12:10a

Be devoted to one another: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Be devoted is similar to but different than the Greek word translated as “love” in 12:9a. This Greek word refers to affection and concern as among people in your own family. As brothers and sisters in faith in Jesus, believers should have this kind of family love for each other.

Some languages have a word with the above meaning. For example:

Family-love one another

Many languages do not have a separate word as the Greek does. Some languages will translate this word with a phrase. For example:

Love one another as brothers/sisters/siblings

Many English versions use the word “love” here and explain the kind of love in the next phrase. See next note.

in brotherly love: The Greek refers to affection for someone who is a good friend, often implying affection as among brothers and sisters. Here the word brotherly implies sisters as well.

12:10b

(New International Version🙂 Honor one another above yourselves: The Greek is more literally “About the honoring of one another, going-first-and-leading-the-way.” There are several ways to interpret the Greek word that means “going-first-and-leading-the-way” here. Here are the main ones:

(1) It means more than here. For example:

honor others more than you do yourself (Contemporary English Version)

(New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

(2) It means strive to do more than here. For example:

outdo one another in showing honor (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version)

(3) It means allowing others to go first here. For example:

give preference to one another in honor (New American Standard Bible)

(New American Standard Bible, King James Version)

(4) It means be eager here. For example:

be eager to show respect for one another (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the BDAG supports it.

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