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Sunday, August 17th, 2025
the Week of Proper 15 / Ordinary 20
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Read the Bible

THE MESSAGE

Romans 12:10

This verse is not available in the MSG!

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Affections;   Commandments;   Fraternity;   Humility;   Love;   Religion;   Respect;   Unselfishness;   Thompson Chain Reference - Brotherly Kindness;   Daily Duty;   Duty;   Kindness;   Kindness-Cruelty;   Social Duties;   The Topic Concordance - Honor;   Kindness;   Laziness;   Love;   Patience;   Prayer;   Rejoice;   Service;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Affections, the;   Conduct, Christian;   Love to Man;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Schism;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Brother;   Holy spirit;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Honor;   Hospitality;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Alms;   Elder;   Hospitality;   Means of Grace;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Brotherly Love;   Church;   Romans, Book of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Brotherly Love;   Kindness;   Love, Lover, Lovely, Beloved;   Romans, Epistle to the;   Spiritual Gifts;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Brotherhood (2);   Brotherly Love;   Discipline;   Family;   Fellowship;   Fellowship (2);   Honour;   Neighbour (2);   Perseverance;   Soberness Sobriety;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Affect;   Brotherly Kindness;   Love;   Prefer;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Brotherly Love;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for December 8;   Every Day Light - Devotion for April 18;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Outdo one another in showing honor.
King James Version (1611)
Bee kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly loue, in honour preferring one another.
King James Version
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
English Standard Version
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
New American Standard Bible
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor,
New Century Version
Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves.
Amplified Bible
Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor;
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
Legacy Standard Bible
being devoted to one another in brotherly love, giving preference to one another in honor,
Berean Standard Bible
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
Contemporary English Version
Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself.
Complete Jewish Bible
Love each other devotedly and with brotherly love; and set examples for each other in showing respect.
Darby Translation
as to brotherly love, kindly affectioned towards one another: as to honour, each taking the lead in paying it to the other:
Easy-to-Read Version
Love each other in a way that makes you feel close like brothers and sisters. And give each other more honor than you give yourself.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Be affectioned to loue one another with brotherly loue. In giuing honour, goe one before another,
George Lamsa Translation
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;
Good News Translation
Love one another warmly as Christians, and be eager to show respect for one another.
Lexham English Bible
being devoted to one another in brotherly love, esteeming one another more highly in honor,
Literal Translation
in brotherly love to one another, loving fervently, having gone before one another in honor;
American Standard Version
In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;
Bible in Basic English
Be kind to one another with a brother's love, putting others before yourselves in honour;
Hebrew Names Version
In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another;
International Standard Version
Be devoted to each other with mutual affection. Excel in showing respect for each other.Philippians 2:3; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 1:22; 2:17; 3:8; 5:5; 2 Peter 1:7;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
Be tender to your brethren, and love one another, being forward to honour one another.
Murdock Translation
Be affectionate to your brethren: and love one another. Be foremost in honoring one another.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Affectioned one to another with brotherly loue, in geuyng honour, go one before another.
English Revised Version
In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honour preferring one another;
World English Bible
In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another;
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
In brotherly love be full of tender affection toward each other, in honour preferring one another:
Weymouth's New Testament
As for brotherly love, be affectionate to one another; in matters of worldly honour, yield to one another.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
louynge togidere the charite of britherhod. Eche come bifore to worschipen othere;
Update Bible Version
In love of the brothers be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;
Webster's Bible Translation
[Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;
New English Translation
Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another.
New King James Version
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
New Living Translation
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
New Life Bible
Love each other as Christian brothers. Show respect for each other.
New Revised Standard
love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
In your brotherly love, unto one another, being tenderly affectioned, in honour, unto one another, giving preference;
Douay-Rheims Bible
Loving one another with the charity of brotherhood: with honour preventing one another.
Revised Standard Version
love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Be kynde one to another with brotherly love. In gevynge honoure goo one before another.
Young's Literal Translation
in the love of brethren, to one another kindly affectioned: in the honour going before one another;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Be kynde one to another with brotherly loue. In geuynge honoure go one before another.
Mace New Testament (1729)
in brotherly kindness be passionately affected to one another; in honour prefer one another:
Simplified Cowboy Version
Let there be no deception in your love for others. Be authentic like cowboys should.

Contextual Overview

1So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. 3 I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. 4In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't. If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face. Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. 7Place Your Life Before God So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't. If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face. Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. 8Place Your Life Before God So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't. If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face. 9Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. 11Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. 14Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. 17Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." 20Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

kindly: John 13:34, John 13:35, John 15:17, John 17:21, Acts 4:32, Galatians 5:6, Galatians 5:13, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 4:1-3, Colossians 1:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, Hebrews 13:1, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 2:17, 1 Peter 3:8, 1 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 1:7, 1 John 2:9-11, 1 John 3:10-18, 1 John 4:11, 1 John 4:20, 1 John 4:21, 1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:2

with brotherly love: or, in the love of the brethren, Job 1:4, Psalms 133:1

in honour: Genesis 13:9, Matthew 20:26, Luke 14:10, Philippians 2:3, 1 Peter 5:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:8 - brethren Exodus 18:9 - General Numbers 12:2 - hath he not Numbers 16:10 - and seek Ruth 2:10 - Why have Job 18:3 - Wherefore Jeremiah 38:12 - Put Matthew 5:22 - his brother Matthew 18:1 - Who Matthew 20:21 - Grant Matthew 23:6 - General Matthew 26:33 - yet Mark 9:34 - they had Mark 10:41 - they Luke 9:46 - General Luke 11:43 - for Luke 20:46 - which Luke 22:24 - General John 13:14 - ye also John 15:12 - General 1 Corinthians 12:16 - is it Ephesians 3:8 - who am Ephesians 4:32 - kind Colossians 3:12 - mercies 3 John 1:9 - who loveth

Cross-References

Genesis 12:1
God told Abram: "Leave your country, your family, and your father's home for a land that I will show you.
Genesis 12:2
I'll make you a great nation and bless you. I'll make you famous; you'll be a blessing. I'll bless those who bless you; those who curse you I'll curse. All the families of the Earth will be blessed through you."
Genesis 12:4
So Abram left just as God said, and Lot left with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot with him, along with all the possessions and people they had gotten in Haran, and set out for the land of Canaan and arrived safe and sound. Abram passed through the country as far as Shechem and the Oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites occupied the land.
Genesis 12:8
He moved on from there to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent between Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. He built an altar there and prayed to God .
Genesis 12:18
Pharaoh called for Abram, "What's this that you've done to me? Why didn't you tell me that she's your wife? Why did you say, ‘She's my sister' so that I'd take her as my wife? Here's your wife back—take her and get out!"
Genesis 43:1
The famine got worse. When they had eaten all the food they had brought back from Egypt, their father said, "Go back and get some more food."
Genesis 47:13
The time eventually came when there was no food anywhere. The famine was very bad. Egypt and Canaan alike were devastated by the famine. Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan to pay for the distribution of food. He banked the money in Pharaoh's palace. When the money from Egypt and Canaan had run out, the Egyptians came to Joseph. "Food! Give us food! Are you going to watch us die right in front of you? The money is all gone."
Ruth 1:1
Once upon a time—it was back in the days when judges led Israel— there was a famine in the land. A man from Bethlehem in Judah left home to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The man's name was Elimelech; his wife's name was Naomi; his sons were named Mahlon and Kilion—all Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They all went to the country of Moab and settled there.
2 Samuel 21:1
There was a famine in David's time. It went on year after year after year—three years. David went to God seeking the reason. God said, "This is because there is blood on Saul and his house, from the time he massacred the Gibeonites."
2 Kings 4:38
Elisha went back down to Gilgal. There was a famine there. While he was consulting with the guild of prophets, he told his servant, "Put a large pot on the fire and cook up some stew for the prophets."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love,.... This is one branch of that love, before advised to, which should be unfeigned, and without guile and deceit. The objects of this grace are "brethren", not in such sense as all the descendants of Adam are, or men of the same country be, or as such who are born of the same parents in a natural sense are; to each of whom love is due under their respective characters and relations: but such who are so in a spiritual sense, who are born of God, are of his household, belong to his family, are the brethren of Christ, and one another; and are either members of the same church, incorporated together in the same church state, or at least members of Christ, and of the church universal. Now love to these should be kind, tender, and affectionate, reciprocal and mutual; such should love one another; there should be no love wanting on either side; and it ought to be universal, and reach to all the saints, though of different gifts, light, knowledge and experience, or whether high or low, rich or poor; and should show itself by bearing one another's burdens, bearing with, and forbearing each other, forgiving one another, and by edifying one another in their most holy faith, and praying with, and for one another.

In honour preferring one another; saints should think honourably of one another, and entertain an honourable esteem of each other; yea, should esteem each other better thou themselves; and not indulge evil surmises, and groundless jealousies of one another, which is contrary to that love that thinks no evil. They should speak honourably of each other in Christian company, and discourage that evil practice of whisperings, backbitings, and innuendos; they should treat each other with honour and respect in their common conversation, and especially when met together as a church of Christ. They should go before each other in giving honour, and showing respect, as the word προηγουμενος, signifies: they should set each other an example; and which also may be taken into the sense of the word, should prevent one another, not waiting until respect is shown on one side to return it again. Nor does this rule at all break in upon that order that should subsist, and be maintained in bodies civil and ecclesiastical, which requires superior honour to be given to persons according to their character, office, and station in which they are.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Be kindly affectioned - The word used here occurs no where else in the New Testament. It properly denotes tender affection, such as what subsists between parents and children; and it means that Christians should have similar feelings toward each other, as belonging to the same family, and as united in the same principles and interests. The Syriac renders this, “Love your brethren, and love one another;” compare 1 Peter 2:17.

With brotherly love - Or in love to the brethren. The word denotes the affection which subsists between brethren. The duty is one which is often presented in the New Testament, and which our Saviour intended should be regarded as a badge of discipleship; see the note at John 13:34-35, “By this shall all people know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another;” John 15:12, John 15:17; Ephesians 5:2; 1Th 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 2:7-8; 1 John 3:11, 1 John 3:23; 1 John 4:20-21. The apostle Paul in this place manifests his unique manner of writing. He does not simply enjoin brotherly love, but he adds that it should be kindly affectioned. It should be with the tenderness which characterizes the most endearing natural relationship. This he expresses by a word which is made for the occasion (φιλοστοργοὶ philostorgoi), blending love with natural affection, and suffering it to be manifest in your contact with one another.

In honour - In showing or manifesting respect or honor. Not in seeking honor, or striving after respect, but in showing it to one another.

Preferring one another - The word “preferring” means going before, leading, setting an example. Thus, in showing mutual respect and honor, they were to strive to excel; not to see which could obtain most honor, but which could confer most, or manifest most respect; compare 1 Peter 1:5; Ephesians 5:21. Thus, they were to be studious to show to each other all the respect which was due in the various relations of life; children to show proper respect to parents, parents to children, servants to their masters, etc.; and all to strive by mutual kindness to promote the happiness of the Christian community. How different this from the spirit of the world; the spirit which seeks, not to confer honor, but to obtain it; which aims, not to diffuse respect, but to attract all others to give honor to us. If this single direction were to be obeyed in society, it would put an end at once to no small part of the envy, and ambition, and heartburning, and dissatisfaction of the world. It would produce contentment, harmony, love, and order in the community; and stay the progress of crime, and annihilate the evils of strife, and discord, and malice. And especially, it would give order and beauty to the church. It would humble the ambition of those who, like Diotrephes, love to have the pre-eminence 3 John 1:9, and make every man willing to occupy the place for which God has designed him, and rejoice that his brethren may be exalted to higher posts of responsibility and honor.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Romans 12:10. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love — It is difficult to give a simple translation of the original: τῃ φιλαδελφιᾳ εις αλληλους φιλοστοργοι. The word φιλαδελφια signifies that affectionate regard which every Christian should feel for another, as being members of the same mystical body: hence it is emphatically termed the love of the brethren. When William Penn, of deservedly famous memory, made a treaty with the Indians in North America, and purchased from them a large woody tract, which, after its own nature and his name, he called Pennsylvania, he built a city on it, and peopled it with Christians of his own denomination, and called the city from the word in the text, φιλαδελφια, PHILADELPHIA; an appellation which it then bore with strict propriety: and still it bears the name.

The word φιλοστοργος, which we translate kindly affectioned, from φιλος and στοργη, signifies that tender and indescribable affection which a mother bears to her child, and which almost all creatures manifest towards their young; and the word φιλος, or φιλεω, joined to it, signifies a delight in it. Feel the tenderest affection towards each other, and delight to feel it. "Love a brother Christian with the affection of a natural brother."

In honour preferring one another — The meaning appears to be this: Consider all your brethren as more worthy than yourself; and let neither grief nor envy affect your mind at seeing another honoured and yourself neglected. This is a hard lesson, and very few persons learn it thoroughly. If we wish to see our brethren honoured, still it is with the secret condition in our own minds that we be honoured more than they. We have no objection to the elevation of others, providing we may be at the head. But who can bear even to be what he calls neglected? I once heard the following conversation between two persons, which the reader will pardon my relating in this place, as it appears to be rather in point, and is worthy of regard. "I know not," said one, "that I neglect to do any thing in my power to promote the interest of true religion in this place, and yet I seem to be held in very little repute, scarcely any person even noticing me." To which the other replied: "My good friend, set yourself down for nothing, and if any person takes you for something it will be all clear gain." I thought this a queer saying: but how full of meaning and common sense! Whether the object of this good counsel was profited by it I cannot tell; but I looked on it and received instruction.


 
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