Rom 12:10 | MHM | STEP | v. 10 : (1.) An affectionate love: Be kindly affectioned one to another, with brotherly love. The word in the original, philostorgoi , means not only love, but a readiness and inclination to love—a genuine and free affection, kindness flowing out as from a spring. It properly describes the love of parents for their children, which is the most tender and natural of all, unforced and unconstrained. Such should our love be to one another, and such it will be where there is a new nature and the law of love is written in the heart. This kind affection leads us to express ourselves, both in word and action, with the greatest courtesy and kindness. One to another —this reminds us that as it is our duty to love others, so it is equally their duty to love us. And what can be sweeter on this side of heaven than to love and be loved? He that waters others with kindness will himself be refreshed. (2.) A respectful love: In honour preferring one another. Instead of competing for superiority, let us be eager to give others the place of honor. This is explained in Phil. 2:3— Let each esteem other better than themselves. And there is good reason for it: if we know our own hearts, we know more faults in ourselves than in anyone else. We should be quick to notice the gifts, graces, and good works of our brothers and sisters, and value them accordingly—more ready to praise another, and more pleased to hear another praised, than ourselves. The Greek, tē timē allēlous proēgoumenoi , may be rendered "going before, or leading one another in honour"—not in taking honor, but in giving it. Let our only competition be to see who can be most humble, most helpful, and most willing to serve. This is the same spirit as Tit. 3:14— proistasthai , to go before in good works. We are to prefer others, and count them more capable and deserving than ourselves.

‏ Romans 12:10

v. 10: (1.) An affectionate love: Be kindly affectioned one to another, with brotherly love. The word in the original, philostorgoi, means not only love, but a readiness and inclination to love—a genuine and free affection, kindness flowing out as from a spring. It properly describes the love of parents for their children, which is the most tender and natural of all, unforced and unconstrained. Such should our love be to one another, and such it will be where there is a new nature and the law of love is written in the heart. This kind affection leads us to express ourselves, both in word and action, with the greatest courtesy and kindness. One to another—this reminds us that as it is our duty to love others, so it is equally their duty to love us. And what can be sweeter on this side of heaven than to love and be loved? He that waters others with kindness will himself be refreshed.

(2.) A respectful love: In honour preferring one another. Instead of competing for superiority, let us be eager to give others the place of honor. This is explained in Phil. 2:3—Let each esteem other better than themselves. And there is good reason for it: if we know our own hearts, we know more faults in ourselves than in anyone else. We should be quick to notice the gifts, graces, and good works of our brothers and sisters, and value them accordingly—more ready to praise another, and more pleased to hear another praised, than ourselves. The Greek, tē timē allēlous proēgoumenoi, may be rendered "going before, or leading one another in honour"—not in taking honor, but in giving it. Let our only competition be to see who can be most humble, most helpful, and most willing to serve. This is the same spirit as Tit. 3:14—proistasthai, to go before in good works. We are to prefer others, and count them more capable and deserving than ourselves.