Brotherly love is a byproduct of obeying the truth of the gospel (1 Peter 1:22) and must be intentionally pursued.
Gospel-shaped love doesn’t stop at our baptism—it reshapes how we handle disappointment, offense, and tension in the body of Christ. That’s why Peter tells us…
2. Brotherly Kindness Doesn't Clash, it Covers.
It doesn't ignore sin—but it doesn’t broadcast every offense. Love chooses grace over grudge.
1 Peter 4:8 “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”
In any close relationship, friction is inevitable. That’s why Peter calls us to a love that covers sins—not by ignoring them, but by refusing to broadcast, exaggerate, or weaponize them.
As Lenski put it, “Love hides [sins] from its own sight… Hate does the opposite—it pries about, exaggerates, and gloats.” Brotherly kindness chooses restraint. It asks: “Can I let this go?” If I can, love covers that offense.
Include a moment to apply this: Is there a grudge I’m holding? Am I looking for faults more than fruit in my brother?
Love covers sins
-This does not mean that we turn a blind eye towards sin.
-It does mean that we do not make an issue about just everything.
Michael Green (via Harvey): “This gift has to be worked at. Love for the brethren entails bearing one another’s burdens, and so fulfilling the law of Christ; it means guarding that Spirit-given unity from destruction by gossip, prejudice, narrowness, and the refusal to accept a brother Christian for what he is in Christ.”
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
1 John 4:21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."
3. Brotherly Kindness is Our New Identity
Brotherly Kindness is the Fruit of Our Identity. This is who we are now. Children of God love God's other children. God teaches us, Christ models it, and the Spirit empowers it.
-Taught by God – 1 Thess 4:9
-Empowered by the gospel – 1 John 5:1
-Sustained in the church – Heb 13:1
-Brotherly kindness is taught by God.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.
Copeland: The Father teaches the meaning of love through the giving of His son (1 John 4:9-10). The Son demonstrates true love by the example of His sacrifice (1 John 3:16).
- Brotherly kindness Empowered by the Gospel
1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.
- Brotherly kindness is sustained in the church.
Hebrews 13:1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.
Francis Chan, in his book Letters to the Church, wrote, “You can’t love God without loving His children. The way we treat one another reveals what we really believe about God."
4. Brotherly Kindness Follows the Heart of Jesus
Think of Jesus kneeling to wash the disciples’ feet—Judas included. Or cooking breakfast for Peter after denial. That’s brotherly kindness in sandals.
Jesus loved imperfect people. He corrected them, forgave them, believed in them, and never gave up. That’s the heart we’re called to imitate—especially within the church.
Jesus loved all people, but had a special heart for his disciples. He showed us that brotherly kindness doesn’t depend on perfection—but on love.
If Jesus could love them at their worst, surely we can love each other in our struggles.
Conclusion
Brotherly Kindness:
-Starts at the Cross
-Shines brightest in relational friction
-Reflects our identity as God’s family
-Follows in the footsteps of Jesus
Ask yourself:
Am I aware of the needs around me—or just absorbed in my own?
Am I connected in genuine fellowship—or just attending events?
Am I sincere in my love—or just polite?
What would happen in our church if brotherly kindness ruled our relationships? If people didn’t just feel welcomed—but carried, forgiven, pursued, and honored? That’s the kind of love Jesus died for—and it’s the kind of love that makes the gospel visible.
Jackie Hill Perry “The church is where the love of God should be most clearly seen. And that love doesn’t just welcome—it sticks around, it carries burdens, it confronts sin, it forgives, it stays.”
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Discussion Questions
1. When you hear the phrase “brotherly kindness,” what comes to mind? Who is someone that has shown it to you recently?
2. How would you describe the connection between spiritual maturity and how we treat fellow believers?
3. In our text, 2 Peter 1:5–7, why do you think brotherly kindness comes right before love in this list? What is the difference between “brotherly kindness” and “love” as described here?
4. In 1 Peter 1:22–23, what does it mean to love each other “deeply from the heart” or “fervently”? What is the connection between obeying the gospel and loving others?
6. 1 Peter 4:8, Peter writes that “love covers a multitude of sins”. How do we balance grace and truth when a fellow believer sins? Have you ever had to decide whether to “cover” an offense in love or confront it? How did you know what to do?
7. How does our love for God directly affect our love for fellow Christians?
8. How easy or difficult is it for you to love fellow Christians—especially those who frustrate or disappoint you?
9. What’s one practical way you can grow in brotherly kindness this week?
10. How can we help new believers experience brotherly kindness in a meaningful way?
“This kind of loving can come only from a changed heart, from one whose motives are pure, and who seeks to give more than he takes.” (John Walvoord)
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Resources for this Series Include...
Austin, Daniel. Be Certain, Sermon Series.
https://sermoncentral.com/sermon-series/be-certain-sermon-series-from-daniel-austin-5895
Barclay, William. The Daily Study Bible: The Letters of James and Peter. Westminster Press, 1960.
Clear, James. Atomic Habits. Avery Press, 2018.
Cole, Steven J. Growing in Godliness
http://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-3-growing-godliness-2-peter-15-7
Copeland, Mark. Growing in the Knowledge of Jesus Christ Sermons
https://executableoutlines.com/topical_series/growing-knowledge-jesus-christ/
Cortez, Enrich. Our Pursuit for Growth Sermon series.
https://sermoncentral.com/sermon-series/our-pursuit-for-our-growth-sermon-series-from-eyriche-cortez-999
Criswell, W. A. The Seven Christian Graces
https://wacriswell.com/sermons/1974/the-seven-christian-graces/
Deffinbaugh, Bob. The Pursuit of Christian Character
https://bible.org/seriespage/pursuit-christian-character-2-peter-15-7
Fox, Michael. Complete in Christ. Xulon Press, 2007.
Harmon, Matthew S. ESV Expository Commentary, Volume XII Hebrews - Revelation. Crossway, 2018.
Harvey, Robert and Philip H. Towner. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: 2 Peter and Jude. InterVarsity Press, 2009.
Helm, David R. Preaching the Word Series: 1 & 2 Peter and Jude. Crossway, 2008.
Mathis, David. Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines. Crossway, 2016.
Shelly, Rubel. Something to Hold On To: Studies in First and Second Peter. 21st Century Christian, 1985.
Warden, Duane. 1 & 2 Peter and Jude. Truth for Today Commentary Series, Resource Publications, 2009.
Note: The next lesson, and the final in this series, will appear around August 10, 2025.
