As God sends rain upon both the just and the unjust, so we should love not only our brothers but also our enemies.

[jidong xiao]

神圣的爱比人的爱高尚。在质上，可能也在量上，神圣的爱都超过人的爱。有时候，我们也许用一点弟兄的爱，狭窄、有限的爱弟兄。在我们的爱里也许有偏爱，我们也许爱某些弟兄过于别人。我们也许宣称我们爱众圣徒，但我们对他们的爱并不一样。因为彼得很老练，并知道圣徒中间的情况，所以他不停在弟兄相爱，而往前说到爱，说到神圣的爱，就是父神用以爱全人类，爱信徒和罪人，那深刻、高尚的爱。

在马太五章四十四至四十七节主耶稣说，“但是我告诉你们，要爱你们的仇敌，为那逼迫你们的祷告，你们就可以作你们诸天之上父的儿子；因为祂叫祂的日头上升，照恶人，也照好人；降雨给义人，也给不义的人。你们若爱那爱你们的人，有甚么赏赐？税吏不也是这样行么？你们若单向你们的弟兄问安，有甚么过人的长处？外邦人不也是这样行么？”正如神降雨给义人，也给不义的人，照样，我们应当不仅爱我们的弟兄，也爱我们的仇敌。人要爱自己的弟兄，不需要花许多力量或精力。但要爱我们的仇敌，的确需要特别的力量和精力。我们都需要有这高尚的爱。

Agape is nobler than phileo. In quality and perhaps also in quantity agape is greater than phileo. Sometimes we may love the brothers in a narrow, limited way with a certain amount of brotherly love. In our love we may have preferences and love certain brothers more than others. We may claim that we love all the saints, but our love for them is not the same. Because Peter was experienced and knew the situation among the saints, he did not stop with brotherly love but went on to speak of love, of agape, the deep and noble love with which God the Father loves all mankind, both believers and sinners.

 In Matthew 5:44-47 the Lord Jesus said, "But I say to you, Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may become sons of your Father who is in the heavens, because He makes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not also the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what are you doing extraordinary? Do not also the nations do the same?" As God sends rain upon both the just and the unjust, so we should love not only our brothers but also our enemies. It does not take much strength or energy for someone to love his own brother. But it does take a special strength and energy to love our enemies. We all need to have this noble love.