Nor is it a new, different standard of right conduct. The text offers a living demonstration of servanthood. He gave Himself. The love that Christ explained and manifested had always been commanded but never so pointedly demonstrated or personified. This commandment was also new in respect to its objects.
Brotherly love is a special kind of love, going beyond love for one's neighbor.
It is intended for a special people-the people of God. Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you . . . He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in the darkness until now.