Romans 12:10-15
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The verse isn't just asking us to not seek honor for ourselves, but to actively take the lead in giving honor to others. It’s about being proactive in recognizing and elevating those around us, rather than waiting for our own turn in the spotlight. This flips the script on our natural inclination, calling us to a radical, others-focused way of living within God's family.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In this section, Paul shifts from general principles of Christian living to specific instructions for how believers should interact within the community. After emphasizing that love should be genuine and not faked, he then directs believers to show tender affection towards each other, as if they were family, and to actively seek opportunities to honor one another above themselves. This is presented as a vital way to live out the gospel and counter the world's self-serving nature.
Paul uses a special word for love here, one that goes beyond simple friendship. What does it mean to love fellow believers with the tenderness of family?
The verse calls believers to be 'kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love.' The Greek word for 'kindly affectioned' (philostorgos) is unique in the New Testament and carries the weight of deep, natural affection – like that between parents and children or close family members. It’s not just a general goodwill, but a profound, tender care for those within the Christian family.
This goes beyond mere obligation; it’s about fostering a genuine warmth and connection, seeing each other as part of the same spiritual household. It’s about delighting in this shared identity and expressing that delight through action.
In a world that constantly seeks recognition, Paul flips the script. How do we 'outdo one another' in giving honor?
The second part of the verse commands believers to 'outdo one another in showing honor.' This isn't about striving for personal glory or competing to be the most esteemed. Instead, it’s a call to actively and eagerly give honor to others.
The original language suggests 'going before' or 'leading the way' in showing respect. It means anticipating the needs and dignity of others, being the first to offer a word of encouragement, a gesture of kindness, or a recognition of their worth. It’s about a humble eagerness to elevate others, rather than seeking to be elevated ourselves. This counter-cultural attitude stands in stark contrast to the world's drive for self-promotion.
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Understand the original words
philadelphia · Greek Noun
Refers to the familial, tender love shared between members of the household of faith. It acknowledges the spiritual kinship created by God through adoption in Christ.
timē · Greek Noun
The act of showing high regard, esteem, or value to others. It involves recognizing the dignity of others as image-bearers of God and elevating their needs above one's own.
oknēros · Greek Adjective
A state of sluggishness, laziness, or lack of urgency. Biblically, it refers to a failure to apply oneself diligently to the service of God and the duties of the Christian life.
zēlos · Greek Noun
An intense eagerness, passion, or earnestness. In a spiritual context, it describes a burning desire or intense dedication to God’s work.
zeō · Greek Verb
A state of being boiling or aglow. In this context, it refers to being set on fire by the Holy Spirit, characterized by spiritual intensity and vigor.
elpis · Greek Noun
The confident expectation of future blessings based on the promises of God. It is not mere wishful thinking, but a firm assurance of the fulfillment of God’s plan in Christ.
thlipsis · Greek Noun
The capacity for endurance or steadfastness under pressure. It refers to the ability to remain unmoved and faithful during trials, suffering, or testing.
proskartereō · Greek Verb
The act of devoting oneself persistently and unceasingly to communion with God. It emphasizes an active, habitual, and devoted life of talking with the Lord.
hagios · Greek Noun
"Holy ones"; believers set apart by God for His purpose. This term emphasizes the status and collective identity of Christians as people belonging to God.
philoxenia · Greek Noun
Love for strangers. In a biblical context, it refers specifically to the active practice of showing kindness, provision, and welcome to fellow believers and others.
eulogeō · Greek Verb
To speak well of or invoke divine favor upon someone. Biblically, it involves desiring and praying for the spiritual and physical well-being of others, even one's enemies.
diōkō · Greek Verb/Participle
Those who actively pursue, harass, or cause harm to others because of their faith or identification with Christ.
kataraomai · Greek Verb
To invoke divine judgment or harm upon someone. Scripture strictly forbids this, commanding followers of Christ to respond to evil with godly love instead.
This passage echoes the sentiment of genuine, fervent love between believers, emphasizing its purifying effect and its connection to obedience, much like Romans 12:10 calls for deep affection and honor.
John 13:34-35Jesus himself highlights love for one another as the defining mark of His disciples, a foundational principle that fuels the 'brotherly affection' and 'honor' described in Romans 12:10.
Philippians 2:3-4This passage directly parallels the 'honor' aspect of Romans 12:10 by instructing believers not to act out of selfish ambition but to consider others as more important than themselves, looking out for their interests.
1 Thessalonians 4:9This verse confirms the importance of brotherly love ('love for the brothers') within the Christian community, reinforcing the direct command in Romans 12:10 to be tenderly affectionate towards one another.
1 John 3:11This passage reiterates the commandment to love one another as a core Christian ethic, connecting it to the truth we have heard from the beginning, aligning with the call for deep, sincere affection found in Romans 12:10.
ellicottRomans 12:10: "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;"
(10) With brotherly love. —Better translated as in the margin, In love of the brethren (fellow Christians) be kindly affectioned. The word for “kindly affectioned” is specially used of the family relation, and is, therefore, appropriately applied to the brotherhood of the Christian family. Preferring one another.—Rather, perhaps, anticipating one another. The Christian is to take the init…
barnesRomans 12:10: "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;"
Be kindly affectioned - The word used here occurs no where else in the New Testament. It properly denotes tender affection, such as what subsists between parents and children; and it means that Christians should have similar feelings toward each other, as belonging to the same family, and as united in the same principles and interests. The Syriac renders this, "Love your brethren, and lov…
The verse isn't just asking us to not seek honor for ourselves, but to actively take the lead in giving honor to others. It’s about being proactive in recognizing and elevating those around us, rather than waiting for our own turn in the spotlight. This flips the script on our natural inclination, calling us to a radical, others-focused way of living within God's family.
In this section, Paul shifts from general principles of Christian living to specific instructions for how believers should interact within the community. After emphasizing that love should be genuine and not faked, he then directs believers to show tender affection towards each other, as if they were family, and to actively seek opportunities to honor one another above themselves. This is presented as a vital way to live out the gospel and counter the world's self-serving nature.
In this section, Paul shifts from general principles of Christian living to specific instructions for how believers should interact within the community. After emphasizing that love should be genuine and not faked, he then directs believers to show tender affection towards each other, as if they were family, and to actively seek opportunities to honor one another above themselves. This is presented as a vital way to live out the gospel and counter the world's self-serving nature.
"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of…" — The verse isn't just asking us to not seek honor for ourselves, but to actively take the lead in giving honor to others. It’s about being proactive in recognizing and elevating those around us, r…
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Last reviewed October 2026
