‘“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 love one another (John 13:34, 35).”’

You can be sure that where there’s repetition in the Lord’s word, what is being said is important – no more so, than with the term ‘one another’, which in the New Testament is mentioned 59 times! The same term is also translated as ‘each other’, and both terms are used in the context of behavioural relationships between two or more people.

It’s always about how Christians are expected to treat their brothers and sisters in Christ – their actions, in light of their intentions. In every instance it is to do with the conduct of church members when they engage with others, individually and collectively.

The fundamental, overarching behavioural rule is for things to be done in love, in the ‘agape’ sense, i.e., charitably, and with no expectation of anything in return – a love that is freely given, irrespective of the response that may come from those to whom love is shown. Thus, the instigator’s intentions and desires are always for the good of the recipients.

Mentions of “One Another” in the New Testament

Let’s examine a few of the 59 mentions of ‘one another’ or ‘each other’, within their contexts, to see if we can learn something from them that may help us to live out the word of God (Philippians 2:12) to the best of our ability.

Fundamental in our Christian life is our desire to love one another as Christ loves us. We love Him, because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Our response is to love Him and to do as He has commanded, i.e., to love one another (John 13:34, 35; 15:12, 17). Paul the Apostle exhorts us to ‘Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love (12:10a). and to ‘….. love one another (13:8).’ In Galatians 5:13 he tells us to ‘….. serve one another in love.’

In our love for one another we are to ‘ … stop passing judgment on one another (Romans 14:13),’ and we are to, ‘honour one another above ourselves (12:10b).’ Primarily, we are to, ‘Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2),’ which is His law of love (Matthew 19:19).

In our relationships we are to be forgiving (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13) and submissive to one another (Ephesians 5:21). Within this context we are to confess our sins to one another (James 5:16), and we are to bear with one another (Colossians 3:13).

A very important rule for all of us is building each other up in our daily lives. We are to ‘encourage’ one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11) in our devotion to Christ and the pursuit of living holy lives to His glory.

Christ’s *relationship with His people should be reflected in His people’s relationship with one another. As He loves them, so they should love one another (John 13:34).

*God/Man Relationships

https://thebiblicalway.blog/2017/11/17/relationships/

59 X ‘One Another’ or ‘Each Other’ Found in the New Testament

1. “…Be at peace with each other.” (Mark 9:50)

   2. “…Wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)

3. “…Love one another…” (John 13:34)

4. “…Love one another…” (John 13:34)

5. “…Love one another…” (John 13:35)

6. “…Love one another…” (John 15:12)

7. “…Love one another” (John 15:17)

8. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love…” (Romans 12:10)

9. “…Honour one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)

10. “Live in harmony with one another…” (Romans 12:16)

11. “…Love one another…” (Romans 13:8)

12. “…Stop passing judgment on one another.” (Romans 14:13)

13. “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you…” (Romans 15:7)

14. “…Instruct one another.” (Romans 15:14)

15. “Greet one another with a holy kiss…” (Romans 16:16)

16. “…When you come together to eat, wait for each other.” (I Cor. 11:33)

17. “…Have equal concern for each other.” (I Corinthians 12:25)

18. “…Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (I Corinthians 16:20)

19. “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (II Corinthians 13:12)

20. “…Serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)

21. “If you keep on biting and devouring each other…you will be destroyed by each other.”
(Galatians 5:15)

22. “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Galatians 5:26)

23. “Carry each other’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2)

24. “…Be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)

25. “Be kind and compassionate to one another…” (Ephesians 4:32)

26. “…Forgiving each other…” (Ephesians 4:32)

27. “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” (Ephesians 5:19)

28. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21)

29. “…In humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)

30. “Do not lie to each other…” (Colossians 3:9)

31. “Bear with each other…” (Colossians 3:13)

32. “…Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.” (Colossians 3:13)

33. “Teach…[one another]” (Colossians 3:16)

34. “…Admonish one another (Colossians 3:16)

35. “…Make your love increase and overflow for each other.” (I Thessalonians 3:12)

36. “…Love each other.” (I Thessalonians 4:9)

37. “…Encourage each other…”(I Thessalonians 4:18)

38. “…Encourage each other…” I Thessalonians 5:11)

39. “…Build each other up…” (I Thessalonians 5:11)

40. “Encourage one another daily…” Hebrews 3:13)

41. “…Spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24)

42. “…Encourage one another.” (Hebrews 10:25)

43. “…Do not slander one another.” (James 4:11)

44. “Don’t grumble against each other…” (James 5:9)

45. “Confess your sins to each other…” (James 5:16)

46. “…Pray for each other.” (James 5:16)

47. “…Love one another deeply, from the heart.” (I Peter 3:8)

48. “…Live in harmony with one another…” (I Peter 3:8)

49. “…Love each other deeply…” (I Peter 4:8)

50. “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (I Peter 4:9)

51. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others…” (I Peter 4:10)

52. “…Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another…”(I Peter 5:5)

53. “Greet one another with a kiss of love.” (I Peter 5:14)

54. “…Love one another.” (I John 3:11)

55. “…Love one another.” (I John 3:23)

56. “…Love one another.” (I John 4:7)

57. “…Love one another.” (I John 4:11)

58. “…Love one another.” (I John 4:12)

59. “…Love one another.” (II John 5)