"One Anothers" in the Bible

Sara Hanna
Jan 8
3 min read

Updated: Jan 11

Take a moment to reflect on that special Christian friend or sister who has supported you exactly when you needed it. She understood your needs at just the right moment. Whether it was encouragement, truth that needed to be spoken, love, or a prayer offered on your behalf, she was there. The Bible contains numerous commands about how we should act and care for one another. In the New Testament, there are about 50 "One Another" commands, and nearly as many in the Old Testament, guiding us on how to care for, love, encourage, honor, and get along with each other, among other things. I am deeply grateful for these commands of love, grace, and encouragement, as I often fall short and need a dear sister in Christ to help me get back on track. God has faithfully provided Christian sisters wherever we have lived to minister to me, and I believe He has done the same for you. Let's explore some of these "One Another" scriptures as we aim to love and support each other this year.

LOVE ONE ANOTHER - In John 13:34-35, Jesus tells us that we will stand out in this world because we are different. We are to love one another as Christ loved us and "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." We are taught by God to love each other (1 Thess. 4:9). If you have spare time, 1 Thessalonians is a great chapter to read for many goodies on how to treat others. In John 15:17, Jesus says, "This is my command: Love one another" and again in 1 John 3:23. And in Romans 12:9-21, we see what love in action looks like. Love is why Jesus went to the cross, love is what we all long for, love is a command and love is what every single person on this earth longs for. Love is for sharing. Reach out in love to those around you today.

COMFORT AND EDIFY ONE ANOTHER - In the body of Christ, our attitude should be "all for one and one for all." When one member of the church is hurting, it is felt throughout the church body. We minister to each other during good times by edifying or lifting each other up, and during times of sadness or trials, we comfort each other. Building each other up, developing each other, and growing together is such a privilege that God has blessed us with. I can't tell you how often I have been blessed by words of encouragement within our women's ministry group with other ladies who speak into my life. Some verses that address this are 1 Thess. 5:11 and Romans 14:19. Edifying one another is so important as we assist each other in growing in Christlikeness.

SERVE ONE ANOTHER - So often we are so busy growing ourselves or our families in the Lord that we forget to serve one another. It's great to focus on our own relationship with God, but we must use the freedom that He gives us in this life to serve one another (Gal. 5:13-14). In Galatians 6:2, Paul instructs the Galatian Christians to share their burdens with each other. Sometimes we need to take off the blinders that have us focused inwardly so that we can see how we might serve others. Romans 15:3 tells us to "Serve one another as Christ served you." We see a perfect example of this when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples in John 13:14-15.

These are just three ways that we are commanded to minister to one another. There are many other verses addressing "one another" opportunities that we have to pattern our lives after that of Jesus. Not judging, having patience, submitting, being kind and compassionate to one another are other ways (as well as many others) that are commanded in the Bible. Philippians 2:3-5 perhaps best sums it up encouraging us not to look out for our own interests, but to take an interest in others too, having the same attitude that Christ had.

If you have spare time this week, do a google search on the "one another" verses in the Bible. Make your Heavenly Father even prouder than He is of you as you seek the priority of others in your life as you serve Him.

This week, ask God to reveal how you can uplift, love, build up, and serve those nearby. Pray to view others as Christ does, and to act as His hands and feet in ministering to those in need.

Reflect on the verses mentioned earlier this week.