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Having The Attitude Of “Fellow Feeling”

There’s an old English expression called “fellow-feeling” that is an attitude much needed in the Lord’s church today. As the Lord’s people we should be a “fellow feeling” people, with the capacity to feel joy with others when they have occasion for joy, sorrow in times of sorrow, and compassion in times of need (Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 12:24-26; 1 Peter 3:8 YLT).

Brethren in the first century were “fellow-feeling” folks. They maintained an atmosphere of sharing and mutual concern, providing for one another’s needs (Acts 2:44-46). Luke tells us, “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul” (Acts 4:32), and that none among them lacked anything because the others all gave of what they had (Acts 4:34-35).

The principle of “fellow-feeling” applied not only to their material needs, but to their spiritual needs as well. For example, a Levite by the name of Joseph contributed his wealth, selling a piece of property and giving the proceeds to the apostles to distribute. He was also called Barnabas, the “son of encouragement” for his efforts to edify the saints (Acts 4:36-37 ESV).

Paul admonished the brethren in Rome to:

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality” (Romans 12:10-13).

When the apostle described genuine love to the Christians in Corinth, he did so using actions that define empathy: longsuffering, kindness, and unselfishness (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). If we truly love one another, we will exhibit the patience necessary to seek out each other’s needs, and minister to them kindly and sacrificially (James 1:27).

Part of fostering this concept of “fellow-feeling” among Christians, is recognizing that every saint has value. We are each different from one another, but we all have qualities and talents that are essential to the life of the body of Christ — the church (1 Corinthians 12:20-23; Ephesians 4:11-16; cf. Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:24).

In the physical world, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link; a wall is only as sturdy as its weakest brick. Therefore, in order for the Lord’s church to maintain soundness, we must continue to shore one another up — to encourage one another, so that even the weakest among us is made strong (Romans 15:1-2; Gal. 6:1-2).

The Bible assures us that our God cares for us (1 Peter 5:7; cf. Psalm 55:22). That being true, we should not only deeply care for all those who are His — but daily demonstrate that care (1 Corinthians 12:24-26; cf. Philippians 2:19-30).