1 Peter 3:8

1 Peter 3:8 ‘To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;'

‘To sum up' -This isn't the end of the letter, rather it sums up. section dealing with our obligations to others. Besides obligations to civil government, masters, husbands and wives, we also have an obligation to our brethren.

‘let' -Christians have the ability to remain united. Unity is. choice. God hasn't given the Church an impossible task (Ephesians 4:1). There are doctrines which are essential for unity (Ephesians 4:4; 2 John 1:9) and there are also attitudes.

‘all' -Every Christian has an obligation in this area. It isn't the exclusive task of the elders, deacons, older members or preacher to keep the peace.

‘harmonious' -‘like-minded, united in spirit' (Arndt p. 569); ‘unity of thought and feeling, from “one and the same”, and “the mind”.'(Vincent p. 652) (1 Corinthians 1:10; Romans 12:16; Romans 15:5; 1 Peter 2:2; 1 Peter 2:20). ‘sharing the same thoughts and attitudes, thinking harmoniously' (Grudem p. 146) Points to Note: 1. ‘Some think this is an instruction to do the impossible because people have all sorts of ideas and dispositions.' (Hamilton p. 143) But God doesn't command the impossible. 2. ‘Such unity will only come when Christians are humble and bold enough to lay hold on the unity already given in Christ and to take it more seriously than their own self-importance and sin.' (Barclay p. 268) 3. This commandment infers that the Word of God is so clear and powerful that honest hearts from different backgrounds, with different prejudices and pre-conceived ideas, can come to the same conclusions concerning the truth when they encounter the Bible. 4. But unity will not happen when people insist on cherishing beliefs and attitudes which aren't in harmony with the will of God.

‘sympathetic' -‘suffering or feeling with another' (Thayer p. 596) (Romans 12:15) ‘It is descriptive of one who so identifies with the feeling of another that he or she responds with similar feelings or emotions.. Hebrews 13:3.' (Oberst pp. 160-161) ‘One thing is clear, sympathy and selfishness cannot co-exist. So long as the self is the most important thing in the world, there can be no such thing as sympathy. Sympathy depends on the willingness to forget self, to step outside self, and to identify oneself with the pains and sorrows of others.' (Barclay p. 268) Sympathy also ‘acts' (Matthew 9:36). It is much more than saying, ‘Oh, what. sad situation.'

‘brotherly' -‘full of brotherly love' (TCNT); ‘Philadephos'-fond of one's brethren; ‘lit., brother lovers' (Woods p. 94) (1 Peter 1:22; John 13:34; 1 John 3:16; 1 John 4:20). The Bible is very direct and frank. ‘The simplest test of the reality of our religion is whether or not it makes us love our fellow-man.' (Barclay p. 269) And this is an essential element in any discussion on unity. Christians who really love each other, will make tremendous sacrifices to resolve differences, even doctrinal differences.

‘kindhearted' -‘compassionate, tender-hearted, lit., of good heartedness.' (Vine p. 185) (Ephesians 4:32). ‘The conditions of modern twentieth century life it is easy to lose the cutting edge of pity, and it is still easier to be satisfied with. sentimentalism which feels. moment's comfortable sorrow, and which does nothing about it.' (Barclay p. 269)

‘humble in spirit' -having. modest and honest opinion of oneself (Romans 12:3).. true estimate of our abilities, limitations, weaknesses, etc…The opposite of arrogance (Proverbs 29:23). Unity is impossible to preserve as long as people are more in love with their own ego's than with God. ‘Brethren who are thus minded will not seek to vindicate themselves by irritable behavior in inflicting on others like treatment when they feel they may have been wronged.' (Hamilton p. 145)