Have you noticed that verses 10 through 13 are one sentence and one thought? In studying, reading, and rereading this passage, I have come to realize that we are given the command, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love,” and it is followed by nine instructions that, when put into action, will enable us to accomplish that command.
We will be kindly affectionate with brotherly
love when we give preference to one another (v10), when we do not lag in diligence (v11); when we are fervent in spirit (v11), and when we serve the Lord (v11); when we rejoice in hope (v12),
are patient in tribulation (v12), and
continue steadfastly in prayer (v12);
when we distribute to the needs of the poor (v13), and when we are given to hospitality (v13).
We have already studied the first four
instructions for the command – here’s a quick review:
- When we give preference to one another and consider our brethren before ourselves, we show that we value them – that they are important to us and vital to the work.
- When we do not lag in diligence, our brethren will know they can count on us to work alongside them (Nehemiah 4:6, 2 Corinthians 8:5), and through our stick-to-itiveness, we may be able to encourage less involved brethren to become more active in the work and more dedicated in their service to God and to their brethren (Hebrews 10:24-25).
- When we are fervent in spirit we show that our motivation comes from our unshakeable convictions that God is, and that His way is the best way (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 15:58); our inevitable growth will be evident to all (1 Timothy 4:12-16) as we cheerfully do our part in the work.
- When we serve the Lord, we prove our love for our brethren (read and think on 1 John 5:2-3). In serving the Lord, we show them that God is worthy of our every effort in obedience, that what He asks of us can be done, that it is always for our good, and that His blessings far outweigh any of our sacrifices. In serving the Lord we prepare ourselves to love our brethren with kindly affection!
Now, let’s
dig into the continuing instructions that will help us to obey the command to be
kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love:
“…rejoicing in hope. Patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayers…” (Romans 12:12 NKJV)
“…rejoicing in hope…”
Rejoicing (Strong’s #G5463, ‘chairo’) means be glad,
joyful with inner joy and delight. Consider Philippians 4:4.
Hope (Strong’s #G1680, ‘elpis’) means expectation,
trust, confidence, anticipation. Read and think on Psalm 16:8-9, 130: 5-6,
and Romans 8:24-25
So
rejoicing in hope is letting your confident anticipation of God’s blessings in
this life (and in the one to come, 1 John 3:1-3) fill you with a lasting joy
and delight that buoys you in sorrows (Psalm
27:13-14, 34:), anchors you during the storms (Matthew 7:24-27), and overflows when you are with those who also share
this hope (Philippians 1:3-4, 1 Peter
1:3-9).
“…patient in tribulation…”
Patient (Strong’s #G5278 ‘hupomeno’) means enduring,
persevering, remaining steadfast. Literally: remaining under the load,
bearing up*. It means that we absolutely persevere through misfortunes and
trials because we are holding fast to our faith and clinging to what is good.
*Note: Take a moment to read Psalm 144:12. It is a stanza in David’s song to the LORD in which he asks to be rescued from enemies so that the sons of his people may grow as plants, and so their daughter’s may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style. It’s a prayer that the girls may grow up to be strong women who are able to bear up with elegance under life’s burdens. Read and think on 1 Peter 3:1-4 also.
Tribulation (Strong’s #G2347 ‘thlipsis’) means affliction, distress, severe persecution,
pressure, or oppression.
How do you remain patient in tribulations? By practicing and developing patience
in the various trials that test us throughout the day and allowing patience to
have its perfect work so that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4). We can do this by keeping God
and His benefits in our minds (Psalm 68:19,
103:1-2), knowing God is on His throne and is aware of our situation (Psalm 11:3-4, 7, Psalm 34, 1 Peter 2:2:23),
knowing our brethren are counting on us to hold the line and not give opportunity
to the devil (Psalm 4:4-5, 37:7-8, Ephesians
4:26-27, 6:10-13).
“…continuing steadfastly in prayer…”
Continuing steadfastly (Strong’s #G4342 ‘proskartereo’) means to devote oneself, to persist in, to be strong and enduring towards, to give constant attention to (prayer). See 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Prayer (Strong’s #G4335 ‘proseuche’) means a prayer (or vow) towards God. Communicating to God through supplication (earnest pleading for what is needed), intercession (asking help for others), thanksgiving, and adoration (praise).
Communicating
with God continually – never giving up on it – is a benefit to our brethren and
shows our love for them in that it helps us develop as followers of Christ - so
we can better help and serve them – AND it gives us opportunity to pray for
each and every one of them; that God may help them reach their full potential.
Rejoicing
in hope will help us to be patient in tribulation (consider Philippians 4:4-8, 11-13) and keep us steadfast in prayer
as we stay focused on what is truly important (Colossians 3:1-17). Continuing steadfastly in prayer will also fortify
us to be patient in tribulation and it will remind us to rejoice in hope as we
consider God, His goodness, and His power. Each part is necessary, each part
supports and strengthens the others – and we cannot properly love our brethren
without them!
Are you rejoicing in hope? Are you patient in
tribulations? Are you continuing steadfastly in prayer? If one of these is missing in your
life it will be a struggle to accomplish the rest, and as a result you will be
hard-pressed to love your brethren as you should. Think about these things this
week and work at developing each one so that we can flourish in kindly
affection and brotherly love for your brothers and sister in Christ!
You can do
it! So can I!!
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