The desire for love and sympathy was implanted in the heart by God himself. Christ in his hour of agony in Gethsemane, while bearing the guilt of sinful men, longed for the sympathy of his disciples. And Paul, though almost indifferent to hardship and suffering, yearned for sympathy and companionship. God would have his people cherish love and sympathy for one another. Humanity, elevated, ennobled, and rendered Godlike, is worthy of respect and esteem. The sons and daughters of God will be tender-hearted, pitiful, courteous, to all men, “especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” But Paul was bound to his fellow-disciples by a stronger tie than even that of Christian brotherhood. The Lord had revealed himself to Paul in a special manner, and had made him instrumental in the salvation of many souls. Many churches might in truth regard him as their father in the gospel. Such a man, who had sacrificed every earthly consideration in the service of God, had a special claim upon the love and sympathy of his converts and fellow-laborers. {LP 309.2}

Ønsket om kærlighed og sympati blev indplantede Gud selv i hjertet. I pinslens stund i Getsemane længtes Kristus efter sine disciples sympati, medens han bar syndige menneskers skyld. Og selvom Paulus var ligeglad med vanskeligheder og lidelse, længtes han efter sympati og kammeratskab. Gud vil have at hans folk skal værne om kærlighed og sympati for hinanden. Den ophøjede, forædlede og Gudsskabte menneskehed, er respekt og påskønnelse værdig. Guds sønner og døtre vil være ømhjertede, medynkende, og høflige mod alle mennesker, »især mod dem, der har hjemme i den samme tro.« Men Paulus var bundet til hans meddisciple af stærkere bånd, end endog det kristne broderskab. Herren havde åbenbaret sig selv for Paulus på en særlig måde, og havde gjort ham til redskab for frelse af mange sjæle. Mange menigheder kan i sandheden betragte ham som deres fader i evangeliet. Disse som har oftret alt jordisk for at tjene Gud, har særlig krav på hans nyomvendte og medarbejderes kærlighed og sympati.