A cursory examination of Paul’s life and ministry shows his great love for the brethren. From the time he became a Christian and began his apostleship, his desire to save souls cemented close friendships in his travels.
Everywhere he went he preached the gospel. This was either to save souls, to strengthen brethren, or to give needed admonition to those who were faltering that they might straighten their paths. He suffered privation, persecution and physical calamity with steady resolution in his efforts to convert and secure the salvation of as many as possible.
There are many expressions of that devotion in Paul’s writings and declarations. In Acts 20:31, he told the Ephesian elders, “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” He wrote the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 2:4, “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.” In his epistle to the Philippians, “I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ” (1:7-8). We could go on and on.
His self-identity as a lover of his brethren is especially clear in 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.” It becomes clear that his desire for them is spiritual in nature. His hope, his joy came from the consideration that his brethren would appear in a justified state before Jesus Christ at His coming! What made Paul happiest? Not his own situation – often full of hardship – but that he had influenced some to be reconciled to God for eternity. They were his glory and joy. This was seen in his time in prison when some were preaching the gospel, “from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains” (1:16). Paul’s response, “whether in pretense of in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice” (1:18).
Paul was amazing in his love and concern for his brethren. His zeal and effort, while prodigious, is not above our ability to emulate. Peter, John, Apollos, Barnabas and others – the New Testament is full of such men women who loved their brethren and showed it in their preaching, encouragement, edification, benevolence and hospitality. With this in mind, we should examine ourselves to see where we are in our love for our brethren. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7).
