Within Scripture, there are two words describing how two or more things relate in nature, essences, or defining characteristics.
Things that are different (ἕτερος) differ in essence, category, or defining characteristics. In Galatians 1:6, Paul expresses his wonder at how quickly the saints in the Galatian region turned from the One who called them by grace to a different gospel. This is not the same kind of gospel, but a message with a distinct essence, setting it apart from the true message of grace and salvation (Galatians 1:6–7). The Corinthian assembly also tolerated those who taught a different gospel and received a different spirit (2 Corinthians 11:4).
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of the Christ (Galatians 1:6–7)
For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it! (2 Corinthians 11:4)
A woman who marries a different man while her husband lives is an adulteress. However, if her husband passes away, she is free from the law of marriage to be joined with a different man (Romans 7:3). In a similar way, those in Christ are dead to the law, married to another, and are therefore free to live out the righteousness they have in Christ (Romans 7:4).
So then if, while her husband lives, she marries a different man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married a different man (Romans 7:3).
Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to a different one—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God (Romans 7:4)
As Paul learned to overcome his sin nature, he discovered that law does not work out the good he desires. Within his members, he finds a different law, one that wars against his mind and brings him into captivity to the law of the sin nature (Romans 7:23).
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members (Romans 7:23).
In the Corinthian assembly, some of the carnal saints sought to distinguish themselves from other members by claiming to follow different men. One says, “I am of Paul”, and a different one says, “I am of Apollos.” Paul reminds them that men are only ministers through whom they believed, it is God who gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:4–6).
For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and different one, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase (1 Corinthians 3:4–6).
In the upper room, on the night Christ was betrayed, he gave the Church a new commandment through the eleven disciples who remained by His side. This new commandment is to love one another (of the same kind) as Christ has loved them (John 13:34). Expressing this type of love involves dedicating your life always to seek what is best for other Christians you encounter (1 John 3:16).
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another of the same kind (John 13:34).
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16).
This type of love is not to be expressed toward the world nor the things of the world (1 John 2:15). It is a love that displays a person’s faith in Christ, through which unbelievers will know that he is a disciple of Christ (John 13:35).
Stop loving the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15).
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35).
“A different kind” and “the same kind” both classify the relationship of objects to each other. When different is used, although there may be similarities, such as both being a message, their fundamental nature is distinct from each other. When another is expressed, it conveys the same nature, essence, or characteristics of the object compared to it.
Especially when it comes to the gospel of Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit, let us not be quickly turned from the one who called us by grace in Christ to another gospel of works. This different gospel is a message that bases our righteousness on our works rather than on who we are in Christ. We must also be cautious not to accept another spirit. One that will bring confusion and disorder. God is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).
