Mutual
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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 Support

Mutual 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 Edification

Mutual 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 Accountability

Mutual 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 Submission

Mutual 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.

Conclusion

The 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. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1275.htm - 7k

4803. suzetesis -- disputation
... disputation. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: suzetesis Phonetic
Spelling: (sood-zay'-tay-sis) Short Definition: mutual questioning, disputation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4803.htm - 6k

240. allelon -- of one another
... together* (2), yourselves (1). each other, mutual, one another. Genitive
plural from allos reduplicated; one another -- each other ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/240.htm - 6k

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 a mutual agreement; I confess ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/437.htm - 6k

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. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4914.htm - 6k

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 of mutual deference) -- be ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1463.htm - 7k

Library

Of the Mutual Contentment of the Divine Persons, and the Mutual ...
... THE BOOK OF SUPREME TRUTH CHAPTER X. OF THE MUTUAL CONTENTMENT OF THE DIVINE
PERSONS, AND THE MUTUAL CONTENTMENT BETWEEN GOD AND GOOD MEN. ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter x of the mutual.htm

Mutual Invitation.
... INTRODUCTION AND CLOSE OF WORSHIP. 52. " Mutual Invitation. 52. CM Montgomery.
Mutual Invitation. 1 Come, let us join our souls ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/52 mutual invitation.htm

For Mutual Edification.
... 915. " For Mutual Edification. 915. CM Wesley's Coll. For Mutual Edification.
1 Help us to help each other, Lord, Each other's cross to bear! ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/915 for mutual edification.htm

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.". ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lxiv mutual help.htm

Of the Mutual Consistency of the Accounts which are Given by ...
... Chapter XLIII."Of the Mutual Consistency of the Accounts Which are Given by Matthew,
Mark, and Luke of What Was Said by Herod on Hearing About the Wonderful ...
/.../the harmony of the gospels/chapter xliii of the mutual consistency.htm

Whether Mutual Indwelling is an Effect of Love?
... OF THE EFFECTS OF LOVE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether mutual indwelling is an effect
of love? ... Therefore mutual indwelling is not an effect of love. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether mutual indwelling is an.htm

Concerning the Manner of the Mutual Communication .
... Book III. Chapter IV."Concerning the manner of the Mutual Communication .
Now we have often said already that essence is one thing ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter iv concerning the manner of.htm

On Mutual Subjection {1} --(First Printed in 1744)
... ON MUTUAL SUBJECTION {1}"(First Printed in 1744). "Yea, all of you be
subject one to another.""I Peter v.5 The Apostle having ...
/.../swift/three sermons three prayers/on mutual subjection 1first printed.htm

Contents: on Mutual Subjection on Sleeping in Church on the Wisdom ...
... Contents: On Mutual Subjection On Sleeping in Church On the Wisdom
of this World Prayers used by the Dean for Stella. ...
/.../swift/three sermons three prayers/contents on mutual subjection on.htm

How Alexander, Upon the League of Mutual Defense which Cleopatra ...
... How Alexander, upon the League of Mutual Defense Which Cleopatra Had Agreed with
Him, Made an Expedition Against Coelesyria, and Utterly Overthrew the City of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how alexander upon.htm

Thesaurus
Mutual (7 Occurrences)
... a.) Reciprocally acting or related; reciprocally receiving and giving; reciprocally
given and received; reciprocal; interchanged; as, a mutual love, advantage ...
/m/mutual.htm - 8k

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 this mutual love within the ...
/k/kindness.htm - 45k

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 this mutual love within the ...
/b/brotherly.htm - 15k

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 this mutual love within the ...
/l/love.htm - 65k

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 for mutual defense, or for ...
/l/league.htm - 14k

Friendship (13 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The state of being friends; friendly relation, or attachment, to a person,
or between persons; affection arising from mutual esteem and good will ...
/f/friendship.htm - 13k

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 ...
/f/fellowship.htm - 47k

Talk (164 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) The act of talking; especially, familiar converse; mutual discourse; that
which is uttered, especially in familiar conversation, or the mutual converse ...
/t/talk.htm - 36k

Meet (281 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To come together by mutual approach; esp., to come in contact, or into
proximity, by approach from opposite directions; to join; to come face to face ...
/m/meet.htm - 41k

Mutually (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a mutual manner. Multi-Version Concordance
Mutually (1 Occurrence). Romans 1:12 in other words ...
/m/mutually.htm - 6k

Resources
What is the meaning of mutual consent in 1 Corinthians 7:5? | GotQuestions.org

Why is edification important in the life of a Christian? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about oral sex? | GotQuestions.org

Mutual: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Mutual (7 Occurrences)

Romans 1:12
That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
(KJV WEY DBY WBS RSV NIV)

Romans 2:15
since they exhibit proof that a knowledge of the conduct which the Law requires is engraven on their hearts, while their consciences also bear witness to the Law, and their thoughts, as if in mutual discussion, accuse them or perhaps maintain their innocence--
(WEY)

Romans 13:8
Owe nothing to any one except mutual love; for he who loves his fellow man has satisfied the demands of Law.
(WEY)

Romans 14:19
Therefore let us aim at whatever makes for peace and mutual upbuilding of character.
(WEY RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 7:5
Do not refuse one another, unless perhaps it is just for a time and by mutual consent, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer and may then associate again; lest the Adversary begin to tempt you because of your deficiency in self-control.
(WEY NIV)

Ephesians 2:16
thus effecting peace, and to reconcile Jews and Gentiles in one body to God, by means of His cross--slaying by it their mutual enmity.
(WEY)

Philippians 2:2
united by mutual love, with harmony of feeling giving your minds to one and the same object.
(WEY)

Subtopics

Mutual

Related Terms

Twine (1 Occurrence)

Pair (18 Occurrences)

Mutual (7 Occurrences)

Muzzle (4 Occurrences)

Understanding (248 Occurrences)

Weeks (17 Occurrences)

Wind (180 Occurrences)

Intermarry (5 Occurrences)

Far (2526 Occurrences)

Drink (414 Occurrences)

Philemon (2 Occurrences)

Betwixt (16 Occurrences)

Cross (157 Occurrences)

Attraction (3 Occurrences)

Another's (28 Occurrences)

Society (4 Occurrences)

Strong (736 Occurrences)

Hiram (21 Occurrences)

Saul (371 Occurrences)

Discrepancies

Seventy (97 Occurrences)

Woman (4043 Occurrences)

Timothy (28 Occurrences)

Scribes (85 Occurrences)

Omnipotence (2 Occurrences)

Subapostolic

Sub-apostolic

Trinity

Phoenicians

Phoenicia (6 Occurrences)

Manasseh (140 Occurrences)

Backslide

Judges (117 Occurrences)

Ethics

Leviticus (1 Occurrence)

Exploration

Biblical

Atonement (112 Occurrences)

Covenant (309 Occurrences)

Literature (2 Occurrences)

Anem (1 Occurrence)

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)

Exodus (2 Occurrences)

Criticism (1 Occurrence)

Book (211 Occurrences)

Palestine (1 Occurrence)

Mutters
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