John Calvin Commentary Genesis 13:8

"And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen; for we are brethren." — Genesis 13:8 (ASV)

And Abram said unto Lot. Moses first states that as soon as Abram perceived the disputes that had arisen, he fulfilled the duty of a good head of the household by attempting to restore peace among his household members; and that afterwards, through his moderation, he sought to remedy the evil by eliminating it.

And although only the servants were quarreling, it was not without reason that he said, Let there be no strife between me and thee: because it was almost inevitable that the contagion of the strife would spread from the servants to their masters, even though they were otherwise in complete agreement.

He also foresaw that their friendship could not long remain intact unless he attempted, in time, to heal the insidious evil. Moreover, he emphasizes the bond of kinship between them; not because this alone should be sufficient to promote mutual peace, but so that he might more easily sway and soften his nephew's mind.

For when the fear of God is less effective in us than it ought to be, it is also useful to employ other aids that may keep us to our duty. However, since we all have been adopted as sons of God with the attached condition that we should be brethren to one another, this sacred bond is valued by us less than it ought to be if it does not prove sufficient to settle our disputes.