Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of mutuality in the Bible encompasses themes of reciprocity, shared responsibility, and communal support among believers. It is a principle that underscores the interconnectedness of individuals within the body of Christ, emphasizing the importance of love, service, and cooperation.
Mutual Love and SupportMutual love is a foundational aspect of Christian relationships. In
John 13:34-35 , Jesus commands His disciples, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." This love is not merely an emotion but an active commitment to the well-being of others, reflecting the love Christ has for His church.
The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in
Romans 12:10 , where he writes, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another." This verse highlights the importance of mutual respect and honor, encouraging believers to prioritize the needs and dignity of others above their own.
Mutual EdificationMutual edification is another key aspect of mutuality in the Christian community. In
1 Thessalonians 5:11 , Paul exhorts the church, "Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing." The mutual building up of one another in faith is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. This involves teaching, admonishing, and supporting each other in the truth of the Gospel.
Ephesians 4:15-16 also speaks to this, stating, "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, through the work of each individual part." Here, the imagery of the body of Christ illustrates how each member contributes to the health and growth of the whole through mutual support and cooperation.
Mutual AccountabilityMutual accountability is a vital component of Christian fellowship. Believers are called to hold one another accountable in their walk with Christ, fostering an environment of transparency and integrity.
James 5:16 instructs, "Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." This practice of confession and prayer is a means of mutual accountability, promoting spiritual healing and strength.
Galatians 6:1-2 further emphasizes this responsibility: "Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." The call to restore and bear one another's burdens reflects the mutual care and responsibility believers have for each other's spiritual welfare.
Mutual SubmissionMutual submission is a principle that governs relationships within the Christian community, promoting harmony and unity.
Ephesians 5:21 instructs believers to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This submission is not about hierarchy but about willingly placing oneself in service to others, reflecting Christ's humility and love.
In marriage, mutual submission is particularly emphasized.
Ephesians 5:22-25 outlines the roles of husbands and wives, with wives submitting to their husbands as to the Lord, and husbands loving their wives as Christ loved the church. This mutual submission and love create a partnership that mirrors the relationship between Christ and His church.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of mutuality is integral to the life of the church, fostering a community where love, support, accountability, and submission are practiced in accordance with the teachings of Scripture. Through mutual relationships, believers are equipped to grow in faith and reflect the character of Christ to the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Reciprocally acting or related; reciprocally receiving and giving; reciprocally given and received; reciprocal; interchanged; as, a mutual love, advantage, assistance, aversion, etc.
2. (a.) Possessed, experienced, or done by two or more persons or things at the same time; common; joint; as, mutual happiness; a mutual effort.
Greek
1275. diaparatribe --mutual irritation... 1274, 1275. diaparatribe. 1276 .
mutual irritation. Transliteration: diaparatribe
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ap-an-tos') Short Definition: friction.
...4803. suzetesis -- disputation
... disputation. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: suzetesis Phonetic
Spelling: (sood-zay'-tay-sis) Short Definition:mutual questioning, disputation...
240. allelon -- of one another
... together* (2), yourselves (1). each other,mutual, one another. Genitive
plural from allos reduplicated; one another -- each other...
437. anthomologeomai -- to acknowledge fully, confess
... anthomologeomai Phonetic Spelling: (anth-om-ol-og-eh'-om-ahee) Short Definition:
I confess, give thanks to Definition: I make amutual agreement; I confess...
4914. sunetheia -- habit, habitual use
... custom. From a compound of sun and ethos;mutual habituation, ie Usage -- custom.
see GREEK sun. see GREEK ethos. (sunetheia) -- 2 Occurrences....
1463. egkomboomai -- to put on oneself (as a garment)
... and komboo (to gird); to engirdle oneself (for labor), ie Figuratively (the apron
as being a badge of servitude) to wear (in token ofmutual deference) -- be...
Library
Of theMutual Contentment of the Divine Persons, and theMutual...
... THE BOOK OF SUPREME TRUTH CHAPTER X. OF THEMUTUAL CONTENTMENT OF THE DIVINE
PERSONS, AND THEMUTUAL CONTENTMENT BETWEEN GOD AND GOOD MEN....
Mutual Invitation.
... INTRODUCTION AND CLOSE OF WORSHIP. 52. "Mutual Invitation. 52. CM Montgomery.
Mutual Invitation. 1 Come, let us join our souls...
ForMutual Edification.
... 915. " ForMutual Edification. 915. CM Wesley's Coll. ForMutual Edification.
1 Help us to help each other, Lord, Each other's cross to bear!...
Mutual Help.
... SERMON LXIV.MUTUAL HELP. (Female Friendly Society.) S. Mark 3:35. "Whosoever shall
do the Will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and My mother."....
Of theMutual Consistency of the Accounts which are Given by...
... Chapter XLIII."Of theMutual Consistency of the Accounts Which are Given by Matthew,
Mark, and Luke of What Was Said by Herod on Hearing About the Wonderful...
WhetherMutual Indwelling is an Effect of Love?
... OF THE EFFECTS OF LOVE (SIX ARTICLES) Whethermutual indwelling is an effect
of love?... Thereforemutual indwelling is not an effect of love....
Concerning the Manner of theMutual Communication .
... Book III. Chapter IV."Concerning the manner of theMutual Communication .
Now we have often said already that essence is one thing...
OnMutual Subjection {1} --(First Printed in 1744)
... ONMUTUAL SUBJECTION {1}"(First Printed in 1744). "Yea, all of you be
subject one to another.""I Peter v.5 The Apostle having...
Contents: onMutual Subjection on Sleeping in Church on the Wisdom...
... Contents: OnMutual Subjection On Sleeping in Church On the Wisdom
of this World Prayers used by the Dean for Stella....
How Alexander, Upon the League ofMutual Defense which Cleopatra...
... How Alexander, upon the League ofMutual Defense Which Cleopatra Had Agreed with
Him, Made an Expedition Against Coelesyria, and Utterly Overthrew the City of...
Thesaurus
Mutual (7 Occurrences)... a.) Reciprocally acting or related; reciprocally receiving and giving; reciprocally
given and received; reciprocal; interchanged; as, a
mutual love, advantage
...Kindness (295 Occurrences)
... because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts, through the Holy Spirit
which was given unto us" (Romans 5:5). And thismutual love within the...
Brotherly (8 Occurrences)
... because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts, through the Holy Spirit
which was given unto us" (Romans 5:5). And thismutual love within the...
Love (703 Occurrences)
... because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts, through the Holy Spirit
which was given unto us" (Romans 5:5). And thismutual love within the...
League (20 Occurrences)
... of two or more nations, parties, or persons, for the accomplishment of a purpose
which requires a continued course of action, as formutual defense, or for...
Friendship (13 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The state of being friends; friendly relation, or attachment, to a person,
or between persons; affection arising frommutual esteem and good will...
Fellowship (114 Occurrences)
... (1.) With God, consisting in the knowledge of his will (Job 22:21; John 17:3);
agreement with his designs (Amos 3:2);mutual affection (Romans 8:38, 39...
Talk (164 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) The act of talking; especially, familiar converse;mutual discourse; that
which is uttered, especially in familiar conversation, or themutual converse...
Meet (281 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To come together bymutual approach; esp., to come in contact, or into
proximity, by approach from opposite directions; to join; to come face to face...
Mutually (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In amutual manner. Multi-Version Concordance
Mutually (1 Occurrence). Romans 1:12 in other words...
Resources
What is the meaning of mutual consent in 1 Corinthians 7:5? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is edification important in the life of a Christian? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about oral sex? | GotQuestions.orgMutual: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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