One Another in Ephesians

"One another" is a very powerful term in the bible. Especially in the New Testament, "one another" is frequently used to describe the reciprocal, mutual nature of church life as God intended it. On numerous occasions, we are instructed to treat one another in certain ways in order to honor God and edify our Christian brothers and sisters.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all tried a little harder (through the grace God supplies) to live out the one anothers of scripture?

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul uses the term one another in five verses:

Ephesians 4:2, "...with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love..."

Ephesians 4:25, "Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another."

Ephesians 4:32, "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you."

Ephesians 5:19, "...speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord..."

Ephesians 5:21, "...submitting to one another in the fear of God."

In these verses we see exhortations to humility, patience, unity, kindness, forgiveness, charity, submission, etc. These are appropriate descriptions of the Christian life as Christ would have us live it.

I encourage you to search through the one anothers of the bible. We learn a great deal about what the church should look like and how it should function. John makes it simple for us in I John by repeatedly telling us to love one another (3:11, 3:23, 4:7, 4:11, 4:12).

Let us not get caught up in the busyness of church life and/or secular life. Instead, may we strive to honor Christ by focusing on the one anothers of lives given over completely to Him and His kingdom.