Posted by 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 4:2
• Ephesians 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.