The phrase “one another” is derived from the Greek word allelon which means “one another, each other; mutually, reciprocally.” It occurs 100 times in the New Testament. Approximately 59 of those occurrences are specific commands teaching us how (and how not) to relate to one another. Obedience to those commands is imperative. It forms the basis for all true Christian community, and has a direct impact on our witness to the world (John 13:35). In addition to allelon, the Bible uses other words and phrases to instruct us how to relate to others. With that in mind, the following list is not exhaustive, and primarily focuses on the use of allelon.
Unity. One third of the one-another commands deal with the unity of the church.
· Be at peace with one another (Mk 9:50)
· Don’t grumble among one another (Jn 6:43)
· Be of the same mind with one another (Ro 12:16, 15:5)
· Accept one another (Ro 15:7)
· Wait for one another before beginning the Eucharist (1 Co 11:33)
· Don’t boastfully challenge or envy one another (Ga 5:26).
· Gently, patiently tolerate one another (Ep 4:2)
· Be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving to one another (Ep 4:32)
· Bear with and forgive one another (Co 3:13)
· Seek good for one another, and don’t repay evil for evil (1 Th 5:15)
· Don’t complain against one another (Jas 4:11, 5:9)
· Confess sins to one another (Jas 5:16)
Love. One third of them instruct Christians to love one another.
· Love one another (Jn 13:34, 15:12, 17; Ro 13:8; 1 Th 3:12, 4:9; 1 Pe 1:22; 1 Jn 3:11, 4:7, 11; 2 Jn 5)
· Through love, serve one another (Ga 5:13)
· Tolerate one another in love (Ep 4:2)
· Greet one another with a kiss of love (1 Pe 5:14)
· Be devoted to one another in love (Ro 12:10)
Humility. About 15% stress an attitude of humility and deference among believers.
· Give preference to one another in honor (Ro 12:10)
· Regard one another as more important than yourselves (Php 2:3)
· Serve one another (Ga 5:13)
· Wash one another’s feet (Jn 13:14)
· Don’t be haughty: be of the same mind (Ro 12:16)
· Be subject to one another (Ep 5:21)
· Clothe yourselves in humility toward one another (1 Pe 5:5)
Here’s the rest:
· Do not judge one another, and don’t put a stumbling block in a brother’s way (Ro 14:13)
· Greet one another with a kiss (Ro 16:16; 1 Co 16:20; 2 Co 13:12)
· Husbands and wives: don’t deprive one another of physical intimacy (1 Co 7:5)
· Bear one another’s burdens (Ga 6:2)
· Speak truth to one another (Ep 4:25)
· Don’t lie to one another (Co 3:9)
· Comfort one another concerning the resurrection (1 Th 4:18)
· Encourage and build up one another (1 Th 5:11)
· Stimulate one another to love and good deeds (He 10:24)
· Pray for one another (Jas 5:16)
· Be hospitable to one another (1 Pe 4:9)
