There are 56 One Anothers in the New Testament of the Bible. Each expresses a different aspect of Jesus’ command to “love one another.” They especially refer to how believers in the Body of Christ are to treat one another, but they also can be applied to other people under the second half of Jesus’ Greatest Commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31).
These 23 One Anothers from the New Testament represent the heart of the Bible. They show us what it means for people to be soul mates who are “deep-spirited friends” (Philippians 2:2b, MSG). These are the spiritual blessings of God’s love in Christ that we long for from “one another.” This “Christ in Community.”
The “One Anothers” are especially important in marriage. It’s the love of Christ that unite a husband and wife as one flesh and as soul mates. It’s the power of the Word of God that makes a community of any size become a “body of Christ.”
How to Use the One Anothers in the Bible
I’ve used the One Anothers of the New Testament on retreats or in small groups as a responsive reading to promote group bonding as a Christ-centered community.
If possible I like to have everyone in the group to get in a circle so everyone can see everyone else. Then group members take turns reading a a one another” verse out loud. And after each verse is read the whole group recites in unison the “one another” that defines them all: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God” (1 John 4:7, KJV).
The One Anothers in the Bible
Jesus said, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all [people] will know that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35).
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly [and sisterly] love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10).
“Live in harmony with one another” (Romans 12:16).
“Stop passing judgment on one another” (Romans 14:13).
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you” (Romans 15:7).
“Instruct one another” (Romans 15:14).
“Agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
“Serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13).
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).
“Be kind and compassionate to one another” (Ephesians 4:32).
“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19).
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21).
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13).
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16).
“Encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
“Spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25).
“Do not slander one another” (James 4:11).
“Love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22).
“Offer hospitality to one another” (1 Peter 4:9).
“Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (1 Peter 5:5).
“Greet one another” (1 Peter 5:14)
“If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another” (1 John 1:7).
(All Bible verses are from the NIV84.)
