There are over 50 references in the New Testament about how we are to relate to “one another.” Most of these passages address our behavior, not just our attitudes.
I pray that the Holy Spirit uses this list to make you more Christ-like in your relationships!
Love One Another
John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Romans 12:10, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
Galatians 5:13, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Ephesians 4:2, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,”
Hebrews 10:24, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,”
Hebrews 13:1, “Let brotherly love continue.”
1 Peter 1:22, “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,”
1 Peter 3:8, “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”
1 Peter 4:8, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
1 John 3:11, “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”
1 John 3:23, “And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.”
1 John 4:7, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
1 John 4:11, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
1 John 4:12, “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”
2 John 1:5, “And now I ask you, dear lady–not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning–that we love one another.”
Be of One Mind with One Another
Romans 12:16, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”
1 Corinthians 1:10, “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”
1 Thessalonians 5:13, “and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”
1 Peter 3:8, “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”
The word “unity” in 1 Peter 3:8 means literally to be “of one mind” or to be “like minded.” From the Bible we learn how God thinks. Then, in faith we apply His Word as the Spirit shows us. Being of the same mind with one another is embracing God’s viewpoint or attitudes towards life and one another. When we have the mind of Christ, we think with His values, we possess His vision and we allow Him to change our attitudes which in turn will change our actions toward one another. What can you do today to gain more of the mind of Christ?
Bearing with One Another
1 Corinthians 11:33, “So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another–”
1 Corinthians 12:25, “that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”
Galatians 5:13, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Ephesians 4:2, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
In the last verse, “bearing with” one another is literally “to hold up.” Additionally, it conveys the ideas of “to endure, to bear with, put up with,” either in relationships or circumstances. In the context of Ephesians 4:2, the Word points us to four qualities that are needed to “bear with” one another: humility, gentleness, patience, and love. Our natural tendency is to be provoked by others especially when they do not share our ideas or convictions. When we cling to our desires rather than the well being of others, unity is threatened and we are in danger of hurting others.
Instead of getting provoked, Paul instructs us to “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) Being kind and compassionate means doing whatever is beneficial and benevolent to others. Forgiving one another is extending grace, treating others as Christ treats us.
Who is grating on you right now? How can you extend Christ’s love to that person by “bearing with” him/her and place his/her interests ahead your own?
Encourage One Another
1 Thessalonians 4:18, “Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
Hebrews 3:13, “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
When Paul wrote his first letter to the Thessalonian church they were facing severe trials and persecutions (1 Thessalonians 1:6 and 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4). Yet Paul told them that they not only had the ability, but also the responsibility to encourage one another and to show their support for each other.
[Tweet “Every Christian is to be involved in the process of building up other Christians.”] The word “encourage” in the above verses is the Greek word “parakaleo” which translates as “comfort” or “encourage.” The word can also mean “to summon, or to call to one’s side to give aid” as one who comes alongside another to give aid, strength, comfort, and courage.
Who do you know needs encouragement today? Look around. Most likely many of the Christians around you are hurting and need your encouragement to bring courage to their lives.
Come Together With One Another
Hebrews 10:25, “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Romans 15:14, “I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.”
Ephesians 5:19, “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,”
Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Hebrews 10:25, “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:24 says: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,” The Greek text literally translates: “let us consider one another to stimulate (incite, promote) to love and good works.” The word “consider” is the Greek word “katanoeo” which means “to consider attentively, to perceive, to observe.” The author of Hebrews is calling us to take notice or pay attention to people so that we might better understand each others needs and pain. That way we can minister to those needs with a listening ear, an open caring heart, an encouraging word, and loving actions. But, to be able to do this we need to come together with one another.
How about you? Are you coming together with other Christians in the context of the local Church to stimulate other towards love and good deeds?
Greet One Another
Romans 16:16, “Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.”
1 Corinthians 16:20, “All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.”
2 Corinthians 13:12, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”
1 Peter 5:14, “Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.”
The command to “greet one another with a holy kiss” is found four times in the New Testament. The Greek word that is translated “greet” means “to greet or to welcome,” but the basic idea seemed to be “to embrace.” In the New Testament epistles “a holy kiss” was a sign of love, affection, and genuine interest in others. “A holy kiss” is different within each culture. Here in the US, it would be a warm hand shake, an arm around the shoulder, or a hug. But, however we extend “a holy kiss” today, we are encouraged to greet one another warmly and genuinely.
How are you doing with extending “a holy kiss” to other Christians?
Yet More One Another Commands
Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Ephesians 5:21, “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
Colossians 3:13, “bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
1 Thessalonians 5:15, “See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”
1 Peter 4:9, “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
1 Peter 5:5, “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.””
James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Negative One Another Commands
Romans 14:13, “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”
Galatians 5:26, “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Colossians 3:9, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices”
James 4:11, “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.”
James 5:9, “Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
