The article “Let Brotherly Love Continue” by Don Fortner centers on the critical theological doctrine of love within the Christian community, as highlighted in Hebrews 13:1-2. Fortner argues that true godliness is demonstrated through brotherly love, contrasting it with mere ritualistic observance of rules, which he describes as “vain traditions.” He emphasizes that Christian love must be active and expressed through deeds, not just words, correlating this with several biblical passages including Galatians 5:22 and 1 John 3:14-18. The practical significance of this doctrine is profound, urging believers to actively love and support one another as an essential manifestation of their faith, which Fortner equates with entertaining “strangers” who are believers, suggesting that this love might even connect them with divine messengers.
Key Quotes
“Nothing is more like our Savior than love. Nothing is more unlike him than the absence of love.”
“Love is manifest by deeds... If we love one another we bear one another's burdens. That's how Christ loves us.”
“When the Apostle tells us to entertain strangers... We have a responsibility to protect our families.”
“Entertaining one of his people is entertaining him.”
What does the Bible say about brotherly love?
The Bible encourages believers to let brotherly love continue, emphasizing its importance in the Christian community.
Moreover, the Apostle Paul underscores that godliness is measured by love, moving beyond mere rituals or traditions. The love discussed in these scriptures is a special bond among God's children, rooted in their common faith in Christ. This love should characterize the lives of believers and manifest in practical, everyday actions that reflect Christ's love for us.
Hebrews 13:1-2, 1 John 3:14-18, Galatians 5:22
How do we know love is important for Christians?
Love is essential for Christians as it reflects true faith and is the evidence of Christ's presence in their lives.
Moreover, love is not just an emotion but is expressed through actions. The Christian life is to be characterized by love that is actively demonstrated through caring for one another and fulfilling God's commandments. As believers increasingly grow in their love for Christ, it naturally overflows into their love for each other, validating their faith and obedience. Thus, love isn't simply important; it is the very essence of what it means to be a follower of Christ and reflects God’s nature within us.
John 13:35, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Matthew 25:38-40
Why is hospitality important for Christians?
Hospitality is crucial for Christians as it reflects their love for others and fulfills God's command to care for one another.
Moreover, the practice of hospitality aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized serving others as an act of service to Him (Matthew 25:38-40). As Christians embrace hospitality, they cultivate a spirit of generosity and love, which reflects the character of Christ. This call to be hospitable is not merely an option but a fundamental aspect of living out one’s faith in community, fostering unity and encouraging one another in the walk of faith.
Hebrews 13:2, Matthew 25:38-40, 1 Peter 4:9
Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. - Hebrews 13:1-2“Let Brotherly Love Continue”
“Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:1-2
How often our Lord encourages us to love one another! Nothing is more like our Savior than love. Nothing is more unlike him than the absence of love. As he brings his Epistle to its inspired conclusion, the Apostle Paul makes his final word of instruction an encouragement to brotherly love. The last chapter of the Book of Hebrews begins with these words—”Let brotherly love continue.”
Paul has been encouraging us to persevere in the faith, to continue in the grace of God, to run with patience the race that is set before us. Then, he says, “Let brotherly love continue.” It is as though he is saying, “The way to run this race, the way to persevere in grace, the way to walk in faith is to keep on loving one another.”
Multitudes live in religious bondage, trying to obey rules and regulations imposed upon them by their leaders. These rules of bondage people everywhere call “practical godliness.” Our Lord calls them “vain traditions,” “works of the flesh,” “a vain show in the flesh,” and “a form of godliness.” Here, in these seven verses of Inspiration, the Holy Spirit shows us that godliness is to be measured by love. This is very much the same thing that James says in James 1:26-27.
Love Expressed by Deeds
First, we see that love is expressed by deeds (vv.1-4). As was his custom, having finished his doctrinal instruction, Paul here applies his doctrine to our everyday lives. He begins the application of his doctrine with these words, “Let brotherly love continue.” He is saying, “Children of God, never cease loving one another. Let nothing divide your hearts. Make it your life’s business to love one another and to show your love to one another. Let brotherly love continue in you and among you.”
We are to love all men, even our enemies; but the love Paul is talking about here is that special family love that God plants in the hearts of his people for one another. It is the love of hearts united to Christ. – “The fruit of the Spirit is love” Gal. 5:22; John 13:35; 1 John 3:7-11; 4:20; 5:1).
I am not talking about lip love. Anyone can say, “I love you,” or “I love my brethren.” Lip love is no love. Love is manifest by deeds. And the deeds, by which the love of Christ in us is manifest, are not matters about which we have to guess. If we love one another, we pray for one another. — That’s how Christ loves us. Isn’t it? If we love one another, we bear one another's burdens. — That’s how Christ loves us. Isn’t it? If we love one another, we are forbearing, patient, longsuffering, and forgiving with one another. — That’s how Christ loves us. Isn’t it? If we love one another, we meet together to encourage and exhort one another. — That’s how Christ loves us. Isn’t it?
If we do not love one another, any profession of faith we have is but a meaningless, vain delusion (1 Pet. 2:17; 1 John 3:14-18; 1 Cor. 13:1-7). Paul says, “Brethren, see that you make this the fixed principle by which you live, the unbroken habit of your lives. Love one another. As you grow in love for Christ, grow in love for one another.”
Hospitality
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (v. 2). Here the Holy Spirit tells us something about how this love for the brethren is to be expressed. Love is hospitable, given to hospitality. We know that a pastor must be a man given to hospitality; but the reason that is a requirement for one who preaches the gospel is simply the fact that faith in Christ makes people loving, gracious, hospitable.
The Amplified Version gives us an excellent paraphrase of this verse. — “Do not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to strangers [in the brotherhood ― being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
We must never neglect or fail to care for and meet the needs of God’s people in this world. When the Apostle tells us to “entertain strangers” he is not suggesting that we open our homes and invite people into them who are strangers to us, though that may certainly be included. We have a responsibility to protect our families. The strangers he speaks of here are the “strangers” spoken of in verse 13 of chapter 11. They are our brethren who are “strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” We must never fail to use that which God has trusted to our hands, as stewards in his house, to benefit, minister to, and comfort his people in this world. We are to make it a matter of conscious effort to be friendly, cordial, and gracious toward God’s people (especially those who cannot return the kindness), sharing the comforts and provisions of our homes generously.
When you invite one of God’s people into your home and into your life, you may just be inviting an angel of God, a special messenger of God into your home and life ― “for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Gen. 18:1-8; 19:1-3; Lk. 24:28-31). And our Savior tells us that entertaining one of his people is entertaining him (Matt. 25:38-40).
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