Show Brotherly Love at the Feast

Romans 12:10 contains a simple yet powerful command: “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.” These words are not a suggestion—they are a charge to us as Christians. And the Feast of Tabernacles is one of the best opportunities we have to live them.

The Feast is more than scenic sites, inspiring messages and joyful meals. It is a spiritual training ground—a time to learn how to rejoice and fear God, yes, but also a time to practice how we treat one another.

The Outline of Biblical Usage defines philadelphia, the Greek word translated “brotherly love” in Romans 12, as love of brothers or sisters, and the love which Christians cherish for each other. Revelation 3:7 shows just how important this quality is: The sixth era of God’s Church was named Philadelphia.

The apostle Paul’s instruction was not just for first-century Romans. It applies to us today—and especially during the eight days when we are gathered as a spiritual family at the Feast. Brotherly love is something we practice all year long, and the Feast is there to help sharpen our focus.

During this fall festival, we are surrounded with opportunities to uplift, encourage and support one another.

Picture an elderly woman making her way to her seat—how uplifting it would be for someone to offer an arm. Or a young mother juggling bags and children at the door—what a difference it makes when someone steps in to help. Even a kind word to a shut-in attending services remotely can go a long way toward making them feel remembered and included. These small gestures are all powerful expressions of brotherly love—and the Feast is full of such moments waiting to be seized.

God gives us these opportunities because He is building His Family. Each interaction is a chance to grow, to further reflect His character and to choose service over self.

Anyone who has been to the Feast before has seen these moments of love in action—and they are a joy to behold. Let’s make this year’s Feast filled with them.

To help us do that, Paul did not stop at a single command. Romans 12 is full of practical, spirit-led instruction that can expand our understanding of godly love. It is a blueprint for how to treat our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Prefer One Another

Notice the second half of Romans 12:10: “in honor preferring one another.” The Greek word for “honor” means valuable, highly esteemed or precious. “Preferring” carries the sense of leading the way and showing deference and respect.

In God’s Church, brethren are precious. We are called to lead the way in showing respect, even when it costs us something—whether that is time, convenience or comfort. When we think this way, it changes our entire mindset about how to show love.

Honoring others can take small but meaningful forms. For example:

• Cheerfully following seating instructions from ushers, even when it may be a little inconvenient.
• Giving full attention to someone who is speaking during a conversation—especially those who are older or quieter.
• Putting away your phone during meals or fellowship.
• Allowing others to speak first in group settings.

Keep your eyes peeled for other opportunities. The Feast is full of real-time chances to prefer others above ourselves.

Share with the Saints

Romans 12:13 urges us to be “distributing to the necessity of saints.” The Greek word “distributing” means to share, partake or communicate. Paul may have had Nehemiah 8 in mind—when Judah kept its first Feast after Babylonian captivity. Verse 10 says: “Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared.”

This principle still applies today. If you have been blessed with plenty of second tithe, share it! Buy someone a meal or a coffee. Invite them on an outing. Offer a ride. Help a young family with activity costs. Give a gift to a child. You will be surprised how far a small act of generosity can go.

Money is only one way to share. Time, conversation, inclusion and empathy are others.

Serve with Fervency

In Romans 12:11, Paul charges us to be “not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”

Serving builds humility and reflects the selfless example set by Jesus Christ. And it is a command. Paul adds in Ephesians 6:6-7 that we should serve “not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but…doing the will of God from the heart.”

There is much to do at the Feast. Be ready to help if asked—or better yet, step in when you see a need. Follow instructions. Teens can pitch in too. For example, boys helping with chairs or holding doors and girls assisting members with young children.

Young men, be sure to use your physical strength in service (Prov. 20:29).

A few Feasts ago, a couple was assigned a room far from the hotel entrance—up several flights of stairs with no elevator. A group of young men noticed the challenge and quickly stepped in to help carry their luggage, both at the beginning and end of the Feast. It was a simple act, but one that powerfully demonstrated the kind of thoughtful, cheerful service that defines true brotherly love.

All of us can use communication to help others: “To do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Heb. 13:16).

We can also serve through prayer. In Acts 12, Peter was delivered from prison through the fervent prayer of the brethren. We can—and should—pray fervently for messages, activities, logistics, health, unity and joy throughout the Feast.

Rejoice with Others

Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice.” Yes, rejoicing is an expression of love! And unlike the common cold, joy is something you can happily spread.

The Feast offers abundant joy: meals, music, messages, friendships, activities and baptisms. Take part in the joy of others. Celebrate with them. Encourage those who seem alone. Share your enthusiasm with someone struggling to feel it. Let your voice ring out in the hymns.

Deuteronomy 16:11 tells us how we should approach the Feast: “You shall rejoice before the Lord your God.” That rejoicing should also include “the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow…” In other words, everyone should rejoice—and we can help make that happen with our brotherly love.

Be Given to Hospitality

Romans 12:13 ends with “given to hospitality.” Given means to pursue it—to chase after it.

You do not need the nicest hotel room or reservations to the fanciest restaurant around. Keep things simple. Invite a few brethren to your room for lunch, snacks or even just coffee. If you are shy, team up with someone more outgoing. Hospitality draws people in and creates lasting memories.

Do not just stick to those you know well, whether your immediate family or members from your local congregation. Follow Christ’s words in Luke 14:13: “When you make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.” This means invite those who might otherwise be overlooked. Greet everyone warmly (I Thes. 5:26). Sit down and truly listen (Jms. 1:19).

You will be amazed at how God blesses even your smallest efforts to make others feel welcome.

Avoid Hypocrisy

Romans 12:9 offers a foundational instruction for showing brotherly love at the Feast: “Let love be without dissimulation.”

“Dissimulation” means hypocrisy—faking it. Paul is saying: Do not just go through the motions. Do not act loving while harboring something else inside. God wants our love to be genuine and part of who we are, not just polite on the surface.

This becomes especially important in high-pressure or emotional moments. The Feast can bring fatigue, misunderstandings and stress. These are precisely the times where sincere love is tested and revealed.

When tensions rise, remember Paul’s next phrase in verse 9: “Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” If we find ourselves in a bad attitude, we need to take action!

Some ways to cling to the good:

• Speak positively.
• Be quick to apologize if you slip up.
• Keep conversations positive and edifying.
• Look for the best in others—even when they may get on your nerves.

Paul’s later exhortation ties it all together: “If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men” (vs. 18). This does not mean we will never face challenges, but it does mean that we are responsible for how we respond.

Of the Same Mind

Romans 12:16 shows how united we should be in all we do. It says, “Be of the same mind one toward another.” The Feast should be a model of Christian unity—not divided by isolated cliques or competing preferences.

Psalm 133 beautifully expresses what this looks like, stating: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (vs. 1).

The next verses show that unity is both precious and refreshing. God the Father greatly enjoys seeing His children being unified in purpose and joy at His Feast. It models the perfect unity He desires in the Family of God.

A Living Sacrifice

To end, we will go to the very beginning of Romans 12. It begins with a bold call: “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (vs. 1). This verse frames everything we have just learned.

God wants our daily choices, habits, attitudes and how we use our time to be part of a living sacrifice—actively giving of ourselves to God and others. This is true every day of the year. But what better place to practice it than at the Feast?

Let’s all live out Romans 12 at the Feast this year. Let’s be kindly affectioned, preferring one another, distributing to the saints, fervent in spirit, rejoicing, hospitable, sincere and unified.

Each verse in this chapter offers another way to show brotherly love. Let’s make this Feast not just enjoyable—but spiritually meaningful, uplifting and richly rewarding for everyone around us.

Let’s make it the best Feast yet!