From Tim Chester:
All the New Testament writers refer often to what we are to do to or for ‘one another’ (or ‘each other’ – the Greek is the same). This concept of ‘one anothering’ is a central feature of New Testament ecclesiology, albeit one which receives little attention in contemporary academic discussions. Some time ago I worked through these ‘one anothering’ statements and summarized them in to the following categories. (I’m posting them after a request to do so form someone who listened to my audio talks on ‘rethinking church’.)
* be at peace with one another, forgiving, agreeing, humble, accepting, forbearing, living in harmony and greeting with a kiss
* do not judge, lie or grumble
* show hospitality to one another
* confess your sins to one another
* be kind to one another, concerned, devoted, serving and doing good
* instruct and teach one another
* admonish, exhort and stir up one another
* comfort and encourage one another
Reflection questions
1. Which do you think you (as a church and as an individual) are good at?
2. Which do you think you (as a church and as an individual) are not very good at?
3. What stops you (as a church and as an individual) doing more ‘one anothering’?
This list is based on the following verses:Mark 9:50
John 13:34-35*
Romans 12:10
Romans 12:16 (Romans 15:5)
Romans 14:13
Romans 15:7
Romans 15:14
Romans 16:16 (1 Peter 5:14)
1 Corinthians 12:25
2 Corinthians 13:11-12
Galatians 5:13
Ephesians 4:2Ephesians 4:32 (Colossians 3:13)
Ephesians 5:21
Colossians 3:9
Colossians 3:16 (Ephesians 5:19)
1 Thessalonians 5:11; 4:18
1 Thessalonians 5:15
Hebrews 3:13
Hebrews 10:24-25
James 5:9
James 5:16
1 Peter 4:8-10
1 Peter 5:5
*See also John 15:12,17; Romans 13:8; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11,23; 4:7,11-12; 2 John 5.
