In the New Testament, “One Another” commands are given for us as followers of Christ to adhere to. These commands appear 100 times across 47 verses, each providing instructions for Jesus’ followers. Paul, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, authored 60% of these “One Another” commands.
The “One Another’s” have to do with unity, love, humility, and other areas:
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 communion (1 Co 11:33)
- Don’t bite, devour, and consume one another— (Ga 5:15)
- 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)
A common feature of all 100 “One Another” commands is that more than one person is involved in every instance.
If you find yourself alone, attempting to fulfill these “One Another” commands by yourself, you will find it impossible and need to reconsider joining the church family God has called you to. These commands are designed for interaction with another person, not a solitary engagement. If you believe you are fulfilling them alone, it might be time to seek discipleship and/or deliverance as the “One Another’s” have to do with another person, not another spirit.
One clear message from these “God-breathed” “One Another” commands is that God expects and has called you to be in relationship with other believers, within a church family.