1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
Peter now gives the overarching idea in summary. After talking to slaves, wives, and husbands, he returns to the key idea that lies at the basis of this part of the letter. Peter gives five activities that believers should seek to have. All the rest of the church should follow in the pattern of Jesus given at the end of chapter 2. Everyone must have the same mindset as Jesus who gave his life up and willingly suffered even though he was innocent and without sin. He took the sins of others upon himself. Believers should also be sympathetic. This Greek word literally means “to suffer with.” This fits well with the suffering of Jesus who became one like us and took our sins upon himself even though he was innocent. We can read this whole passage through the lens of Jesus’ own suffering. Believers also should love one another. The word used here is philadelphoi which is an affectionate, friendly, relational type of love that is developed in community and mutuality giving. Believers should have compassion to one another. This word describes the tender feelings one has for another. The word is related to the gut sensations or “butterflies” we feel in some situations. And finally, humility is what will make all this possible. It is the common element that glues all the other attributes together. Humility is related to submission. Humility means putting the needs of others ahead of our own. Seeking to follow the example of Jesus will help us in our family, church, and world relationships. It will not be easy. It may even cost us comfort. We may even end up suffering like Jesus.
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