Disclaimer: About This Blog

THIS BLOG IS: my personal journey of how I am rethinking some of my spiritual beliefs.
THIS BLOG IS NOT: intended to point fingers at people who I think are wrong.
I do not believe the final judgement will be based on how many correct answers we get on a theology exam. I believe many people throughout history have had genuine relationships with God, despite holding questionable beliefs and practices. I make no claim to having it all figured out or being your judge. If we end up disagreeing over these topics I pray we can find a way to demonstrate grace.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Five W's of One Another



I'd like compile a list of the "one another" verses from the NT and consider the five W's: Who, What, Where, When and Why? And sure we can even ask How.

Part 1: Five W's of One Another - intro and verses showing what the one anothers are
Part 2: Who One Another
Part 3: Where One Another
Part 4: When One Another
Part 5: Why One Another
Part 6: How One Another 

I'll start with the what.

What one another verses?

What instructions and examples are given regarding one another?

The New Testament has a lot to say on the topic of one another. Take a look at what it says.

John 13:34-35 (NIV)
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
More love one another verses:- Romans 12:10, Romans 13:8, Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, Hebrews 10:24, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 3:8, 1 John 3:11, 1 John 3:23, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:11-12, 2 John 1:5

Romans 12:10 (NIV)
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:16 (NIV)
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Romans 14:13 (NIV)
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
Romans 15:7 (NIV)
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Romans 15:14 (NIV)
I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
Romans 16:16 (NIV)
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.
More on kissing one another: 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Peter 5:14

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Galatians 5:13 (NIV)
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.Link
Ephesians 5:19 (NIV)
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
More on encouraging one another: 2 Corinthians 13:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:18, Hebrews 3:13

Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
James 4:11 (NIV)
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
1 Peter 4:9 (NIV)
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
(Edit: Thanks Tim for doing your part to teach one another and pointing me to this important verse I overlooked. )
Ephesians 4:25 (HCSB)
Since you put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another.

So what are the instructions in these one another verses? Hospitality, humility, harmony, not slandering, encouraging, teaching, admonishing (giving advice), agreeing with, forgiving, submitting, singing together, kindness, compassion, bearing with, serving, accepting, and the repeated call to love one another. (I'm going to ignore the kissing part for cultural reasons.)

I find this list fairly challenging. It is a good reminder of the many ways I believe I am called to interact with other believers. Some are easier said than done.

What do you think about this list? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I'll get into the other W's in future posts.

3 comments:

Howard Schultz said...

Right on Jon's journey, where is the verse that says live at peace as much as possible in this world.
For remember Jon the sick need adoctor and the doctor is in you, and me fixing us unto preach the message of reconciliation, unto the lost. So if we are only doing this to te house of God, (CHURCH) then others will not join unless they act like you, me, or those over there. Love one another is all people, just as God loves all unconditionally. But before one goes to them one will be called as Abram was called to take his Son. God loves all and it is God's wish that more Pauls that were Sauls come into the fold. Just my two cents from God through me, thanks for letting me post on your blog.
I have a blog as well it is http://www.godjustloveyou.blogspot.com please if want read it and post, i will post what you write, for I believe you are led by the Holy Ghost

Tim A said...

Because you used the niv you missed one - the most important.

 Eph 4:25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.

The niv falsely substitutes body for "another"

This one another is our identity one another not a behavioral one another. It is Gods design one another. Our positional connection to each other upon which all the other one another's are founded.

Jonathan said...

Thanks Tim, you are right, same word allēlōn. I'll edit my post and add it in. Thanks.