Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
What does Romans 12:10 mean?
The professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Romans 12:9-13 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Romans 12:10
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.
Key words
- preferring
-
preferring.
- kindly
-
He does not simply enjoin brotherly love, but he adds that it should be kindly affectioned.
- affectioned
-
He does not simply enjoin brotherly love, but he adds that it should be kindly affectioned.
Context in Romans 12
Show chapter context
Romans 12 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as union with Christ and life in the Spirit. Romans is Paul’s fullest sustained exposition of sin, grace, righteousness, faith, Israel, the Spirit, and transformed life in Christ. Read this chapter with the wider themes of justification, grace, and faith in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
Explore by topic
A guided collection of passages on God’s love, neighbor-love, steadfast covenant love, and the shape of love in Christian life.
Passages on trusting God, receiving Christ, persevering without sight, and the relation between faith and lived obedience.
Key passages on God's unmerited favour, the grace of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, and how grace transforms the way believers live.