Coast House Churches

The one anothers

There are roughly 60 occurrences of “one another” statements in the New Testament. They paint a picture of what a mature Body of Christ looks like, relationally. This is what we aspire to grow into and express as a community.

These are not a description of atmosphere, and they are not aspirational poetry. They are the New Testament’s own account of what a healthy church is like, relationally, from the inside.

This map groups them into eight themes and gives you each theme at a glance. The full detail for each one is below.

Theme 1 of 8

Love one another

The command Jesus called new — and the one the New Testament repeats more than any other. Every other “one another” grows out of this root.

A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

John 13:34 NIV
  • Love one another Jn 13:34–35; 15:12, 17; 1 Th 4:9; 1 Jn 3:11, 23; 4:7, 11–12; 2 Jn 5
  • Owe no one anything except to love one another Rom 13:8
  • Be devoted to one another in brotherly love Rom 12:10
  • Love one another deeply, from the heart 1 Pt 1:22
  • Love covers over a multitude of sins 1 Pt 4:8
  • Greet one another warmly Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Pt 5:14
  • Have fellowship with one another 1 Jn 1:7
Theme 2 of 8

Unity and harmony

Paul’s most repeated concern for young churches: that they think, feel, and move as one body rather than as rival factions.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.

Romans 15:5 NIV
  • Live in harmony with one another Rom 12:16; 15:5
  • Accept one another, as Christ accepted you Rom 15:7
  • Be members of one another in one body Rom 12:5; Eph 4:25
  • Have equal concern for one another 1 Cor 12:25
  • Keep the unity of the Spirit in peace Eph 4:3; Mk 9:50
  • Agree with one another; be of one mind 1 Cor 1:10; 2 Cor 13:11
  • Wait for one another at the Lord’s table 1 Cor 11:33
Theme 3 of 8

Service and humility

The posture that makes every other command workable — status set aside, hands put to work, others ranked ahead of self.

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.

John 13:14 NIV
  • Serve one another humbly in love Gal 5:13
  • Wash one another’s feet Jn 13:14
  • Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ Eph 5:21
  • Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another 1 Pt 5:5
  • Carry each other’s burdens Gal 6:2
  • In humility value others above yourselves Phil 2:3
  • Honour one another above yourselves Rom 12:10
Theme 4 of 8

Patience and forgiveness

What community requires when people fail each other: offence absorbed, debt released, peace restored rather than scores kept.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:13 NIV
  • Bear with one another in love Eph 4:2; Col 3:13
  • Forgive one another as the Lord forgave you Eph 4:32; Col 3:13
  • Be kind and compassionate to one another Eph 4:32
  • Be patient, bearing with one another 1 Th 5:14
  • Do not repay evil; seek each other’s good 1 Th 5:15
  • Be at peace with one another Mk 9:50; 1 Th 5:13
  • Restore one another gently Gal 6:1
Theme 5 of 8

Encouragement

Words and presence deployed deliberately.

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:24 NIV
  • Encourage one another daily 1 Th 5:11; Heb 3:13
  • Do not give up meeting; encourage one another Heb 10:25
  • Build one another up Rom 14:19; 1 Th 5:11
  • Spur one another on toward love and good deeds Heb 10:24
  • Comfort one another 1 Th 4:18; 2 Cor 13:11
  • Bear with the failings of the weak Rom 15:1–2
  • Warn the idle, encourage the disheartened 1 Th 5:14
Theme 6 of 8

Teaching and prayer

Mutual instruction assumes ordinary believers can carry truth to each other — including the uncomfortable parts.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

James 5:16 NIV
  • Instruct one another Rom 15:14
  • Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom Col 3:16
  • Speak the truth to one another Eph 4:25
  • Speak the truth in love as you grow together Eph 4:15
  • Confess your sins to one another Jas 5:16
  • Pray for one another Jas 5:16
  • Speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and songs Eph 5:19
Theme 7 of 8

Hospitality and generosity

The commands with a household and a wallet attached: open doors, shared goods, and gifts spent on each other rather than on self.

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.

1 Peter 4:9–10 NIV
  • Offer hospitality without grumbling 1 Pt 4:9
  • Show hospitality to strangers Heb 13:2
  • Use your gift to serve one another 1 Pt 4:10
  • Share with one another as anyone has need Acts 2:44–45; 4:32
  • Do not forget to do good and to share Heb 13:16
  • Share with the Lord’s people who are in need Rom 12:13
  • Give preference to one another in honour Rom 12:10
Theme 8 of 8

What not to do

Roughly a quarter of the reciprocal commands are prohibitions — naming the habits that dismantle a healthy community quickly.

If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Galatians 5:15 NIV
  • Do not judge or condemn one another Rom 14:13; Jas 4:11–12
  • Do not slander one another Jas 4:11
  • Do not lie to one another Col 3:9
  • Do not grumble against one another Jas 5:9
  • Do not provoke or envy one another Gal 5:26
  • Do not bite and devour one another Gal 5:15
  • Do not take one another to court 1 Cor 6:1–7

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