Brotherly Love vs Divine Love

 

Brotherly Love vs Divine Love

John 13:34-35: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

1 John 4:8,16: "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."

1 Peter 2:17: "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor."

1 John 4:10-11: "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

 

Aspect	Brotherly Love (Philadelphia)	Divine Love (Agape)
Meaning	A love characterized by joy and happiness between brothers	God's essence in His nature, the highest and most sublime form of love
Characteristics	• Relatively superficial and limited • May be affected by emotional fluctuations • May show favoritism • Often based on emotional level	• Profound and noble • Consistent • Not affected by emotions • Originates from divine life
Description	The foundation for maintaining brotherly relationships, but needs to develop into a higher form of love	The ultimate development of divine nature, full of wisdom, able to supply according to needs
Core Scripture	• 1 Peter 3:8: "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." • Galatians 6:10: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." • John 15:16-17: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other."	• Ephesians 3:19: "and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." • 2 Peter 1:7: "and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love." • 2 Peter 1:5-7: "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love."
Practical Guidelines	• Galatians 5:13: "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." • Romans 12:10: "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."	• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
Examples	• Enthusiastically helping others when emotionally uplifted • Showing special affection to certain brothers based on personal preference • Expressing care only when feeling good	• Providing appropriate love according to actual needs • Loving all people without discrimination • Maintaining love even in difficult times
Application	• Serving one another in church life • Supporting each other in difficulties • Sharing in joy together • Manifesting God in godliness • Maintaining brotherly relationships • Bearing witness to the world • Bearing fruit	• Loving without expecting returns • Loving with God's wisdom and perspective • Continuing to love in all circumstances • Distributing love according to individual needs • Providing healing and supply • Manifesting God's nature
Relationship Between the Two	Brotherly love is the foundation that needs to develop through enjoying God's nature, allowing the divine seed of faith to grow until it reaches divine love. This development process is clearly described in 2 Peter 1:5-7, starting from faith, progressing through multiple stages, and ultimately reaching love for all (divine love).

 

Conclusion: This comprehensive comparison helps us to:

1.      Understand the complete definitions and characteristics of both types of love

2.      Reference the relevant biblical basis

3.      Follow practical guidelines

4.      Apply these loves in Christian life

5.      Understand the developmental relationship between these two types of love

 

*Please refer to the 2024 Thanksgiving International Blending Conference for God’s Economy, Living the Christian Life and the Church Life under God’s Administration, Chapter 6 Participating in the Divine Nature and Developing the Divine Life and the Divine Nature , enter the eternal kingdom with abundance