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

 

Our Bible Text today is Romans 12:10. It is actually a double statement insofar as the “one another” mandates are concerned. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”

The noun “brotherly love” is, in Greek, “philadelphia!” It means “liking, being fond of,” one’s kinfolk. One’s comrade, here one’s very “brother in Christ.”

“Kindly affectioned” is a participle, blending the noun “philos” (friend) and the rare term “storge” (family love, a parent’s feeling for the children and vice versa). The word is used only here in all the Bible!

Thus the first line of our Text is similar in ways (yet still with a slightly different emphasis) to yesterday’s Lesson, “Love one another.”

Then Paul continues, under the Guidance of the Holy Spirit. Live … “in honour preferring one another.” The noun “honour” translates “time” in Greek, which indicates something “valuable, precious, held in high esteem.” And the verb “preferring” is “proegeomai.” It literally means “to go before.” To go before and show the way. To go before as a leader. Amazing! I think Paul is saying we should treat one another with such respect that … we want the “other person” to go first. To be the most prominent! To go first!

Here’s the essence of today’s Verse …

We Believers in Christ are to so live that we respond to each other as if we were literally “brothers and sisters” in Christ, with a “family” love, deep and loyal! And when it comes to decisions, we are to allow the “other” person to speak his or her mind “first.”

This eliminates partiality at Church! Everyone is an older (or younger) brother or sister, to be pampered. And this ends all “fighting” over preeminence. The “other” person is given (freely) the “right” to be recognized!

In a “lighter” (almost humorous) sense … we now could debate “Who goes first?” Not from the selfish viewpoint, “I WILL.” But from the Biblical, Jesus-illustrated viewpoint, “Your opinion counts. After you speak … I’ll follow.”

One very conservative Greek scholar expresses the vocabulary of our verse as follows: “Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor.”

Wow!

That kind of behavior, folks, would be dramatic!

How to treat “one another!”

And we have just begun the Series!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

While I realize that it might not be practical to write multiple lessons on the “one to another” Texts of the Bible … the “Love one another” command is repeated so many times in the New Testament that I can’t resist the urge!

Occurring over a dozen times, anyway!

Like First  Thessalonians 3:12 … “And the Lord make you TO INCREASE AND ABOUND IN LOVE ONE TOWARD ANOTHER, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.” Overflowing in love! In ever growing amounts!

Today however, Romans 13:8 is on my heart. It was yesterday, too! “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”

Am I obligated to love others? Indebted?

Paul says, “Yes!”

The verb “owe” means “do not let anything (like debt) ‘pile up’ in your life!” Do not borrow “tons” of money! Live a life that, instead of owing “favors” or “thousands of dollars” or “words of flattery” … you simply owe “love” to your fellow acquaintances!

The Greek verb for “love” used here is (of course) “agapao.” It means more than “being fond” of a person. It means caring for him or her to the point of sacrifice! Unselfish love! A giving love! Loving like God in Heaven, really! Remember, “God so loved that He GAVE …!”

The word (a pronoun) “another” is “allos” in Greek, another of “the same kind.” Other Christians, for sure. Other folks who live on your street, maybe. It carries the idea of “commonality.”

Maybe even, fellow citizens of a nation!

Then Paul adds a startling comment. “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for HE THAT LOVETH ANOTHER HATH FULFILLED THE LAW.”

About “fulfilling the law” when we love!

The Law?

Yes, the legislation Moses left Israel.

How would a man “not kill?” By loving those around him … to the extent he would never harm them.

And “not steal?” By loving the property rights of fellow individuals everywhere.

And “not bear false witness?” By loving the reputations of those around you. Also, by loving the truth!

And “not committing adultery?” By realizing that beautiful woman is the mate to her husband … and that bond of love must be maintained at all costs! Loving God’s plan of Marriage enough not to BREAK the covenant involved!

Yes, all the commandments can be obeyed through the spirit of love!

So today’s verse is, well, epochal! “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

The most predominant “one another” command in the Bible is … “Love one another!”

Here, in First John 4:7-10, is a little “sermon” on such love: “Beloved, let us LOVE ONE ANOTHER: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

The “beloved” are being addressed. That means brothers and sisters “in Christ.” Saved people. (We also are to love our enemies, according to Jesus. He certainly did! But that is NOT what our Passage here from First John is saying.) We are under a mandate, a command, to love each other, being members of Jesus’ Body, the New Testament Church.

Then we notice the “Source” of love. It is born of God, created of God, is on intimate terms with God! No God … no real love! In fact, we’ve just read it … “God is Love!”

Next is the greatest illustration ever of the Love of God. This Almighty Heavenly Father send His Son (Jesus) into the world, to die for sinners! (Yes! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16, you remember.) Calvary, the Cross … love in action.

In other words, God loved us FIRST! (First John 4:9 … “We love him, because he first loved us.” Amen!)

The noun “propitiation,” used of Jesus’ Mission to earth, is “hilasmos,” meaning “to appease” a Person. To “satisfy” Him. It can also mean the “price” paid to bring about such satisfaction!

In essence, JESUS DIED FOR US, ON OUR BEHALF, TO SATISFY THE JUSTICE OF GOD IN HEAVEN! Jesus took my sin and gave me in return His Righteousness! See Second Corinthians 5:21. “For he (God) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who (Jesus) knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (Jesus).” What a verse!

But I am supposed to be writing about us Christians loving one another!

I am … writing on that theme.

And we are … to so love each other.

But, today’s point, lesson … all our love is based on the Pattern, the Motivation of God’s amazing, eternal Love!

I think tomorrow I shall again share another “love one another” verse, this time from man’s point of view. More subjective.

But initially, primarily, essentially Christian love must be objective. Focused on God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit … the Godhead, the Matrix of genuine Love anyway!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell