I have noticed that several of our “one to another” commands are taught in “pairs,” as if they “belong” together. Verses with “double” loads of instruction on how we Christians are to minister to one another.

Let me give you an example. Today’s Verse, Hebrews 10:24, is perfect for that purpose. (In fact, we will focus on this short Sentence two days, both today and Friday, the Lord willing.)

Here’s the whole Verse: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” See them? Two clear admonitions!

Let me underline and capitalize the verbs involved. In English they are verbs, as translated in our King James Bible. “And let us CONSIDER one another to PROVOKE unto love and to good works.”

The first one is technically not an imperative verb, not an obvious command. “Consider” is the Greek word “katanoeo.” It is framed in the subjunctive mood here. Grammatically that means Paul is expressing a “longing” of his heart. A “craving, desire, yearning” he has for the Hebrew Believers he is writing. So … it was essentially a command, if one loved Paul enough and wanted to please that godly old (by now) Preacher. You know, that old “your wish is my command” kind of thing.

Now, what does “katanoeo” mean? “To fix one’s mind” upon something, or someone! “To watch, observe” him or her! Even “to keep an eye” on them, being sure they are progressing in the Faith. “To think” of them, the whole Church fellowship in this case. The pronoun “another” is plural.

“Katanoeo” is a blend, combining two Greek words. “Noeo” means “to ponder, to give heed, to think” about that fellow Believer. And the prefix “kata” (a preposition) intensifies the verbal thought. “Puts it in a higher gear!”

“Let us consider one another.”

And do note, this “considering” is used in a positive sense. Not grudgingly plotting against him, or feeling jealous of her. Thinking (evaluating) this person as a brother or sister in Christ.

Paul, who wrote this verse under the direction of the Holy Spirit (so I believe anyway), practiced what he preached. To his young protégée Timothy he wrote: “I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I HAVE REMEMBRANCE OF THEE ….” 2nd Timothy 1:3

A whole list of these example could be given.

Lesson over.

Practice ready to begin!

Think of someone today who is within your circle of Believers. As you “consider” him, pray for him (or her). If the Lord then leads you … do more than pray. Write them a card, give them a call, have them over for lunch Sunday (after Church). That’s “considering” him in the full Bible sense of the word.

This is the model of Christianity in which we truly do “serve one another,” nearly “pastor one another,” taking “oversight” one of another. (Not discounting the place and vital ministry of our Pastors, mind you.) But still, each member of the Body of Christ serving every other member of the Body of Christ!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Paul loved the Thessalonians!

They comprised one of his most gracious Churches, congregations of Believers.

He longed for their continued growth in the Lord.

And wonderfully, what a testimony they had!

Paul often remembered their … “work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.”

How their faith was … “sounded out by the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place … spread abroad.”

How they … “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus.”

Wow, all the above facts are gleaned from 1st Thessalonians chapter one.

And it’s to this beloved group of saints that Paul wrote today’s “one-to-another” Text. “Wherefore edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1st Thessalonians 5:11

Edify one another, just like you have already been doing!

Or literally … Continue to edify each other!

Paul is often absent from this “special” Church. Most of the time, traveling and preaching the Gospel “where Christ was not named!” See Romans 15:20 to get his exact terminology.

So the Apostle instructed (actually commanded, since “edify” is written in the imperative mood) the Christians there to “build up” one another!

That’s exactly what the Greek verb for “edify” means, “oikodomeo.”

To build up!

The word is a “blend” of the noun “oikos” (meaning “house) and “demo” (meaning “to build”). It’s a construction site term! From the world of the home building industry!

I’m now wondering if “tent-makers” often used it?

The verb pictorially looks at every Christian as a spiritual “house” under construction! One in which his or her fellow believers have the privilege of further “building up” … to the Glory of God.

There is a negative slant on the thought too. DO NOT “TEAR DOWN” A FELLOW BELIEVER! DO NOTHING IN THE LINE OF “DEMOLITION” IN THEIR LIVES!

Be a builder instead!

What wonderful advice.

Practicing this single line of Scripture would revolutionize our Churches, folks.

Edify, “even as also ye do!”

No wonder the Church in Thessalonica was doing so well!

Every member there caring for every other member there!

Mutual fortification!

No gossip, slander, bitterness, ill will, jealousy … only kind support and help and encouragement for other true believers! Praise the Lord!

How worthy they were of imitation!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Is there any difference between “loving one another” (1st John 4:7) and “preferring one another” (Romans 12:10) and “forbearing one another” (Ephesians 4:2) and today’s Lesson, “comforting one another?”

Yes, or the Holy Spirit would not have singly listed these duties, as He so clearly does!

Obligations we Christians owe “each other!”

Just slight shades of difference in some cases, maybe, but differences nonetheless.

So we notice 1st Thessalonians 4:18. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” The Apostle Paul wrote this sentence, using an imperative mood verb. It’s a command!

Oh, that we Christians better practiced this art!

The verb selected (for “comfort”) is “parakaleo,” used a hefty 109 times in the New Testament. (“Hefty” is an old English word meaning “hard to raise up.” I was personally curious and thought some of you might like that background. Thus in our context here it means “heavy, weighty, significant!”)

By grammatical definition “parakaleo” blends two Greek words, “para” (a preposition) and “kaleo” (a verb). They mean, when used jointly, “to be called to a person’s side” … in order to help that man or woman!

An encourager!

An exhorter!

A cheerleader of sorts!

An uplifter of spirits.

Wow!

In fact, “parakaleo” is akin to the New Testament noun “parakletos,” the very word Jesus loved to use for … the Holy Spirit, our COMFORTER!

So … I have warrant to say that we can (having the God given ability to do so) comfort one other (parakaleo) … because of our relationship to the Holy Ghost (parakletos), Who abides within us as Believers in Jesus.

This is exciting!

“Wherefore comfort one another … thank you, Paul.

But … how?

The rest of the short verse. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” By means of the powerful Word of God! By staying “in” (Greek “en” here being used for the preposition “with” in English) the “Word!” Live “in” God’s Word. Stay there!

Psalm 23 surely would comfort a grieving Brother or Sister, who had just lost a loved one.

And Revelation 21 would edify a saint who was about to die.

And Psalm 63 would help an individual who can’t sleep, but badly needs to do so. (Just worship God a while, though it be early in the morning, 2:00 AM say!)

Plus … hundreds of other Passages!

Romans 15:4 actually says that the Bible presents massive doses of “comfort” (paraklesis) for those of us who are saved. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime (the Old Testament) were written for our learning, that we through patience and COMFORT of the scriptures might have hope.”

Need I say any more?

By the way, I said “Old Testament” above for this reason. The New Testament (all 260 chapters) had not yet been written, not completely anyway.

Yes, the Old Testament is God’s Word too!

Lord willing, another verse tomorrow morning.

Until then, let’s diligently try to enact today’s verse in our lives. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Yes, we Christians are to “forgive” one another.

Once that was such a “given” that saying so was nearly unnecessary.

But no longer!

Churches are rifled with pockets of disharmony. Cells of bitterness. Schisms where one “side” (maybe the older members) is pitted against “another” (the newer folks and the Pastor). Just an example!

Therefore Paul charges us in Ephesians 3:32. Live day by day … “FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Thus says the Lord!

Elsewhere in the New Testament, Colossians 3:13, the command is repeated. “FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

In both cases I’ve cited, the verb “forgive” is identical.

Different than when God forgives us, too!

When God forgives us, “aphiemi” is utilized. it means “to send away!” Like God “collars” our sins … and banishes them to oblivion! Here’s the word: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just TO FORGIVE (aphiemi) us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1st John 1:9. thrilling, isn’t it? My sins expelled, banished, into the utmost depths of the sea, as far as the east is from the west!

But when we are (Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13 both) told to “forgive” one another, “charizomai” is the verb of choice. It means “to do something graceful, kind, merciful, pleasant, benevolent” to a person! (“Charis” is the Greek noun for “grace!”)

Do not resent.

Do not hold a grudge.

Do not “tell someone off.”

Do not be ugly, mean.

Be sweet.

Overlook the wrong done to you!

And as in Colossians 3:13, where “quarrel” has the idea of “blame, wrong, fault,” dismiss such failures, remembering how God has much more than dismissed ours!

Now that’s Christian living!

I once asked a Brother (in the Church I was pastoring at that time) to “forgive” me for an area where I had failed him. I’ll never forget what he said, how he responded. These words came from his mouth, “Preacher, you were forgiven before you asked!”

Wow!

That’s the spirit of today’s Text!

One more time … “FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Ephesians 4:2 uses the clause. We who are Christians should live “forbearing one another” in love. But what does that mean?

The older folks used that word more often than we do, “to forebear.” I looked at an 1828 dictionary, Noah Webster’s in fact. He defined “forbearance” as: “the exercise of patience; long suffering; indulgence towards those who injure us; being lenient; delay of resentment or punishment.”

Wow!

He furthermore lists: “command of one’s temper; restraint of his or her passions.”

This is interesting.

The Greek verb translated “forbearing” is “anecho.” It means “to hold” (echo) “up” (ana) under a set of rather difficult circumstances! Not to explode in temper! Not to “kick someone out” of you life, not quickly anyway.

The word is used 15 times in the New Testament, best I can locate.

The first 3 appearances of “anecho” occur in the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus being the Speaker. In fact, it’s the same event, just recorded 3 different times.

The lack of faith is everywhere evident as Jesus heals a Daddy’s little demon-possessed boy. And our Lord asks: “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and SUFFER you? Bring thy son hither.” I’m using Luke 9:41, but Matthew 17:17 and Mark 9:19 say virtually the same thing. Jesus continued to live in an unbelieving world … just to help folks like this man. Needy … but ignorant.

Then Paul, in 1st Corinthians 4:12 talks about “suffering” persecution, just meaning “putting up with it,” without grumbling! How could he have avoided it anyway? Short of denying the Gospel! “Making the best of a less-than-ideal situation!” That’s forbearance!

Colossians 3:3 uses “anecho” clearly, presenting us a good example of the verb in practice. “FORBEARING one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” It is here a synonym to “forgiving.” Arguing less! Not contentious! Now this helps a lot, very illuminating.

In 2nd Thessalonians 1:4 “anecho” is translated (KJV) “endure.” Paul encouraging the Believers in Thessalonica: “So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye ENDURE.” Wow, usually that Greek verb would have been related to the more common “hupomone” stem.

One more illustration from the New Testament. “For the time will come when they will not ENDURE (anecho) sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” 2nd Timothy 4:3

Well, “anecho” is furthermore used of our Heavenly Father Himself in Romans 3:25. There is mentioned word for word the “forbearance of God!”

We are to exhibit a trait He uses, the Almighty God of the universe.

Back to our Text, which I never shared in full: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, FORBEARING one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3, giving a fuller context.

We must not (as Christians) get exasperated with each other.

We must learn to better (in good spirit) “put up” with one another.

Tolerate one another.

Not get upset with each other, not so easily.

Amazing, this concept will preach!

Until Monday, my friends in Christ, when we will (the Lord willing) examine yet another “one another” verse from the New Testament.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell