One Anothering

Tim Chester gives a helpful summary of the "one another" passages of the New Testament as the apostolic writers describe life in community within the church.

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.