1st Peter 3:8
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
After speaking on marital relations between believers, Peter now addresses the relationship of believers to one another.
1. ''be ye all of one mind,"
He first calls for unity, harmony within the body of Christ. Though there may be things believers disagree about, we should stay focused on the essential tenets of faith and conduct and the crystal clear teaching of the Holy scriptures we all can agree upon.
Paul wrote this to the Romans about issues of conscious that could have caused contention.
Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
2."having compassion one of another"
In addition to unity, believers are to be sympathetic with one another, be able to share the feelings of one another, just because one person has teflon skin does not mean all do. We should show sympathy for others, sympathetic of feelings and circumstances. I am reminded of Paul's admonition to the Philippians.
Philippians 2:1-4 KJVS
[1] If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, [2] Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. [3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [4] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. …
3."love as brethren"
In addition to unity and sympathy there is also to be brotherly love within the fellowship of believers. We are to love as family, by the saving grace of Jesus we are all part of the family of God.
4."be pitiful"
Next Peter states we are to be pitiful, not pitiful as we know by thinking someone in a bad way is pitiful, but pitiful as in being full of pity, full of compassion, tender-hearted. This is much like what was stated earlier in the verse that said "having compassion one of another" which is where we get the word sympathy from, which is dealing more with feeling sympathy whereas the word "pitiful" is speaking of being tenderhearted, compassionate. It is hard to differentiate between the two but perhaps sympathy is the feeling or attitude we have and being " pitiful", tenderhearted is going deeper and maybe a call to action.
5."courteous"
The last part of this verse calls for courtesy, which just means to be friendly of mind or kind. This is how we are to be towards one another and I believe towards the world as well. Friendliness and kindness should be our approach to one another another. Snubbing, talking down to people hateful hurtful speech, insults and any other unbecoming behavior should not be done by the saints and as a body of believers we should endeavor that as we come together that it is not named among us.
In summation, may we strive for unity in the essential truths of the faith, emphasis on truth.
May we have and show sympathy for one another, being sympathetic of the feelings and circumstances of others.
May we realize that we are family and labor to promote and love as family and I might add promote a feeling ad atmosphere of brotherly love among us.
May we be tenderhearted and full of compassion, not just feeling compassion but putting compassion into action.
May we be clothed upon with kindness and friendliness.
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