You may have heard of the biblical saying "Am I my brother's keeper?" from the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. Discover the scripture context of this phrase and the deeper meaning we can apply to our lives.
Bible Story of Cain and Abel
"And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." (Genesis 4:3-7 NKJV)
Both Cain and Abel worshiped the Lord and brought sacrifices to Him. The Lord accepted Abel and his gifts because Abel had a good and discerning heart. He discerned through faith the Lord's coming Incarnation and His sacrifice as a lamb for the salvation of the world (See Matthew 23:35, Luke 11:51, Hebrews 11:4).
The Lord rejected Cain and his gifts because the inward state of his heart was not right with God. As 1 John 3:12 says of him, "who was of the wicked one." His passions are described in Jude 11 as "the way of Cain."
'Am I My Brother's Keeper?' Bible Passage
Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth."
And Cain said to the Lord, "My punishment is greater than I can bear! Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me." And the Lord said to him, "Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold." And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him. Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden. (Genesis 4:8-16 NKJV, emphasis added)
Meaning of 'My Brother's Keeper'
Cain's way was characterized by the sinful passions that dominated him. One of these was extreme sorrow, made manifest in his fallen countenance. His arrogant worship was rejected, and he fell into the opposite condition of extreme sorrow. Whereas godly sorrow leads to humility and repentance, extreme sorrow or despair nullifies both as a lack of hope in God.
Because the Lord loved Cain, He sought to bring him to repentance. God commended him for having the right worship but reproved him for not having a proper heart disposition. He commanded him to still his heart through repentance, for it was filled with turbulence because of the passions. God also commanded Cain to be his brother's keeper. As the eldest, he was responsible for Abel's welfare.
Cain refused to deal with his passions through repentance, and his anger led to hate and murder. Cain rejected the notion that he was his brother's keeper and thus responsible for his welfare.
Cain used his guilt as an excuse to avoid repentance, for he did not believe in the grace of God. He willfully allowed his passions and sins to blind his heart. The name Nod referenced in Genesis 4:8 means "one who wanders away from God." Such was Cain's state, that he had missed the mark of being in communion with God through a loving and humble heart.
Bible Verses About Brotherly Love
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ~ Galatians 6:1-2
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. ~ Proverbs 17:17
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ~ Galatians 6:2
Let brotherly love continue. ~ Hebrews 13:1
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me ~ Matthew 25:35
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ~ Romans 12:10
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. ~ 1 John 3:16-18
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. ~ Ephesians 4:32
Read Also:
Bible Story of Cain and Abel
Bible Verses about Loving One Another
Why Love Must Be Kind and Patient
Sources:
Study Bible; St. Athanasius Academy, Elk Grove, CA.
Holy Bible, NKJV
Photo credit: Getty/tatyana_tomsickova
