1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
Truth to Learn
God has specific expectations regarding how we are to treat each other.
Behind the Words
The construction of this verse is very interesting. He says “Finally,” summing up what he has been saying about how we are all to live in relation to one another. This is followed by a series of adjectives. There is no verb present. It is implied as a command “to be.” Thus, the translation “Finally, all of you be.”
“Of one mind” is from homophrōn, made up of homo, meaning “all the same” and a form of phrēn, which specifically refers to the feelings, but by extension it refers to “the mind.” Hence, this means “the same mind” or “the same thinking.”
The word translated “having compassion for one another” is sumpatheis, from which we get out English word “sympathy.” It is made up of sun, meaning “together” and a form of pathos, meaning “strong feelings, either good or bad.” Hence, it literally means “feeling joys and sorrows with each other.”
The next word is philadelphos, which is made up of a form of philos, meaning “friend” and adelphos, meaning “brother.” Hence, it refers to being “brother friendly.” The noun form of this word is often translated as “brotherly love.”
The word translated “tenderhearted” is eusplangchnos, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and splangchnos, which literally refers to “the intestines.” This may seem strange to us, but in the first century it was believed that emotional feelings came from the intestines. Hence this word refers to “good emotions” toward one another.
“Courteous” is translated from tapeinophrones, made up of tapeinos, meaning “low, particularly in attitude or social position” and a form of phrēn, referring to the mind. So this word literally means “humble minded.”
Meaning Explained
Peter now summarizes how we all are to behave in this life. A few verses back Peter said that Christ was our example of how we ought to suffer patiently when we suffer for doing good. He is, in fact, our ultimate example of living. Think of how Christ lived his life here on earth as you read this translation of today’s verse concerning how we are to live our lives:
And in conclusion, all of you be agreeable, be sympathetic, be a friend to your brothers, be compassionate, be humble minded.
The world will not treat you this way! In fact, if you behave this way you will probably suffer for it. Will you suffer patiently?
Whether He was a baby in a manger, a teacher, a healer or a savior on the cross, Jesus was always… agreeable, sympathetic, brotherly friendly, compassionate, and humble.
Application
Do these words describe you in your relationships with other Christians? If not, then pray to the Father to help you develop these attributes in your daily walk.
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2009 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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