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1. All men ought to love each other as men because brethren by Adam. The world is one common family, split up by sin, but to be united again by Christian love.

2. All Christians ought to love each other, because begotten by one Spirit. Grace has done little for those who indulge in the same feelings as unregenerate worldlings.

3. All Christian Churches ought to love each other because under the rule of the same King. Alas, how little do we see of this! Paul lays down three rules for the guidance of Christians towards each other.

I. BE KINDLY AFFECTIONED. The world's morality says, Take care of self. Paul teaches the reverse. Scoffers say that many moral men are better than professors. Not better than true professors. And besides, the world must remember that it is indebted to Christianity for its high-toned morality. Christianity has developed the spirit of disinterestedness and self-sacrifice in the world. The affection of the text is not the sympathy, assistance and respect which prevail among moral men, but an affection begotten of love to God.

II. IN BROTHERLY LOVE. What more beautiful than a harmonious family — defending each other's characters, and caring for each other's wants. This — only purer, brighter, more fervent — should be seen in the Church. Each Christian should defend his brother, help the weak, and regard all with unbounded charity. Brotherly love avoids saying or doing anything that would offend the modesty or honour of a brother.

III. IN HONOUR PREFERRING ONE ANOTHER. In love and honour outdoing each other. Taking the lead, showing the example in giving honour. How often we strive to outdo each other in getting honour! If there must be contention, let it be an honest strife who shall be most humble and useful. We should in honour prefer one another because —

1. We know ourselves best. We know our evil hearts, and looking into them, we can easily believe that others are better and more deserving.

2. It would curb uncharitable thought, and uncharitable speech.

3. It would tend to the cultivation of the grace of humility.Lessons:

1. Cherish no evil towards a brother. No Church can prosper which is not united by the love of God.

2. Resentment is almost sure to beget resentment.

3. He that would be the most honoured must be the most humble.

(J. E. Hargreaves.)

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KJV: Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

WEB: In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another;