This one goes contrary to today’s contemporary mindset.

Where most folks look out for “number one,” themselves!

Galatians 5:13, in part, commands us Christians to: “By love serve one another.”

Five short words in English.

Uncharacteristically, six words in Greek!

Everything (nearly) hinges on the verb “to serve.”

Since we already know the “one another” phrase means “fellow Believers in Jesus.” It’s “allos,” meaning “others of like kind.” Those with whom we have so much in common, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And since we too know that “love” here is “agape.” An unselfish, giving attitude that always considers the welfare of the recipient above that of the donor! Unselfish love! Even sacrificial love! The kind of love the New Testament most often uses of God, when the Lord Himself “loves.”

“By love serve one another.”

Then we must define “to serve.”

We are “servants” one to another, by divine command!

Because here “douleuo” is an imperative!

We MUST serve one another, if Christianity is going “to work” anyway.

Here’s “douleuo” defined: “to be a slave!”

Or, “to be in bondage!”

Here it is willing bondage, of course. A debt I owe to my fellow Christians!

A voluntary (based on the giver’s heart’s desire) meeting of the other person’s needs!

In Greek, “doulos” (the noun form of our word) means “slave.”

Paul has used here (under the Holy Spirit’s Guidance) a very strong verb!

It’s only found 25 times in the whole New Testament!

The first occurrence, is back when Jesus said: “Ye cannot serve (“douleuo”) God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24

Its last occurrence, Titus 3:3, where our old lives apart from Christ were characterized: “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving (“douleuo”) divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.”

Wow!

What a far cry from today’s simple verse: “By love serve one another.”

Serving others in God’s “family,” because we love Jesus so much!

And consequently, we love them, all the “one another” folks at Church!

And love, “agape” love … ALWAYS “serves” those it adores!

Think of a (needy, in some way) Brother or Sister in Christ today … and DO something for him or her. In the spirit of Christian service!

“And so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

— Dr. Mike Bagwell