1. 1 Peter 1:22 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What is the “love” that Peter’s readers have achieved?

1 Peter 1:22 (ESV)

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

The term translated as “brotherly love” is the Greek word from which the English word Philadelphia is derived. This word is a composite of two Greek words, philos = love, and adelphos = brother; thus, “brotherly love.” The nuance of the word philos catches the notion of enjoying each other’s company, loving being together. We understand that “brothers” love being together. Peter’s readers have achieved such togetherness as a result of purifying themselves.