“One another” passages abound in the New Testament.20 Paul complimented the Ephesians (1:15) and the Colossians (1:4) for their “love for all the saints.” 21 Thus when Ephesians teaches that Christ reconciles us in one body (Ephesians 2:16), that is more than a theory. We live the message of reconciliation, working it out daily in life’s details. To be “reconciled” means to be made friends again. So we become friendly people.22 We are God’s hands to welcome visitors so that they want to learn more about Him. We are God’s arms that make His family – including new members – feel at home. We don’t just teach about entering God’s family. We help new (and old) members to feel that they belong, that they are welcome.23 We grow “devoted to one another in brotherly love,” honoring others above ourselves (Romans 12:10). Even members that seem weaker, “we treat with special honor” (1 Corinthians 12:23). We are sympathetic with others’ feelings.24 We back up kind words by doing the practical things that meet each other’s needs.25
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10). M
Where fellow-members benefit, work all the harder because of love for Christ and His family.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23-24). M
Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved (1 Timothy 6:1-2).
Each good deed, each gift, each consideration that says to a brother or sister, “I love you,” is also a way of saying to the Father, “I love You!” No act of kindness is too small. Jesus values even a cup of water given for Him.26 He assures us that these loving actions reach Him personally. At the Judgment, Jesus will say to the saved,
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me’ (Matthew 25:40).27 M
CHRIST DWELLS IN YOU SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW – AND SHARE – HIS LOVE!
20. Research Subject – “One another” passages in the New Testament: Mark 9:50; John 5:44; 13:34-35; 15:12,17; Romans 1:24,27; 12:5,10,16; 13:8; 14:13,19; 15:5,7,14; 16:16; 1 Corinthians 4:6; 7:5; 11:33; 12:25; 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:2,25,32; 5:19,21; Colossians 3:9,13,16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9,18; 5:11,13,15; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25; James 4:11; 5:9,16; 1 Peter 1:22; 3:8; 4:8-9; 5:5,14; 1 John 1:7; 3:11,23; 4:7,11-12; 2 John 1:5 cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10; 12:26; Philippians 4:2; see opposite attitudes: Matthew 24:2,10; 25:32; John 5:44; Acts 7:26; Romans 1:27; 1 Corinthians 6:7; Galatians 5:15,26; Titus 3:3; Revelation 6:4
21. Care for or from “all the saints”: 2 Corinthians 1:1 13:13; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Peter 2:17; Philippians 4:21-22; Philemon 1:5,7; Galatians 6:10; Romans 16:15 cf. 2 Corinthians 11:28; Romans 16:4,16
22. Friendly greetings: Paul’s letters often end with lengthy greetings. Some readers avoid these parts as lacking value and having too many difficult names. Remember, however, that “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful” 2 Timothy 3:16. How are these greeting sections useful? They reveal the value of individuals. They show us how to Research Subject – honor and recognize members: Romans 12:10; 16:5; Colossians 1:7; 4:12; 1 Corinthians 16:15-18; Philippians 2:25-30; 4:18; 2 Timothy 1:16-18; 4:19. Priscilla and Aquila, for example, were publicly thanked for taking risks to serve God’s people, Romans 16:3-4 cf. Acts 18:2,26; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19. Onesiphorus, an Ephesian, was commended in 2 Timothy 1:16-18 cf. 4:19. Paul knew the value of compliments and of good examples. Concerning all hard-working leaders, Paul said, “Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work” 1 Thessalonians 5:12. Close relationships: Above all, these sections show that the Spirit’s instructions result in real relationships. Tychicus, who carried Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, was not just a messenger. He was “the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord” Ephesians 6:21. Luke was not just a doctor; he was “the beloved physician” Colossians 4:14. Timothy was not just Paul’s co-worker. He was “Timothy our brother” Colossians 1:1, “my true child in the faith” 1 Timothy 1:2 cf. 2 Timothy 1:2; Philippians 2:22. Research Subject – Such family feelings abound: Acts 20:19,31,37; Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 4:14-15; 2 Corinthians 4:5; 11:2; Ephesians 6:22; Philippians 3:18; 1 Timothy 5:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 2:7,11; 3:7-10; 2 Timothy 1:4; 4:9,21; Titus 1:4. Family ties within God’s family are stronger than those of our earthly families, Luke 14:26; Matthew 12:46-50; 10:34-39. Parental blood links the latter during an earthly life, but divine blood binds together the eternal family, Acts 20:28; 1 John 2:17; 5:11-13. Just as the new life is richer, so the relationships within that life are more meaningful. Sincere greetings and fond expressions in Paul’s letters help to open our hearts to these relationships. Open hearts: Opening up is not always easy, as the Corinthians discovered. “We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also” 2 Corinthians 6:11-13. That fatherly command now comes to us. We too should learn to “open wide” our hearts, accepting the risk and vulnerability of closeness with others. We too should develop the deep relationships that God wants for His children.
23. Ephesians’ first theme is the loving welcome of God for Gentiles, Ephesians 2:19; 3:6. Its second theme is unity, that is our loving welcome for each other in one body, Ephesians 4:1-4,15-16,32. Research Subject – Welcome: Mark 9:37; Luke 9:48; Acts 15:4; 18:27; Romans 15:7; 14:1,3; 1 Corinthians 16:10-11; Philippians 2:9; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:17; 2 Corinthians 5:16 with Colossians 3:11 cf. Luke 15:2; Acts 9:26-28; 28:2; James 2:1-4; 2 John 1:10-11; 3 John 1:10
24. Research Subject – Sympathy: 1 Corinthians 12:26; Romans 12:15; Philippians 2:1-4; Colossians 3:12; Hebrews 4:15; 10:34; 13:1-3; 1 Peter 3:8 cf. Mark 1:4; 6:34; 8:2; Luke 15:20-32
25. Practical: Acts 4:34-35; Ephesians 4:28; James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17
26. Matthew 10:42 cf. Mark 9:41
27. Done for Christ: Matthew 10:42; 18:5; 25:40-45; Mark 9:37; Colossians 3:23-24; Hebrews 6:10; Proverbs 19:17 cf. Acts 9:4
Research Subjects
- God’s faithfulness shown through Christ
- Love and mercy in the Old Testament
- Respect for God’s children
- “One Another” passages
- Honor and recognize members
- Family feelings
- Welcome
- Sympathy
God is love! His love for us is like an ocean. No matter how much we enjoy God’s love, there is more to explore. God proved the extent of His love by giving His Son. His death conquered sin and death for us. Now He calls us to love “just as Christ loves us.” We should be willing to give up our lives for each other. Brothers and sisters in Christ become our family, and we should welcome all with loving care and kindness. Yes, we show our love for God in heaven by loving His children here on earth.
Memory Verses
- Ephesians 3:16-19 – …that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
- 1 John 3:16 – By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
- Ephesians 5:1-2 – Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
- 1 John 4:7 – Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
- 1 John 4:12 – No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
- Galatians 6:10 – So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
- Colossians 3:23-24 – Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
- Matthew 25:40 – And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Loving Father, I thank You for Your great heart of love, and especially for the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Borrowing the prayer of Ephesians 3, please root and established me in love. May I have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Help me to know this love that surpasses knowledge. Remind me each day to share this love with Your spiritual family, giving myself as Jesus did…