“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32
The One Another statements and commands of God in the N.T.
“Be kind – be tenderhearted – forgive, one another.” Paul wrote these words to the Ephesian church, challenging them how to live and to treat one another. As believers, we’re always going to be tested in our relationships with one another, and this is why the scripture is filled with encouragements to us about the practice of “one another-ing.” These commands in the Bible are for all believers.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34,35
Jesus taught us that loving one another would be a powerful testimony of the church, and that if we love one another, people would know that we are followers of Christ.
The Golden Rule of scripture teaches us to “do” to others, as we would want them to “do” to us.
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.” Matthew 7:12 ESV
There are over 50 “ONE ANOTHER” commands in scripture …
and the most repeated “one another” command in the N.T. is to “love one another.”
John 13:34,35, John 15:12,17; Romans 12:10; 13:8; Galatians 5:13;
1 Thess. 4:9; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 John 3:11, 23, 4:7, 11, 12; 2 John 5
We also, find warning against strife and division.
“Do not grumble against one another,…” – James 5:9 and
“Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:26
We’re called to do good to one another, to honor others, to help one another, and to prefer others more than ourselves. It’s all a very high calling. It seems simple (yet deeply profound) to say that if we as believers in Christ will put into practice the art of “one another-ing,” we’ll begin to fulfill the scripture in a more perfect way. The church will touch the world in greater ways. Let’s pay attention to this, but let’s also realize that it is Christ in us who empowers us to live in such a way. His grace, goodness, and kindness can be shown through us. This is all because He is the vine and we are the branches (John 15:5), and His life flows into us and through us, as we have been united with Jesus in faith and salvation.
God indeed places high priority on this.
59 “One Anothers” cited in the New Testament
1. “…Be at peace with each other.” (Mark 9:50)
2. “…Wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)
3. “…Love one another…” (John 13:34)
4. “…Love one another…” (John 13:34)
5. “…Love one another…” (John 13:35)
6. “…Love one another…” (John 15:12)
7. “…Love one another” (John 15:17)
8. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love…” (Romans 12:10)
9. “…Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)
10. “Live in harmony with one another…” (Romans 12:16)
11. “…Love one another…” (Romans 13:8)
12. “…Stop passing judgment on one another.” (Romans 14:13)
13. “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you…” (Romans 15:7)
14. “…Instruct one another.” (Romans 15:14)
15. “Greet one another with a holy kiss…” (Romans 16:16)
16. “…When you come together to eat, wait for each other.” (I Cor. 11:33)
17. “…Have equal concern for each other.” (I Corinthians 12:25)
18. “…Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (I Corinthians 16:20)
19. “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (II Corinthians 13:12)
20. “…Serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)
21. “If you keep on biting and devouring each other…you will be destroyed by each other.”
(Galatians :15)
22. “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Galatians 5:26)
23. “Carry each other’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2)
24. “…Be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)
25. “Be kind and compassionate to one another…” (Ephesians 4:32)
26. “…Forgiving each other…” (Ephesians 4:32)
27. “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” (Ephesians 5:19)
28. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21)
29. “…In humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
30. “Do not lie to each other…” (Colossians 3:9)
31. “Bear with each other…” (Colossians 3:13)
32. “…Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.” (Colossians 3:13)
33. “Teach…[one another]” (Colossians 3:16)
34. “…Admonish one another (Colossians 3:16)
35. “…Make your love increase and overflow for each other.” (I Thessalonians 3:12)
36. “…Love each other.” (I Thessalonians 4:9)
37. “…Encourage each other…”(I Thessalonians 4:18)
