There are over fifty “one another” verses in Scripture (the exact number depends on your translation). One anothering describes how those in the kingdom of God interact. It characterizes community, friendship, fellowship, koinonia. I decided to do a fresh study of these exhortations in scripture. Here are my observations.

There’s a whole lot of loving going on. In fact, “love one another” is repeated far more than any other command (18 times on this list). Peter sums it up best, “Above all, love” (1 Pet 4:8).

• Love one another. (Jn 13:34–35; 15:12, 17; Rom 13:8; 1 Thess 4:9; 1 Jn 3:11, 23; 4:7, 11–12; 2 Jn 5)
• Be devoted to one another in sisterly love. (Rom 12:10)
• Serve one another in love. (Gal 5:13)
• Make your love increase and overflow for each other. (I Thess 3:12)
• Above all, love each other deeply, from the heart. (1 Pet 1:22; 4:8)

The goal of one anothering is living peaceably and harmoniously. This comes through practicing acceptance, forbearance, and forgiveness.

• Be at peace with each other. (Mk 9:50)
• Live in harmony with one another. (Rom 12:16; 1 Pet 3:8)
• Accept one another just as Christ accepted you. (Rom 15:7)
• Be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Eph 4:2; Col 3:13)
• Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. (Col 3:13; Eph 4:32)

The one anothers move us to put others before ourselves, which requires kindness, humility, and yes, submission.

• Be kind and compassionate to one another. (Eph 4:32)
• Honor one another above yourselves. (Rom 12:10)
• Have equal concern for each other. (I Cor 12:25)
• Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Eph 5:21)
• In humility consider others better than yourselves. (Phil 2:3)
• Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another. (I Pet 5:5)

We demonstrate this attitude in general ways such as bearing burdens, encouraging, and spurring others on.

• Carry each other’s burdens. (Gal 6:2)
• Encourage each other. (I Thess 4:18; 5:11)
• Build each other up. (I Thess 5:11)
• Spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Heb 10:24)

In case we haven’t figured out how to do this yet, we are given practical and specific things we can do for each other.

• Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. (Eph 5:19)
• Confess your sins to each other. (Jam 5:16)
• Instruct one another. (Rom 15:14)
• Teach… [one another]. (Col 3:16)
• Pray for each other. (Jam 5:16)
• Admonish one another. (Col 3:16)
• Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (I Pet 4:9)
• Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others. (I Pet 4:10)
• Greet one another with a holy kiss. (Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20)
• When you come together to eat, wait for each other. (I Cor 11:33)
• Wash one another’s feet. (Jn 13:14)

Finally there are some things we should avoid:

• Stop passing judgment on one another. (Rom 14:13)
• Do not lie to each other. (Col 3:9)
• Do not slander one another. (Jam 4:11)
• Don’t grumble against each other. (Jam 5:9)

In his book, Embracing Soul Care, author Stephen W. Smith says:

These “one another” passages are more plentiful than instruction to evangelize. Spirituality exists within community. Evidently God saw this as a basic human need and made sure that we had lots of reinforcement in the Bible about friendship and community. Something spiritual happens when we are together.

Stephen W. Smith, Embracing Soul Care, pg. 232

Please do not feel burdened by this long list of yet more things to do in your own strength. Our whole Christian life is one of cooperation with the Holy Spirit. He redeems and we live out our new good and holy self (Eph 4:23–24). He transforms our minds so we can do his will (Rom 12:2). We work out our salvation and he works his will in us (Phil 2:12–13). We can’t do anything unless we remain in him (John 15:5). He helps and empowers us to one another each other (2 Pet 1:3).

Which of the one anothers have you been the recipient of?

Which ones do you need to practice more regularly?

Who might you one another today? How?

PRAYER

Lord God, if we all followed through on these one anothers, what a church (and world) we would have! Your standard is high and I fall short so often. Please, Holy Spirit, show me how I can love others deeply, from my heart. That means I need your empowering to love as you love. Guide me to proactively, practically one another someone today.