Warm words, inclusive words! The apostle Paul, whom some regard as a stern character, used these words in most of his letters in his admonition and encouragement to the churches.
And it was none other than Jesus Christ who said, “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 reminded His listeners of this command in John 15 when He spoke about love and joy being perfected (v12,17). So let us see in what context Paul, as well as Peter and James, used this term.
Toward the end of his letter to the Romans where Paul gave practical counsel to the church, he used these reciprocal pronouns to reinforce Christian principles.
In chapter 12 verse 10, a beautiful text, he counsels, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another.” Then, several verses later, he says, “Be of the same mind to one another.” A suggestion to exercise Christian tact and courtesy?
Paul continues his “one another” counsels later in Romans where he says that the church in Rome, and everywhere for that matter, should “be like-minded toward one another,” should “accept one another” and even “admonish one another” (15:5,7,14).
His last use in Romans of one another is where he says, “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (16:16).
In this article I will refer to Bible books that include the phrase under consideration more than once. So we turn now to Paul’s letter to the Galatians. In this book, Paul introduces the concept of service for each other. In chapter five, verse 13 he says, in part, “but through love serve one another”. And then, in 6:2, he says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
In the beautiful book of Ephesians (4:2), many people’s favourite, we find further counsel concerning the relationship we should have with one another: “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing one another in love”. Obviously, Paul had in mind the ideal church, when he said, “And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you” (4:32). And in chapter five, verse 19, “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”.
Whenever differences arise, let us call to mind Paul’s counsel in Ephesians 4:25, where he says, “Therefore, putting away lying, each one speak truth with his neighbour, for we are members of one another.”
Paul continues this theme in his letter to the church at Colossae, where he continues the one another counsel in chapter three: “Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (v13). And, three verses later: “Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
And now I refer to another biblical writer to the early church, James, who became its leader. He gives some pointed counsel to the church in general. Note chapter four, verse 11: “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren.” Chapter five contains several one another admonitions, where he says, first, in verse nine, “Do not grumble against one another, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!” And then, in verse 16 we read of the relationship we should have amongst fellow church members: “Confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Finally, we turn to Peter’s letters for further counsel in the one another theme. In succeeding verses, he says, “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:9,10).
We can see from these passages quoted above that the concept of one another is a strongly biblical one. As Christians, we do not journey to our heavenly destiny alone. There are others with us who need our support and encouragement. Together, with one another and with Christ with us and guiding us, we will triumph.
William Ackland is a prolific writer who is now retired in Cooranbong (NSW).
