Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Other-person" is not explicitly found in the Bible; however, the concept of considering and valuing others is deeply embedded in biblical teachings. The Bible emphasizes the importance of love, compassion, and selflessness towards others, which can be seen as the essence of the "Other-person" principle.
Biblical Foundation1.
Love for Others: The Bible commands believers to love others as themselves. In
Matthew 22:39 , Jesus states, "And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" This commandment underscores the importance of treating others with the same care and respect one would desire.
2.
The Golden Rule: In
Matthew 7:12 , Jesus teaches, "In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets." This principle encourages believers to consider the needs and feelings of others in their actions.
3.
Selflessness and Humility:
Philippians 2:3-4 instructs, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." This passage highlights the call to prioritize others' needs and to act with humility.
4.
Bearing One Another's Burdens:
Galatians 6:2 says, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This verse emphasizes the responsibility of believers to support and care for each other, reflecting the "Other-person" mindset.
5.
The Example of Christ: Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of living for others. In
Mark 10:45 , it is written, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Christ's life and sacrifice exemplify the highest form of selflessness and love for others.
Practical Application1.
Community and Fellowship: The early church demonstrated the "Other-person" principle through communal living and sharing.
Acts 2:44-45 describes, "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This model of community life reflects the biblical call to care for one another.
2.
Acts of Kindness and Service: Believers are encouraged to engage in acts of kindness and service.
Hebrews 13:16 advises, "And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Serving others is a tangible expression of love and obedience to God's commands.
3.
Forgiveness and Reconciliation: The Bible teaches the importance of forgiveness in relationships.
Ephesians 4:32 instructs, "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." Forgiveness is a crucial aspect of maintaining healthy and loving relationships with others.
4.
Encouragement and Edification: Believers are called to encourage and build up one another.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 states, "Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing." Encouragement strengthens the community and reflects the love of Christ.
Challenges and ConsiderationsWhile the "Other-person" principle is a central tenet of Christian living, it can be challenging to consistently prioritize others in a self-centered world. Believers are called to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance in living out these biblical principles. The tension between self-interest and selflessness requires ongoing spiritual growth and maturity.
Greek
2087. heteros -- other... another (31), another man (1), another one (2), any other (1), different (6), else
(2), neighbor (3), next (3), one (1), other (31),
other person (1), others
...1498. eien -- should be, was, were.
... Optative (ie English subjunctive) present of eimi (including theother person);
might (could, would, or should) be -- mean, + perish, should be, was, were....
Library
Now, as to the Expression which He Uses, "Some Persons Say," I...
... some persons say" or "Another says," and does not controvert the opinions which
are thus introduced, it is he himself who is this certain' orother'person....
Talkers and Talking
... The habitual long-story teller may easily become a bore. Avoid the habit of eagerly
matching theother person's story or experience with one of your own....
The Mote and the Beam
... of the well-known passage in Matthew 7:3-5 about the beam and the mote is not the
forbidding of our trying to remove the fault in theother person, but rather...
Proof against the Marcionites, that the Prophets Referred in all...
... a position to say that these things came to pass by a certain kind of chance, as
if they were spoken by the prophets in regard to someother person, while like...
You See How He Represents These Opinions as Things which are Held...
... If I say that an opinion is another man's, let it be another's; if you afterwards
find any opinion written down without anyother'person being thrown in, you...
That the Person who Comes for Catechetical Instruction is to be...
... But if there is noother person available from whom we may gather such information,
then, indeed, the man himself is to be interrogated, so that from what he...
Appendix
... 1. That the said William Carey, Joshua Marshman and John Clark Marshman, and such
other person or persons as shall successively be elected and appointed the...
We Often Need More Teaching as to what is Most Intimately Ours...
... For although we are said to think in our heart, and although we know what our thoughts
are, without the knowledge of anyother person, yet we know not in what...
The Rich Fool.
... Noother person was so well qualified to answer it,"noother person understood
the case, or possessed authority to determine it....
Whether the Son is Other than the Father?
... Objection 4: Further, the terms "other person" and "other thing" [alius
et aliud] have the same meaning, differing only in gender....
Thesaurus
Other-person (1 Occurrence)Other-
person. Other,
Other-
person. Others . Multi-Version
Concordance
Other-
person (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 3:18 And
...Bribe (27 Occurrences)
... price, reward, gift, or favor bestowed or promised with a view to prevent the judgment
or corrupt the conduct of a judge, witness, voter, orotherperson in a...
Nobody (21 Occurrences)
... 5:7 The ill man said in answer, Sir, I have nobody to put me into the bath when
the water is moving; and while I am on the way down someotherperson gets in...
Other (4924 Occurrences)
Others (1190 Occurrences)
Laodiceans (2 Occurrences)
... 3. An Epistle Addressed to the Laodiceans: A third possibility is a letter
written: (1) not by Paul, but by someotherperson. But...
Gets (122 Occurrences)
... 5:7 The ill man said in answer, Sir, I have nobody to put me into the bath when
the water is moving; and while I am on the way down someotherperson gets in...
Inheritance (263 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which is or may be inherited; that which is derived by an heir from
an ancestor orotherperson; a heritage; a possession which passes by descent....
Inherit (98 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To take by descent from an ancestor; to take by inheritance; to take as
heir on the death of an ancestor orotherperson to whose estate one succeeds...
Immediately (141 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) In an immediate manner; without intervention of anyotherperson or thing;
proximately; directly; -- opposed to mediately; as, immediately contiguous...
Resources
What is person-centered therapy, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.orgIs it possible to marry the wrong person? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about forgiveness? What does it mean to forgive? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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