Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
All believers are called to live together in unity with compassion for one another, love as members of one family, tender pity and courtesy. To be of one mind is to keep the unity of the Spirit by dwelling on what all can agree on rather than on seeming differences, pressing together in prayer and searching of Scripture until understanding is shared. To love as brethren is to live as members of the same household, bought by the same blood and born by the same Spirit, with no superiority, enmity or caste, showing a love that is principle expressed in unselfish deeds rather than mere feeling. Compassion and pity mean tenderheartedness toward one another, toward strangers, families, the erring, the weak and the sick, while courtesy is a grace of the Spirit shown in kind words, gentle speech and considerate daily conduct that gains access to hearts. This life is grounded in the meekness of Christ and shaped by the Holy Spirit after His likeness, and it becomes the most powerful witness for truth when practiced in the home, the church and all work for others.
Words and Phrases
To be of one mind is to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace by dwelling on things all can agree on rather than on seeming differences, while still allowing varied thoughts and different expressions of truth. Believers press together in this unity, for in unity is their strength, refusing to be drawn away, praying and searching Scripture together until they share understanding. This harmony, in which disciples share desire for sanctification by the same Spirit and a renewed heart blending despite differing language and manner, prepares them on earth to belong to heaven's united family.
To love as brethren is to live as members of the same family and royal household, bought by the same blood, born by the same Spirit, members of the same body and nourished from the same Source. It allows no feelings of superiority, enmity, dissension, or caste of wealth, position, talent, or education, and it forbids favoring those who agree while withdrawing from or disparaging those who differ in habit, character, or way of work. It goes with each person relying on God rather than on fellow believers for light, wisdom, direction, sanctification, redemption, and help in every need, and it is a duty and part of the character set by God's Word. The love required is not mere emotion or sentiment but a principle shown in noble, unselfish deeds, so that when it controls God's people all plans and activities are appreciated as coming from one Source.
To have compassion and be pitiful means tenderheartedness, tender pity, and compassionate kindness toward one another, and believers are to treat one another with kindness, courtesy, pity, and tender compassion. It includes tender concern for strangers in need who live among them, and for families by sharing burdens rather than standing apart. It includes helping those humiliated by mistakes as Christ would help, and cherishing divine tenderness toward the weak and erring as Christ's mind clears misunderstandings. It includes patiently bearing the unreasonable demands and fretfulness of the sick without retaliation.
To be courteous is one of the graces of the Spirit and a Bible virtue that gains access to hearts and makes truth attractive, expressing love in the greatest work of dealing with minds where love accomplishes what argument cannot. It applies not only to weighty duties but to the small courtesies and little proprieties of daily life, expressed in kind words, pleasant looks, considerate manner, gentle speech, winning demeanor, and an amiable temper, joined with justice, honesty, faithfulness, uprightness, and trustworthiness. It softens what is hard and rugged in nature, smooths temper and manners, combines purity and integrity with sunniness learned from Christ, and reflects the fruit of the Spirit and Christ's meekness. Christian politeness in bearing, words, and actions is required in every thought, word, and action, so that conduct blesses and refreshes others, and a moment of petulance, a gruff answer, or lack of politeness in a small matter can lose friends and influence.
Courtesy joins firmness to principle as a rock with the Saviour's gentleness, being kind, true, honest, forbearing, upright, and trustworthy. It does not mean winking at sin and corruption, excusing unfaithful stewardship, taking from the treasury needed for suffering mission fields, or overlooking sin. It still gives reproof and rebuke to stop wrongdoing, moving cautiously and circumspectly to economize means and increase rather than cripple the fund and the missionary cause. This includes in health work leaving a right impression even when guiding patients from harmful habits offends them.
Setting in Scripture
In its setting the call to oneness of mind with mutual compassion, brotherly love, pity and courtesy follows the command for husbands to honor their wives as fellow heirs of the grace of life so that prayers are not hindered. It belongs to instruction about home life that is of the greatest consequence, addressed to husband and wife and to all the children of God and to all in the home. The ambition set is not to meet the world's standard nor to seek the applause of the world, but to do the will of the heavenly Father and to be a blessing to those brought in contact, requiring a higher and holier experience than in the past. There it guards children from vain, foolish talk that puts outward adorning of hair, gold and apparel above the inward adorning of a meek and quiet spirit, turning unprofitable conversation about dress and appearance to words that are precious talents for God.
The next verse extends the verse by forbidding repayment of evil or insult with evil or insult and calling believers instead to bless others, since they are called to inherit a blessing. This unity is expressed through blessing rather than retaliation and belongs to a life that builds up the church rather than exalting self, as part of Christian calling. In the face of abuse or false accusation this spirit means refusing retaliation and harmful speech, doing good and seeking peace. The good seed of the Word produces this non-retaliation, and the call is tested in trials and everyday annoyances where self-control and meekness require a soft answer, guarding speech, following Christ's meek example and submitting to discipline rather than letting anger produce harmful words.
The surrounding passage connects loving life and seeing good days with keeping the tongue from evil and deceit, turning from evil to do good, and seeking and pursuing peace. The Lord watches over the righteous and hears their prayers, while He opposes those who do evil. These qualities govern how people treat one another, including spouses, and lead into restraint in speech and the pursuit of peace. Envy and evil speaking are unsafe to welcome, and the tongue can mislead those who are not firmly grounded, and these qualities and duties are among the fruits of God's Spirit. Knowing the truth is not enough, because faith must grasp its deep principles and put them into practical daily life, so that serving God in this life leads to loving life and seeing good days and being happy in the future life.
1 Peter 3:8-10 shows the character of the work before believers. All who consent to be laborers together with God work in Christ's lines, using mental powers with purpose to make those within their influence wise and better, uplifting and strengthening the weak, and making straight paths for the feet lest the lame be turned out of the way. The chapter gives a message of great importance to ministers of the gospel and to ministers' wives and their families, calling them to search deep and make clean work for eternity. The dangers that follow ministers come from different sources, especially from unsanctified, unconverted companions who must be labored for with zeal, lest without the convicting, converting power of the gospel searching hearts there remain an irreligious element in the home. Chapters 3 with 4 and 5 are to be read as very encouraging to those laboring in church capacity, laying out their work under the Holy Spirit upon the heart to secure souls from the service of sin to righteousness, to look carefully and weigh every evidence God has given, and to labor diligently. For church workers it teaches that if a mistake is made the error is to be confessed, and that supposing that strong faith in an accepted idea or doctrine means never making a change and refusing repentance for wrong is a great and dangerous error, because all are erring human beings liable to err and to immortalize accepted theories.
Unity and Love Commanded
Finally all are to be of one mind, having compassion toward one another, loving as family, tenderhearted, kind and courteous. This belongs to the apostles' call for strict unity, and is part of God's appointed means through spiritual gifts to bring the church to unity. It calls for the obedient life shown by deeds and not merely by words, in humble service free from selfish exaltation, with believers united, sanctified through the truth, pure without guile, cooperating with one another and with heavenly beings as God's representatives. Toward all people, and especially toward fellow believers, it is marked by mutual forbearance, respect and tenderness, letting God's peace rule in the heart.
Believers are to press together in loving fellowship as brothers and sisters, joined in prayer and mutual care, helping one another, advising and respecting one another young and old, strengthening one another, guarding one another's interests, persevering in doing good, and working together in humility without exalting self. This unity is their strength, upholding Christ's church which evil powers will not overcome, expressing Christ's prayer and preparing them to stand the coming test. It requires removing suspicion and division even by personal sacrifice, trusting fellow believers' love and Christ's love, since love awakens love. Separation is to be found out and removed by admitting that either party may be wrong and making things right through straightforward unselfish dealings, which removes obstacles, brings blessing and glorifies God. Their part is to protect one another's interests rather than accusing, criticizing or gossiping, standing together in trial in faith and love to reflect Christ.
Obedience forbids prejudice, envy, jealousy, evil surmising, strife, withdrawing from some while binding up with others, faultfinding, criticism, evil speaking, bitter words, unkind actions, cruel thoughts, hasty words, variance, selfishness, emulation, desire to dominate, and efforts to diminish a brother to promote self. Such disaffection separates brethren from one another and from God, hinders the Spirit, dishonors God and misrepresents Christ. God will not tolerate it, and yielding to create it greatly hinders the Spirit's work. Hatred, petty grievances and bitterness create barriers between fellow believers and undermine unity and peace, while bitter words against those who love and serve God have no place in God's work which binds hearts together. Brotherly love is practiced by avoiding faultfinding and evil speech and by speaking encouragement with kindness.
The meek and lowly character commanded means looking on the bright side, thinking and imagining no evil, refusing to let supposed unkindness awaken unkindness, keeping the eyes on Jesus and having the mind in Christ learned only in Christ's school by faith and practice. It keeps one mind, refuses to make differences prominent, closes the door to disunion, answers cruel attacks with a soft answer that turns wrath, honors Christ rather than wounding Him by strife, and answers His prayer that disciples be one as He is one with the Father. It regards and cares for others rather than acting from strife or self-interest, in unity and humility with humble service free from selfishness and desire to exalt self. Humility and surrender of self make this possible, with hearts full of tenderness, the law of kindness on the lips, truth lodged in the heart and God's law guiding in heavenly principles of peace that prevent discord. This unity is urgent because the close of time is near, truth so lived will bear victory, and a guilty world hastens to destruction while Satan delights to keep at variance those who should show tenderness.
Serving God in this life in this way leads to loving life and seeing good days and happiness in the future life. The tongue is to be kept from evil and guile, evil shunned, good done, and peace sought and pursued. It grounds the appeal to the rich to deal generously with poor fellow believers, especially those made poor by misfortune or sickness.
Christ and Spirit Given
The command is grounded in the meekness and lowliness of Christ's earthly life, in which He long and patiently bore the misunderstandings of His workers. Learning that meekness and lowliness in Christ's school by faith and practice animates believers with His surpassing love. Being pitiful and courteous means practicing the patience and love Christ showed toward the erring and lost, keeping mercy beside justice, being kind and tenderly guarding the feelings of others. Those who grow in this Christlike kindness, compassion and courtesy become a help and blessing to those around them, while firm convictions and strong character keep them faithful and steady in duty. Looking on the bright side, thinking and imagining no evil, refusing to let supposed unkindness awaken unkind feeling, keeping the eyes on Jesus and having the mind that was in Christ brings the inherited blessing promised to those who bless instead of rendering evil for evil or railing for railing. This love refuses to make differences prominent and closes the door to disunion, answering cruel attacks with a soft answer that turns away wrath, honoring Christ and answering His prayer that disciples be one as He is one with the Father, urgent because the close of time is near.
The new life shaped by the Holy Spirit after Christ's likeness is expressed in unity of mind, compassion, brotherly love, pity, tenderness, courtesy and forgiveness, rather than in a pompous, overbearing or dictatorial spirit. The good seed of God's Word in the heart produces this changed character, which also answers evil with blessing rather than retaliation. Obedience to the command is the condition for God sending His Spirit as Comforter and Strengthener, and disobedience and disaffection through prejudice, envy, jealousy, evil surmising and strife block His manifestation and hinder His work. Putting on the new man created in righteousness and true holiness means letting the Holy Spirit fashion the person after Christ, not using the Spirit for self, working out salvation with fear and trembling while God works to will and do, bringing forth love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance without vainglory, provoking or envying. Bible religion never destroys human sympathy, but Christ's teaching softens and subdues the soul and truth received renews it, so those who love Jesus love those He died for, and these qualities strengthen rather than destroy, clear the way forward and prepare mind and heart for the light of the Sun of righteousness.
Loving as brethren with pity and courtesy requires the impartation of the Holy Spirit now, coming through prayer and giving up self-will, every desire to dominate, and pride from the naturally stubborn heart. It goes with humbling oneself before God so He will lift up, walking humbly leaning on Christ, studying His words and carrying them into private and public life and keeping the way of the Lord. Faith in Christ rather than in self draws people near to God and thus near to one another. It is the fruit of faith working by love that purifies the soul from defilement and marks an advanced stage of Christian experience, making believers partakers of the divine nature who reveal Christ and glorify God by mercy, tenderness, forbearance and benevolence, trying under all circumstances to do as Christ would do by good works, sympathy and helping carry out God's plan in the Master's Spirit. With the mind and Spirit of Christ it proves unity with Christ in word, life and action, for there is no loveless Christian, making believers the salt of the earth and the light of the world who catch beams from the Morning Star for dark neighborhoods and regions beyond, each doing his given work as Christ's co-partner instead of depending on ministers alone, and doing good to others brings Christ's approval.
The verse sets a high standard of supreme love for God in the heart and love for those for whom Christ died, to be lived and practiced and earnestly sought. Godliness appears in practical brotherly kindness, where grace humbles pride and leads believers to value others as God's own property redeemed at infinite cost, producing humility and considerate conduct in which genuine inward change appears outwardly, replacing harshness and coarseness with habitual tenderness and kindness. Those in sacred trust must never lose sight of the love with which Christ has loved them, treading softly, kind and thoughtful for the good of others rather than cold, harsh and unsympathetic toward those purchased by His blood. Others judge the mercy, tenderness, forbearance and love of Christ by His followers, who are watched by the world, angels and men, so lack of this love requires decided reformation lest the denunciation Christ pronounced on the scribes and Pharisees fall on them. This character comes only by Christ abiding within through the opened heart filled with the warmth of His love, goodness and tender compassion, so that in every connection the worker reveals the Saviour, without which the standard of the ministry is lowered and the ministry of the true sanctuary is misrepresented.
To love as brethren with pity and courtesy is one of the most efficient ways of representing Christ to the world. It is obeyed when Christians associate together often and study the Scriptures together to gain clearer comprehension of the Word of life, and by this unity and kindness they represent Christ. A kind, courteous Christian, in whom religion has softened what is hard and rough in temper and smoothed what is rugged and sharp in manners into gentle words and winning demeanor with purity, integrity and sunniness learned from Christ, is the most powerful argument in favor of Christianity. Such conduct through humility and surrender of self can lead many more to accept the truth. Having no feelings of superiority, enmity or dissension, and with selfishness surrendered to Christ to be replaced by His character, believers treat one another with kindness, courtesy, tenderness and pity.
Ministry and Witness
Those who work for Christ must be compassionate and courteous in order to gain access to hearts, for dealing with human minds is the greatest work ever given to man. Courtesy expresses love, and love accomplishes what argument fails to accomplish, so workers need to bring the love of Jesus into their labor to win souls and make truth attractive. Courtesy is one of the graces of the Spirit and of heaven and an essential part of successful work, requiring workers to be upright and trustworthy and firm as a rock to principle while at the same time kind, true, honest, forbearing, gentle, patient and pleasing in manner. It applies not only to weighty duties but also to the small courtesies of daily life, so that Christian conduct blesses and refreshes others, while a moment of petulance, a single gruff answer, or lack of Christian politeness in some small matter can result in the loss of both friends and influence. These qualities reflect Christ's meekness and gentleness and express the fruit of the Spirit.
Being courteous is binding on ministers watching for souls as those who must give account and seeking to save the erring, and being true to principle, just, honest and religious is not enough without true tenderness of heart, kindness and courtesy. Toward one in error kindness must increase, with tenderness, compassion and sympathy, letting every word spoken and even the tones of the voice express interest in and care for souls in peril. Harshness, denunciation and impatience drive the erring away from Christ and hinder efforts to win them, doing the work of the enemy, opening a door of temptation, leading Satan to misrepresent the minister as one who does not know the Lord Jesus, and leading the erring to justify their own way as right and themselves as better. Winning them requires genuine piety recognized in words and character, and teaching repentance, faith and humility requires having the love of Jesus in the heart, while truth believed sanctifies the soul and fashions and molds the whole man, changing words and deportment, abasing pride and purifying the soul temple from all defilement. This tender-hearted, compassionate, brotherly love is the true standard of the ministry and comes only by Christ abiding within through the opened door of the heart filling it with the warmth of His love, goodness and tender compassion, so that in every connection with humanity the worker reveals the Saviour, without which the standard is lowered and the ministry of the true sanctuary is misrepresented before the world.
Those who hold office to counsel and instruct others must be constant learners who practice what the great Teacher practices, loving fellow believers with kindness and courtesy, putting on Christ and clothed with humility and revealing His meekness. Leaders, ministers, teachers, managers and all in office must be guarded in attitude, words, manner and voice, speaking only as the Saviour would, making no thrusts even against wrong courses, laying no yokes but breaking every yoke, and putting away harshness and dictatorial rule especially in presenting gospel invitations, for without the gospel shoes they will surely mislead others by following their own ways and plans instead of walking in the Lord's ways. They are to speak faith and live the truth with simplicity, presenting the Word of truth as what destroys sin, showing faith that works by love and purifies the soul with brotherly love that is kind, tenderhearted, pitiful, courteous and respectful in manner, and this charge is to be passed on to others. Teachers, ministers and lay members are to conduct themselves as Christian gentlemen who stand as friends and counselors to pupils and people, forgetting self and feeling deep interest in their success and prosperity as God's property for whose minds and character an account of influence must be rendered. Such courtesy gives ready access to hearts and leads many more to examine and receive truth, makes a school where angels love to linger, brings Jesus' approval upon the work and sends His grace into students' hearts, while teachers and students press together and pray together following Christ rather than exalting self. Workers of different gifts and branches are to be humble under God's control, consulting together, respecting one another and sharing concern without dominating or dictating duty, giving up conceit that grieves those God has not rebuked and striving for unity with God.
In canvassing, publishing, medical and evangelistic work believers must love one another as family, show compassion, tenderness, pity and courtesy, and help one another, putting away self-exaltation and maintaining harmony and unity of spirit without drawing apart. Those engaged in the Lord's service must press together in Christian unity and even cords, laboring unitedly, unselfishly and humbly, separated from every species of self-indulgence and idolatry, dying to self, showing patience, gentleness and long-suffering in working for salvation, with greater devotion and zeal to promulgate the last message of mercy so influence is a savor of life unto life and the Lord works with them. These qualities are to mark those connected with the publishing office as desired by the Saviour. Ministry and medical work must be one undivided work with no alienation, requiring reconciliation where a brother has aught against another and becoming one as in John 17 to open currents of God's love and power, for separation shows the Spirit not working. In sanitariums each is to be a healing influence since peace and happiness aid health, and tenderness is due the sick even when guiding them from harmful habits offends them.
Pity and courtesy require reverence for justice and truth, hatred of cruelty and oppression, and treating others as one wishes to be treated, forbidding favoring self at another person's expense. Men whose word becomes ruling power must decide every case on the side of mercy, equity and justice, with tender compassion, pitying love and heart sympathy such as Christ would express were He presiding, forbidding a hard, iron, heartless spirit devoid of pity and the plea that business demands hardheartedness. Fitness for such trust is seen in management of one's own children and family, for one living in constant irritation and systematic quarrel does not know what spirit he is of and cannot suddenly have Christ's meekness and lowliness and a heart imbued with love, since that is the work and warfare of a lifetime. When the heart is stripped of tender compassion and pitying love the Lord leaves the assembly to act out the human in place of the divine, and those controlled to fail to show compassion will have to answer for it in judgment. Its absence is an unconsecrated heart and unchristlike disposition causing grief and suffering through oppressive decisions in councils and committees where sin goes unrebuked and injustice unreproved because strong determined men without connection to God are allowed controlling power by custom, which belongs to the spirit of the great oppressor and is the opposite of the verse.
In correction believers must avoid impatient, sharp, dictating words and allow longsuffering and truth to do their work, while respecting each person's conscience and individual experience. Those who struggle to believe are to be treated with tenderness, prayer and no harsh or discouraging word, since an unwise word can cause harm, and its qualities are shown in a community joined in love and unity even when individuals must stand alone in God. Believers are to help one another by carrying one another's burdens while each carries his own, letting sympathy go out in kindness, tenderness, courtesy, mutual forbearance and helpfulness in constant exercise, especially toward those who love the Lord Jesus, by relieving the poor, visiting the sick, comforting the sorrowing and bereaved, counseling the inexperienced, giving hope to the fainthearted, weeping with those who weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice, making straight paths so the lame are not turned aside, and restraining harsh rough speech because silence is sometimes best, which helps the helper and opens a new chapter in experience. They are to grow old gracefully by encouraging one another, continuing to love and encourage the erring even after bearing messages of reproof, and standing as light-bearers for God by the now-imparted Holy Spirit, for Jesus bears much and is hurt when believers hurt one another. Past experience is valuable when it leads to gentleness and openness to counsel, corrects mistakes and makes one an example, whereas a hard overbearing spirit grieves the church. When an esteemed brother errs even hindering the work, workers must not watch faults or triumph over mistakes, censure or say failure was foreseen, but say nothing and continue patient encouragement till he sees and acknowledges it, for the Lord loves and pardons and the blamer's mistakes may be greater, and such patience can save a soul where reproach brings no strength.
Home and Daily Conduct
Husband and wife and all God's children are called to oneness of mind with mutual compassion, brotherly love, pity and courtesy, as instruction about home life of the greatest consequence. The ambition is not to meet the world's standard nor to seek its applause, but to do the heavenly Father's will and be a blessing to contacts, requiring a higher and holier experience than in the past. In marriage this means patience and meekness, guarding words so they bless rather than wound, not compelling one another but yielding with forbearance and kindness, and keeping alive the small tender cheerful encouraging courtesies that preserve peace and happiness. Compassion is to be practiced at home, where prayer joined with kindness, consideration and courtesy fosters a wife's cheerfulness and health and children's happiness, and pity means becoming tender-hearted to family, sharing burdens rather than standing apart criticizing faults and withholding sympathy. Its teaching applies to kindness and courtesy at home and to stronger Christlike love in church life, grounds the appeal to the rich to deal generously with poor fellow believers especially those made poor by misfortune or sickness, and guides speech now by keeping the tongue from evil and guile, shunning evil, doing good and seeking peace, so that serving God in this life leads to loving life and seeing good days and happiness in the future life.
Christian conduct should bless and refresh others in weighty duties and also in the small courtesies of daily life, practiced in bearing, words and actions with amiable temper joined with justice, honesty and faithfulness. Believers are to be what they wish others to be and do as they wish to be done, seeing others' good as they wish theirs seen, and courtesy so practiced helps gain access to hearts and gives good influence toward moral fitness for service and heaven. Overcoming natural defects of character is required, because allowing them to strengthen misleads others and causes failure of the reward and coming short of the promise. A kind, courteous, compassionate and pitiful spirit with Christian politeness is required in thought, word and action as Scripture requires.
Brotherly love as brothers and sisters is practiced by avoiding faultfinding and evil speech and by speaking encouragement with kindness. It means refraining the tongue from evil and lips from guile that would weaken fellow workers, respecting them as laborers together with God since failure to respect them offends God. Suspicion, distrust and habitually thinking the worst violate the command, so believers must cultivate love, remove bitterness, honor and respect one another, and mutual confidence with God's richest blessings follows. Sharp critical traits must be guarded and repressed while love, tenderness and true courtesy are strengthened by exercise, practicing Christ's patience to the erring, keeping mercy beside justice, and kindly and tenderly guarding feelings. Believers are to confess own wrongs without accusing others, seek wisdom, gather in a strengthening rather than dividing spirit, and live in harmony showing compassion, brotherly love, tenderness and courtesy even toward the disagreeable with regard for others rather than inflated self.
Meek wisdom is free from bitter words, envy and contention which are worldly, lets no harsh cold unapproachable behavior oppose Christlike love, keeps self out of thoughts by talking less of self and working silently and prayerfully rather than dwelling on wrongs, practices mutual forbearance with no right to control others, and shows sincere thoughtful regard to all including youngest lowest workers rather than sentimental flattery to favorites, daily cultivating a Spirit-softened heart that gives gentle wholesome strength. These qualities exclude self-pity, undue self-sympathy and discontent, which lead to neglecting duties and thinking poorly of and undervaluing fellow workers. They forbid favoring self at another's expense, requiring reverence for justice and truth, hatred of cruelty and oppression, and treating others as one wishes to be treated. Instead believers are to encourage one another, stand as light-bearers, draw near God in prayer and humiliation with hearts full of tenderness and kindness on the lips free from variance, selfishness and emulation, help one another with unselfish concern, welcome deserved praise that encourages, and govern all conduct and religious service by brotherly love, mutual forbearance, respect and tender consideration, continuing to love and encourage the erring even after reproof by the impartation of the Spirit now.
Kindness, tenderness, compassion, forgiveness, humility and courtesy are especially fitting for God-fearing women and help preserve purity, modesty and respectful boundaries. While the Lord tests and proves His people, each may be as severe and critical as he pleases with his own defective character but must be kind, pitiful and courteous toward others. Daily inquiry is called for whether one is sound to the core or false-hearted, with earnest prayer to be saved from self-deception because eternal interests are involved, eagerly seeking assurance of God's love and how to make calling and election sure rather than panting after honor and being greedy of gain.
All believers are called to live together in unity with compassion for one another, love as members of one family, tender pity and courtesy.
To be of one mind is to keep the unity of the Spirit by dwelling on what all can agree on rather than on seeming differences, pressing together in prayer and searching of Scripture until understanding is shared.
To love as brethren is to live as members of the same household, bought by the same blood and born by the same Spirit, with no superiority, enmity or caste, showing a love that is principle expressed in unselfish deeds rather than mere feeling.
Compassion and pity mean tenderheartedness toward one another, toward strangers, families, the erring, the weak and the sick, while courtesy is a grace of the Spirit shown in kind words, gentle speech and considerate daily conduct that gains access to hearts.
This life is grounded in the meekness of Christ and shaped by the Holy Spirit after His likeness, and it becomes the most powerful witness for truth when practiced in the home, the church and all work for others.
Words and Phrases
To be of one mind is to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace by dwelling on things all can agree on rather than on seeming differences, while still allowing varied thoughts and different expressions of truth. Believers press together in this unity, for in unity is their strength, refusing to be drawn away, praying and searching Scripture together until they share understanding. This harmony, in which disciples share desire for sanctification by the same Spirit and a renewed heart blending despite differing language and manner, prepares them on earth to belong to heaven's united family.
To love as brethren is to live as members of the same family and royal household, bought by the same blood, born by the same Spirit, members of the same body and nourished from the same Source. It allows no feelings of superiority, enmity, dissension, or caste of wealth, position, talent, or education, and it forbids favoring those who agree while withdrawing from or disparaging those who differ in habit, character, or way of work. It goes with each person relying on God rather than on fellow believers for light, wisdom, direction, sanctification, redemption, and help in every need, and it is a duty and part of the character set by God's Word. The love required is not mere emotion or sentiment but a principle shown in noble, unselfish deeds, so that when it controls God's people all plans and activities are appreciated as coming from one Source.
To have compassion and be pitiful means tenderheartedness, tender pity, and compassionate kindness toward one another, and believers are to treat one another with kindness, courtesy, pity, and tender compassion. It includes tender concern for strangers in need who live among them, and for families by sharing burdens rather than standing apart. It includes helping those humiliated by mistakes as Christ would help, and cherishing divine tenderness toward the weak and erring as Christ's mind clears misunderstandings. It includes patiently bearing the unreasonable demands and fretfulness of the sick without retaliation.
To be courteous is one of the graces of the Spirit and a Bible virtue that gains access to hearts and makes truth attractive, expressing love in the greatest work of dealing with minds where love accomplishes what argument cannot. It applies not only to weighty duties but to the small courtesies and little proprieties of daily life, expressed in kind words, pleasant looks, considerate manner, gentle speech, winning demeanor, and an amiable temper, joined with justice, honesty, faithfulness, uprightness, and trustworthiness. It softens what is hard and rugged in nature, smooths temper and manners, combines purity and integrity with sunniness learned from Christ, and reflects the fruit of the Spirit and Christ's meekness. Christian politeness in bearing, words, and actions is required in every thought, word, and action, so that conduct blesses and refreshes others, and a moment of petulance, a gruff answer, or lack of politeness in a small matter can lose friends and influence.
Courtesy joins firmness to principle as a rock with the Saviour's gentleness, being kind, true, honest, forbearing, upright, and trustworthy. It does not mean winking at sin and corruption, excusing unfaithful stewardship, taking from the treasury needed for suffering mission fields, or overlooking sin. It still gives reproof and rebuke to stop wrongdoing, moving cautiously and circumspectly to economize means and increase rather than cripple the fund and the missionary cause. This includes in health work leaving a right impression even when guiding patients from harmful habits offends them.
Setting in Scripture
In its setting the call to oneness of mind with mutual compassion, brotherly love, pity and courtesy follows the command for husbands to honor their wives as fellow heirs of the grace of life so that prayers are not hindered. It belongs to instruction about home life that is of the greatest consequence, addressed to husband and wife and to all the children of God and to all in the home. The ambition set is not to meet the world's standard nor to seek the applause of the world, but to do the will of the heavenly Father and to be a blessing to those brought in contact, requiring a higher and holier experience than in the past. There it guards children from vain, foolish talk that puts outward adorning of hair, gold and apparel above the inward adorning of a meek and quiet spirit, turning unprofitable conversation about dress and appearance to words that are precious talents for God.
The next verse extends the verse by forbidding repayment of evil or insult with evil or insult and calling believers instead to bless others, since they are called to inherit a blessing. This unity is expressed through blessing rather than retaliation and belongs to a life that builds up the church rather than exalting self, as part of Christian calling. In the face of abuse or false accusation this spirit means refusing retaliation and harmful speech, doing good and seeking peace. The good seed of the Word produces this non-retaliation, and the call is tested in trials and everyday annoyances where self-control and meekness require a soft answer, guarding speech, following Christ's meek example and submitting to discipline rather than letting anger produce harmful words.
The surrounding passage connects loving life and seeing good days with keeping the tongue from evil and deceit, turning from evil to do good, and seeking and pursuing peace. The Lord watches over the righteous and hears their prayers, while He opposes those who do evil. These qualities govern how people treat one another, including spouses, and lead into restraint in speech and the pursuit of peace. Envy and evil speaking are unsafe to welcome, and the tongue can mislead those who are not firmly grounded, and these qualities and duties are among the fruits of God's Spirit. Knowing the truth is not enough, because faith must grasp its deep principles and put them into practical daily life, so that serving God in this life leads to loving life and seeing good days and being happy in the future life.
1 Peter 3:8-10 shows the character of the work before believers. All who consent to be laborers together with God work in Christ's lines, using mental powers with purpose to make those within their influence wise and better, uplifting and strengthening the weak, and making straight paths for the feet lest the lame be turned out of the way. The chapter gives a message of great importance to ministers of the gospel and to ministers' wives and their families, calling them to search deep and make clean work for eternity. The dangers that follow ministers come from different sources, especially from unsanctified, unconverted companions who must be labored for with zeal, lest without the convicting, converting power of the gospel searching hearts there remain an irreligious element in the home. Chapters 3 with 4 and 5 are to be read as very encouraging to those laboring in church capacity, laying out their work under the Holy Spirit upon the heart to secure souls from the service of sin to righteousness, to look carefully and weigh every evidence God has given, and to labor diligently. For church workers it teaches that if a mistake is made the error is to be confessed, and that supposing that strong faith in an accepted idea or doctrine means never making a change and refusing repentance for wrong is a great and dangerous error, because all are erring human beings liable to err and to immortalize accepted theories.
Unity and Love Commanded
Finally all are to be of one mind, having compassion toward one another, loving as family, tenderhearted, kind and courteous. This belongs to the apostles' call for strict unity, and is part of God's appointed means through spiritual gifts to bring the church to unity. It calls for the obedient life shown by deeds and not merely by words, in humble service free from selfish exaltation, with believers united, sanctified through the truth, pure without guile, cooperating with one another and with heavenly beings as God's representatives. Toward all people, and especially toward fellow believers, it is marked by mutual forbearance, respect and tenderness, letting God's peace rule in the heart.
Believers are to press together in loving fellowship as brothers and sisters, joined in prayer and mutual care, helping one another, advising and respecting one another young and old, strengthening one another, guarding one another's interests, persevering in doing good, and working together in humility without exalting self. This unity is their strength, upholding Christ's church which evil powers will not overcome, expressing Christ's prayer and preparing them to stand the coming test. It requires removing suspicion and division even by personal sacrifice, trusting fellow believers' love and Christ's love, since love awakens love. Separation is to be found out and removed by admitting that either party may be wrong and making things right through straightforward unselfish dealings, which removes obstacles, brings blessing and glorifies God. Their part is to protect one another's interests rather than accusing, criticizing or gossiping, standing together in trial in faith and love to reflect Christ.
Obedience forbids prejudice, envy, jealousy, evil surmising, strife, withdrawing from some while binding up with others, faultfinding, criticism, evil speaking, bitter words, unkind actions, cruel thoughts, hasty words, variance, selfishness, emulation, desire to dominate, and efforts to diminish a brother to promote self. Such disaffection separates brethren from one another and from God, hinders the Spirit, dishonors God and misrepresents Christ. God will not tolerate it, and yielding to create it greatly hinders the Spirit's work. Hatred, petty grievances and bitterness create barriers between fellow believers and undermine unity and peace, while bitter words against those who love and serve God have no place in God's work which binds hearts together. Brotherly love is practiced by avoiding faultfinding and evil speech and by speaking encouragement with kindness.
The meek and lowly character commanded means looking on the bright side, thinking and imagining no evil, refusing to let supposed unkindness awaken unkindness, keeping the eyes on Jesus and having the mind in Christ learned only in Christ's school by faith and practice. It keeps one mind, refuses to make differences prominent, closes the door to disunion, answers cruel attacks with a soft answer that turns wrath, honors Christ rather than wounding Him by strife, and answers His prayer that disciples be one as He is one with the Father. It regards and cares for others rather than acting from strife or self-interest, in unity and humility with humble service free from selfishness and desire to exalt self. Humility and surrender of self make this possible, with hearts full of tenderness, the law of kindness on the lips, truth lodged in the heart and God's law guiding in heavenly principles of peace that prevent discord. This unity is urgent because the close of time is near, truth so lived will bear victory, and a guilty world hastens to destruction while Satan delights to keep at variance those who should show tenderness.
Serving God in this life in this way leads to loving life and seeing good days and happiness in the future life. The tongue is to be kept from evil and guile, evil shunned, good done, and peace sought and pursued. It grounds the appeal to the rich to deal generously with poor fellow believers, especially those made poor by misfortune or sickness.
Christ and Spirit Given
The command is grounded in the meekness and lowliness of Christ's earthly life, in which He long and patiently bore the misunderstandings of His workers. Learning that meekness and lowliness in Christ's school by faith and practice animates believers with His surpassing love. Being pitiful and courteous means practicing the patience and love Christ showed toward the erring and lost, keeping mercy beside justice, being kind and tenderly guarding the feelings of others. Those who grow in this Christlike kindness, compassion and courtesy become a help and blessing to those around them, while firm convictions and strong character keep them faithful and steady in duty. Looking on the bright side, thinking and imagining no evil, refusing to let supposed unkindness awaken unkind feeling, keeping the eyes on Jesus and having the mind that was in Christ brings the inherited blessing promised to those who bless instead of rendering evil for evil or railing for railing. This love refuses to make differences prominent and closes the door to disunion, answering cruel attacks with a soft answer that turns away wrath, honoring Christ and answering His prayer that disciples be one as He is one with the Father, urgent because the close of time is near.
The new life shaped by the Holy Spirit after Christ's likeness is expressed in unity of mind, compassion, brotherly love, pity, tenderness, courtesy and forgiveness, rather than in a pompous, overbearing or dictatorial spirit. The good seed of God's Word in the heart produces this changed character, which also answers evil with blessing rather than retaliation. Obedience to the command is the condition for God sending His Spirit as Comforter and Strengthener, and disobedience and disaffection through prejudice, envy, jealousy, evil surmising and strife block His manifestation and hinder His work. Putting on the new man created in righteousness and true holiness means letting the Holy Spirit fashion the person after Christ, not using the Spirit for self, working out salvation with fear and trembling while God works to will and do, bringing forth love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance without vainglory, provoking or envying. Bible religion never destroys human sympathy, but Christ's teaching softens and subdues the soul and truth received renews it, so those who love Jesus love those He died for, and these qualities strengthen rather than destroy, clear the way forward and prepare mind and heart for the light of the Sun of righteousness.
Loving as brethren with pity and courtesy requires the impartation of the Holy Spirit now, coming through prayer and giving up self-will, every desire to dominate, and pride from the naturally stubborn heart. It goes with humbling oneself before God so He will lift up, walking humbly leaning on Christ, studying His words and carrying them into private and public life and keeping the way of the Lord. Faith in Christ rather than in self draws people near to God and thus near to one another. It is the fruit of faith working by love that purifies the soul from defilement and marks an advanced stage of Christian experience, making believers partakers of the divine nature who reveal Christ and glorify God by mercy, tenderness, forbearance and benevolence, trying under all circumstances to do as Christ would do by good works, sympathy and helping carry out God's plan in the Master's Spirit. With the mind and Spirit of Christ it proves unity with Christ in word, life and action, for there is no loveless Christian, making believers the salt of the earth and the light of the world who catch beams from the Morning Star for dark neighborhoods and regions beyond, each doing his given work as Christ's co-partner instead of depending on ministers alone, and doing good to others brings Christ's approval.
The verse sets a high standard of supreme love for God in the heart and love for those for whom Christ died, to be lived and practiced and earnestly sought. Godliness appears in practical brotherly kindness, where grace humbles pride and leads believers to value others as God's own property redeemed at infinite cost, producing humility and considerate conduct in which genuine inward change appears outwardly, replacing harshness and coarseness with habitual tenderness and kindness. Those in sacred trust must never lose sight of the love with which Christ has loved them, treading softly, kind and thoughtful for the good of others rather than cold, harsh and unsympathetic toward those purchased by His blood. Others judge the mercy, tenderness, forbearance and love of Christ by His followers, who are watched by the world, angels and men, so lack of this love requires decided reformation lest the denunciation Christ pronounced on the scribes and Pharisees fall on them. This character comes only by Christ abiding within through the opened heart filled with the warmth of His love, goodness and tender compassion, so that in every connection the worker reveals the Saviour, without which the standard of the ministry is lowered and the ministry of the true sanctuary is misrepresented.
To love as brethren with pity and courtesy is one of the most efficient ways of representing Christ to the world. It is obeyed when Christians associate together often and study the Scriptures together to gain clearer comprehension of the Word of life, and by this unity and kindness they represent Christ. A kind, courteous Christian, in whom religion has softened what is hard and rough in temper and smoothed what is rugged and sharp in manners into gentle words and winning demeanor with purity, integrity and sunniness learned from Christ, is the most powerful argument in favor of Christianity. Such conduct through humility and surrender of self can lead many more to accept the truth. Having no feelings of superiority, enmity or dissension, and with selfishness surrendered to Christ to be replaced by His character, believers treat one another with kindness, courtesy, tenderness and pity.
Ministry and Witness
Those who work for Christ must be compassionate and courteous in order to gain access to hearts, for dealing with human minds is the greatest work ever given to man. Courtesy expresses love, and love accomplishes what argument fails to accomplish, so workers need to bring the love of Jesus into their labor to win souls and make truth attractive. Courtesy is one of the graces of the Spirit and of heaven and an essential part of successful work, requiring workers to be upright and trustworthy and firm as a rock to principle while at the same time kind, true, honest, forbearing, gentle, patient and pleasing in manner. It applies not only to weighty duties but also to the small courtesies of daily life, so that Christian conduct blesses and refreshes others, while a moment of petulance, a single gruff answer, or lack of Christian politeness in some small matter can result in the loss of both friends and influence. These qualities reflect Christ's meekness and gentleness and express the fruit of the Spirit.
Being courteous is binding on ministers watching for souls as those who must give account and seeking to save the erring, and being true to principle, just, honest and religious is not enough without true tenderness of heart, kindness and courtesy. Toward one in error kindness must increase, with tenderness, compassion and sympathy, letting every word spoken and even the tones of the voice express interest in and care for souls in peril. Harshness, denunciation and impatience drive the erring away from Christ and hinder efforts to win them, doing the work of the enemy, opening a door of temptation, leading Satan to misrepresent the minister as one who does not know the Lord Jesus, and leading the erring to justify their own way as right and themselves as better. Winning them requires genuine piety recognized in words and character, and teaching repentance, faith and humility requires having the love of Jesus in the heart, while truth believed sanctifies the soul and fashions and molds the whole man, changing words and deportment, abasing pride and purifying the soul temple from all defilement. This tender-hearted, compassionate, brotherly love is the true standard of the ministry and comes only by Christ abiding within through the opened door of the heart filling it with the warmth of His love, goodness and tender compassion, so that in every connection with humanity the worker reveals the Saviour, without which the standard is lowered and the ministry of the true sanctuary is misrepresented before the world.
Those who hold office to counsel and instruct others must be constant learners who practice what the great Teacher practices, loving fellow believers with kindness and courtesy, putting on Christ and clothed with humility and revealing His meekness. Leaders, ministers, teachers, managers and all in office must be guarded in attitude, words, manner and voice, speaking only as the Saviour would, making no thrusts even against wrong courses, laying no yokes but breaking every yoke, and putting away harshness and dictatorial rule especially in presenting gospel invitations, for without the gospel shoes they will surely mislead others by following their own ways and plans instead of walking in the Lord's ways. They are to speak faith and live the truth with simplicity, presenting the Word of truth as what destroys sin, showing faith that works by love and purifies the soul with brotherly love that is kind, tenderhearted, pitiful, courteous and respectful in manner, and this charge is to be passed on to others. Teachers, ministers and lay members are to conduct themselves as Christian gentlemen who stand as friends and counselors to pupils and people, forgetting self and feeling deep interest in their success and prosperity as God's property for whose minds and character an account of influence must be rendered. Such courtesy gives ready access to hearts and leads many more to examine and receive truth, makes a school where angels love to linger, brings Jesus' approval upon the work and sends His grace into students' hearts, while teachers and students press together and pray together following Christ rather than exalting self. Workers of different gifts and branches are to be humble under God's control, consulting together, respecting one another and sharing concern without dominating or dictating duty, giving up conceit that grieves those God has not rebuked and striving for unity with God.
In canvassing, publishing, medical and evangelistic work believers must love one another as family, show compassion, tenderness, pity and courtesy, and help one another, putting away self-exaltation and maintaining harmony and unity of spirit without drawing apart. Those engaged in the Lord's service must press together in Christian unity and even cords, laboring unitedly, unselfishly and humbly, separated from every species of self-indulgence and idolatry, dying to self, showing patience, gentleness and long-suffering in working for salvation, with greater devotion and zeal to promulgate the last message of mercy so influence is a savor of life unto life and the Lord works with them. These qualities are to mark those connected with the publishing office as desired by the Saviour. Ministry and medical work must be one undivided work with no alienation, requiring reconciliation where a brother has aught against another and becoming one as in John 17 to open currents of God's love and power, for separation shows the Spirit not working. In sanitariums each is to be a healing influence since peace and happiness aid health, and tenderness is due the sick even when guiding them from harmful habits offends them.
Pity and courtesy require reverence for justice and truth, hatred of cruelty and oppression, and treating others as one wishes to be treated, forbidding favoring self at another person's expense. Men whose word becomes ruling power must decide every case on the side of mercy, equity and justice, with tender compassion, pitying love and heart sympathy such as Christ would express were He presiding, forbidding a hard, iron, heartless spirit devoid of pity and the plea that business demands hardheartedness. Fitness for such trust is seen in management of one's own children and family, for one living in constant irritation and systematic quarrel does not know what spirit he is of and cannot suddenly have Christ's meekness and lowliness and a heart imbued with love, since that is the work and warfare of a lifetime. When the heart is stripped of tender compassion and pitying love the Lord leaves the assembly to act out the human in place of the divine, and those controlled to fail to show compassion will have to answer for it in judgment. Its absence is an unconsecrated heart and unchristlike disposition causing grief and suffering through oppressive decisions in councils and committees where sin goes unrebuked and injustice unreproved because strong determined men without connection to God are allowed controlling power by custom, which belongs to the spirit of the great oppressor and is the opposite of the verse.
In correction believers must avoid impatient, sharp, dictating words and allow longsuffering and truth to do their work, while respecting each person's conscience and individual experience. Those who struggle to believe are to be treated with tenderness, prayer and no harsh or discouraging word, since an unwise word can cause harm, and its qualities are shown in a community joined in love and unity even when individuals must stand alone in God. Believers are to help one another by carrying one another's burdens while each carries his own, letting sympathy go out in kindness, tenderness, courtesy, mutual forbearance and helpfulness in constant exercise, especially toward those who love the Lord Jesus, by relieving the poor, visiting the sick, comforting the sorrowing and bereaved, counseling the inexperienced, giving hope to the fainthearted, weeping with those who weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice, making straight paths so the lame are not turned aside, and restraining harsh rough speech because silence is sometimes best, which helps the helper and opens a new chapter in experience. They are to grow old gracefully by encouraging one another, continuing to love and encourage the erring even after bearing messages of reproof, and standing as light-bearers for God by the now-imparted Holy Spirit, for Jesus bears much and is hurt when believers hurt one another. Past experience is valuable when it leads to gentleness and openness to counsel, corrects mistakes and makes one an example, whereas a hard overbearing spirit grieves the church. When an esteemed brother errs even hindering the work, workers must not watch faults or triumph over mistakes, censure or say failure was foreseen, but say nothing and continue patient encouragement till he sees and acknowledges it, for the Lord loves and pardons and the blamer's mistakes may be greater, and such patience can save a soul where reproach brings no strength.
Home and Daily Conduct
Husband and wife and all God's children are called to oneness of mind with mutual compassion, brotherly love, pity and courtesy, as instruction about home life of the greatest consequence. The ambition is not to meet the world's standard nor to seek its applause, but to do the heavenly Father's will and be a blessing to contacts, requiring a higher and holier experience than in the past. In marriage this means patience and meekness, guarding words so they bless rather than wound, not compelling one another but yielding with forbearance and kindness, and keeping alive the small tender cheerful encouraging courtesies that preserve peace and happiness. Compassion is to be practiced at home, where prayer joined with kindness, consideration and courtesy fosters a wife's cheerfulness and health and children's happiness, and pity means becoming tender-hearted to family, sharing burdens rather than standing apart criticizing faults and withholding sympathy. Its teaching applies to kindness and courtesy at home and to stronger Christlike love in church life, grounds the appeal to the rich to deal generously with poor fellow believers especially those made poor by misfortune or sickness, and guides speech now by keeping the tongue from evil and guile, shunning evil, doing good and seeking peace, so that serving God in this life leads to loving life and seeing good days and happiness in the future life.
Christian conduct should bless and refresh others in weighty duties and also in the small courtesies of daily life, practiced in bearing, words and actions with amiable temper joined with justice, honesty and faithfulness. Believers are to be what they wish others to be and do as they wish to be done, seeing others' good as they wish theirs seen, and courtesy so practiced helps gain access to hearts and gives good influence toward moral fitness for service and heaven. Overcoming natural defects of character is required, because allowing them to strengthen misleads others and causes failure of the reward and coming short of the promise. A kind, courteous, compassionate and pitiful spirit with Christian politeness is required in thought, word and action as Scripture requires.
Brotherly love as brothers and sisters is practiced by avoiding faultfinding and evil speech and by speaking encouragement with kindness. It means refraining the tongue from evil and lips from guile that would weaken fellow workers, respecting them as laborers together with God since failure to respect them offends God. Suspicion, distrust and habitually thinking the worst violate the command, so believers must cultivate love, remove bitterness, honor and respect one another, and mutual confidence with God's richest blessings follows. Sharp critical traits must be guarded and repressed while love, tenderness and true courtesy are strengthened by exercise, practicing Christ's patience to the erring, keeping mercy beside justice, and kindly and tenderly guarding feelings. Believers are to confess own wrongs without accusing others, seek wisdom, gather in a strengthening rather than dividing spirit, and live in harmony showing compassion, brotherly love, tenderness and courtesy even toward the disagreeable with regard for others rather than inflated self.
Meek wisdom is free from bitter words, envy and contention which are worldly, lets no harsh cold unapproachable behavior oppose Christlike love, keeps self out of thoughts by talking less of self and working silently and prayerfully rather than dwelling on wrongs, practices mutual forbearance with no right to control others, and shows sincere thoughtful regard to all including youngest lowest workers rather than sentimental flattery to favorites, daily cultivating a Spirit-softened heart that gives gentle wholesome strength. These qualities exclude self-pity, undue self-sympathy and discontent, which lead to neglecting duties and thinking poorly of and undervaluing fellow workers. They forbid favoring self at another's expense, requiring reverence for justice and truth, hatred of cruelty and oppression, and treating others as one wishes to be treated. Instead believers are to encourage one another, stand as light-bearers, draw near God in prayer and humiliation with hearts full of tenderness and kindness on the lips free from variance, selfishness and emulation, help one another with unselfish concern, welcome deserved praise that encourages, and govern all conduct and religious service by brotherly love, mutual forbearance, respect and tender consideration, continuing to love and encourage the erring even after reproof by the impartation of the Spirit now.
Kindness, tenderness, compassion, forgiveness, humility and courtesy are especially fitting for God-fearing women and help preserve purity, modesty and respectful boundaries. While the Lord tests and proves His people, each may be as severe and critical as he pleases with his own defective character but must be kind, pitiful and courteous toward others. Daily inquiry is called for whether one is sound to the core or false-hearted, with earnest prayer to be saved from self-deception because eternal interests are involved, eagerly seeking assurance of God's love and how to make calling and election sure rather than panting after honor and being greedy of gain.