Experience the Power of Love: Uncovering the “One Another’s” of the New Testament
Welcome to the power of love! This article will uncover the many ways we can experience the power of love by looking at the “One Another’s” of the New Testament.
“One Another” comes from the Greek word λλήλους (allelon), which means one another or each other, and it is a mutual or reciprocal pronoun. It occurs over 100 times in the New Testament. Approximately 59 of those occurrences are specific commands telling us how (and how not) Christians need to relate to one another. These are imperative commands. These commands form the basis for how we live with each other as Christians and will directly impact our witness as we show the world that we are Christ’s disciples (John 13:35).
Introduction to the Power of Love
Love is a powerful emotion that can bring us joy, happiness, and peace. It can help us to forgive, to be patient, and to be kind to one another. It can bring us closer to God and bring us closer to each other. It is a powerful tool that we can use to make the world a better place.
The Bible is full of examples of how to love one another. One of the most powerful examples is found in the New Testament. In the New Testament, we find a series of commands known as the “One Another’s.” These commands are specific instructions on how to love one another.
The Lord told us to love one another, and the writers of the New Testament told us how to love each other. This article will explore the many ways we can experience the power of love by uncovering the “One Another’s” of the New Testament.
Uncovering the “One Another’s” of the New Testament
The “One Another’s” of the New Testament are a series of commands that tell us how to show love to one another. These commands are found throughout the New Testament, from Romans to Philippians to Colossians to Hebrews, and the letters written by James, Peter, and John. Each command is an instruction on how to love one another.
The “One Another’s” of the New Testament are divided into two categories: active and passive. The active commands tell us what to do, such as “love one another” or “greet one another.” The passive commands tell us what not to do, such as “not pass judgment on one another” or “not speak evil of one another.”
The “One Another’s” of the New Testament are a powerful tool that can help us to experience the power of love. Let’s explore each of the commands and how we can apply them to our lives.
Love: Honor, Harmony, and Building Up
The first command is to “love one another” (John 13:34). This command is the foundation for all of the other “One Another’s” of the New Testament. Love is an action verb, not just an emotion. To love one another is to honor one another, to seek harmony, and to build each other up.
Honoring one another means respecting each other’s opinions and advocating for each other. We can honor one another by listening to each other, valuing each other’s ideas, and standing up for each other.
Seeking harmony means finding common ground and understanding each other. We can seek harmony by engaging in meaningful dialogue, practicing empathy, and working together.
And building each other up means encouraging and supporting each other. We can build each other up by speaking positively, acting kindly, and celebrating each other’s successes.
Welcome, Instruct, and Greet
The next command is to “welcome one another” (Romans 15:7). To welcome one another is to make others feel comfortable, accepted, and included. We can welcome one another by opening our hearts and minds, listening to each other’s stories, and smiling at each other.
We are also instructed to “instruct one another” (Romans 15:14). To instruct one another is to teach each other and to share knowledge. We can instruct one another by offering guidance, providing feedback, and offering advice.
And finally, we are told to “greet one another” (Romans 16:16). To greet one another is to show kindness and affection. We can greet one another with a smile, a hug, or a gesture of kindness.
Care, Serve, and Bear Burdens
The next command is to “care for one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). To care for one another is to show compassion and to be there for each other in times of need. We can care for one another by offering help, lending an ear, and providing support.
We are also instructed to “serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). To serve one another is to put others’ needs before our own. We can serve one another by helping with tasks, giving a listening ear, and offering a helping hand.
And finally, we are told to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). To bear one another’s burdens is to support each other and to help each other in times of difficulty. We can bear one another’s burdens by offering a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, and a helping hand.
Speak in Truth, Be Kind, and Submit
The next command is to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). To speak the truth in love is to be honest, and respectful. We can speak the truth in love by speaking calmly, listening to each other, and being considerate.
We are also instructed to “be kind and tenderhearted to one another” (Ephesians 4:32). To be kind and tenderhearted is to be gentle and compassionate. We can be kind and tenderhearted to one another by being understanding, forgiving, and patient.
And finally, we are told to “submit to one another” (Ephesians 5:21). To submit to one another is to respect each other’s opinions and to be willing to compromise. We can submit to one another by being open to new ideas, listening to each other’s perspectives, and compromising when necessary.
Count Others More Important and Look Out for Others’ Interests
The next command is to “count others more important than ourselves” (Philippians 2:3). To count others more important than ourselves is to put the needs of others before our own. We can count others more important than ourselves by being generous, selfless, and understanding.
We are also instructed to “look out for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). To look out for the interests of others is to be mindful of their needs and to advocate for them. We can look out for the interests of others by being supportive, encouraging, and understanding.
Be Patient and Teach
The next command is to “be patient with one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). To be patient with one another is to be understanding and forgiving. We can be patient with one another by being willing to listen, compromise, and forgive.
We are also instructed to “teach one another” (Colossians 3:16). To teach one another is to share knowledge and to give advice. We can teach one another by providing guidance, offering feedback, and providing support.
Encourage and Exhort
The next command is to “encourage one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). To encourage one another is to provide support and to lift each other up. We can encourage one another by speaking positively, providing a listening ear, and celebrating each other’s successes.
We are also instructed to “exhort one another” (Hebrews 3:13). To exhort one another is to motivate and inspire each other. We can exhort one another by listening to each other, offering advice, and providing encouragement.
Stir-Up, Confess, and Pray
The next command is to “stir-up one another’s love” (Hebrews 10:24). To stir up one another’s love is to remind each other of our love for one another and to deepen our connection. We can stir-up one another’s love by being supportive, engaging in meaningful dialogue, and celebrating each other’s successes.
We are also instructed to “confess our sins to one another” (James 5:16). To confess our sins to one another is to be honest, and open about our struggles. We can confess our sins to one another by being vulnerable, transparent, and honest.
And finally, we are told to “pray for one another” (James 5:16). To pray for one another is to lift each other up in prayer and to ask for God’s help. We can pray for one another by being supportive, offering encouragement, and being compassionate.
Show Hospitality and Humility
The next command is to “show hospitality to one another” (1 Peter 4:9). To show hospitality is to be generous and to provide for each other. We can show hospitality by offering a helping hand, lending an ear, and providing support.
We are also instructed to “clothe yourself with humility” (1 Peter 5:5). To clothe ourselves with humility is to be humble and to put others before ourselves. We can clothe ourselves with humility by being generous, selfless, and understanding.
Do Not Pass Judgement, Fight, Be Conceited, Lie, Speak Evil, Grumble, or Condemn
The next command is to “not pass judgment on one another” (Romans 14:13). To not pass judgment is to be open-minded and to accept one another. We can not pass judgment by understanding, listening to each other, and accepting our differences.
We are also instructed to “not fight against one another” (James 4:11). To not fight against one another is to be peaceful and to seek harmony. We can not fight against one another by engaging in meaningful dialogue, being understanding, and seeking common ground.
We are also told to “not be conceited” (Romans 12:16). To not be conceited is not to be prideful or arrogant. We can not be conceited by being humble, open-minded, and understanding.
We are also told to “not lie to one another” (Colossians 3:9). To not lie is to be honest, and truthful. We can not lie to one another by being open and transparent, speaking the truth, and being considerate.
We are also told to “not speak evil of one another” (James 4:11). To not speak evil is to be kind and to be respectful. We can not speak evil of one another by speaking positively, listening to each other, and valuing each other’s opinions.
We are also told to “not grumble against one another” (James 5:9). To not grumble is to be positive and encouraging. We can not grumble against one another by speaking kindly, being supportive, and celebrating each other’s successes.
And finally, we are told to “not condemn one another” (Romans 14:13). To not condemn is to be open and accepting. We can not condemn one another by listening to each other, being understanding, and accepting each other’s differences.
Address Members with Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
The last command is to “address one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19). To address one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs is to use music to express our love for one another. We can address one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs by singing, playing instruments, and expressing our love.
Conclusion – Experience the Power of Love
Our Lord told us to love one another, and the writers of the New Testament told us how to love each other. In this article, we have explored the many ways we can experience the power of love by uncovering the “One Another’s” of the New Testament.
We can honor one another, seek harmony, and build each other up. We can welcome, instruct, and greet each other. We can care, serve, and bear each other’s burdens. We can speak in truth, be kind, and submit to one another. We can count on others, more important, look out for each other’s interests, be patient, and teach. We can encourage, exhort, stir up, confess, and pray for one another. We can show hospitality and humility. We can not pass judgment, fight, be conceited, lie, speak evil, grumble, or condemn. And we can address one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
Love is powerful and can bring us joy, happiness, and peace. It is a powerful tool that we can use to make the world a better place. Experience the power of love today by uncovering the “One Another’s” of the New Testament and applying them to your life.
These are the actions we are supposed to do:
Love one another (John 13:34-35)
(Also John 15:12, 17, Romans 13:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 1 Peter 3:8, 1 Peter 4:8, 1 John 3:11,23, 1 John 4:7,11,12, 2 John 5)
Show Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10)
Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16; Romans 15:5)
Build up one another (Romans 14:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Welcome one another (Romans 15:7)
Instruct one another (Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16)
Greet one another (Romans 16:16)
Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25)
Serve one another (Galatians 5:13, 1 Peter 4:10)
Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)
Bearing with one another (Ephesians 4:2, 32; Colossians 3:13)
Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15, 25)
Be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32)
Addressing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19)
Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21, 1 Peter 5:5)
Count others more important than yourselves (Philippians 2:3)
Look to the interests of one another (Philippians 2:4)
Be patient with one another (Colossians 3:13)
Teach one another (Colossians 3:16)
Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13)
Stir up [provoke, stimulate] one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24)
Confess your faults to one another (James 5:16)
Pray for one another (James 5:16)
Show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)
Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another (1 Peter 5:5)
These are the actions we are to avoid.
Let us not pass judgment on one another (Romans 14:13)
If you bite and devour each other… you’ll be consumed by each other (Galatians 5:15)
Let us not become conceited, provoking one other (Galatians 5:26)
Do not lie to one another (Colossians 3:9)
Do not speak evil against one another (James 4:11)
Do not grumble against each other (James 5:9)
We need to do all these because, in a real sense, we are “members of one another” (Romans 12:5; Ephesians 4:25).