In the context of the Bible, the concept of "relate" encompasses the various ways in which individuals connect with God, each other, and the world around them. This entry explores the biblical understanding of relationships, emphasizing the importance of love, communication, and community as foundational elements.

Relationship with God

The primary relationship emphasized in the Bible is between humanity and God. This relationship is characterized by love, obedience, and worship. In Deuteronomy 6:5, the command is given: "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This verse underscores the total devotion and love that should define one's relationship with God.

The New Testament further elaborates on this relationship through the person of Jesus Christ. In John 15:5, Jesus states, "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." This metaphor illustrates the intimate and dependent relationship believers are to have with Christ, highlighting the necessity of remaining connected to Him for spiritual vitality and growth.

Interpersonal Relationships

The Bible places significant emphasis on how individuals relate to one another. The Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20, provide foundational principles for ethical relationships, including honoring parents, refraining from murder, adultery, theft, and false testimony. These commandments establish a framework for just and loving interactions.

In the New Testament, Jesus summarizes the law with the command to love one's neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:39). This principle is echoed in the teachings of the Apostle Paul, who writes in Romans 13:10, "Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." Love is presented as the guiding principle for all relationships, promoting peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Community and the Church

The Bible also addresses the importance of community and the role of the church as a body of believers. In Acts 2:42-47, the early church is described as a community devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This passage highlights the communal aspect of the Christian faith, where believers support and encourage one another.

The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of the body to describe the church in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, emphasizing the interdependence of believers. Each member has a unique role and function, contributing to the health and growth of the whole. This imagery underscores the importance of unity and cooperation within the Christian community.

Communication and Understanding

Effective communication is vital for healthy relationships. The Bible provides guidance on how to communicate in a manner that builds up rather than tears down. Ephesians 4:29 advises, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." This instruction encourages believers to speak with kindness, truth, and love.

James 1:19 further instructs, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger." This verse highlights the importance of listening and understanding in fostering harmonious relationships. By prioritizing listening, individuals can better relate to others and address conflicts with wisdom and patience.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of "relate" encompasses a wide range of interactions, from one's relationship with God to interpersonal connections and community life. Through love, communication, and a commitment to unity, believers are called to reflect the character of Christ in all their relationships.1. (v. t.) To bring back; to restore.

2. (v. t.) To refer; to ascribe, as to a source.

3. (v. t.) To recount; to narrate; to tell over.

4. (v. t.) To ally by connection or kindred.

5. (v. i.) To stand in some relation; to have bearing or concern; to pertain; to refer; -- with to.

6. (v. i.) To make reference; to take account.

1334. diegeomai -- to relate fully
... to relate fully. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diegeomai Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-ayg-eh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I relate in full, describe Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1334.htm - 7k

394. anatithemi -- to set up, set forth
... Verb Transliteration: anatithemi Phonetic Spelling: (an-at-ith'-em-ahee) Short
Definition: I lay a case before, impart, communicate, relate Definition: I lay ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/394.htm - 6k

203. akrobustia -- the prepuce, foreskin, hence uncircumcision
... male foreskin removed by circumcision. The duty of physical circumcision
of course did relate to .]. Word Origin of uncertain origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/203.htm - 7k

2727. katecheo -- to teach by word of mouth
... 2278 , "to sound") -- properly, "sound down," ie learn exactly by (meaningful
repetition); to learn by ; to , teaching truths as they relate to progressing in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2727.htm - 8k

3888. paramutheomai -- to encourge, comfort
... comfort. From para and the middle voice of a derivative of muthos; to relate near,
ie (by implication) encourage, console -- comfort. see GREEK para. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3888.htm - 7k

1834. exegeomai -- to show the way
... 17.149; 1.649; 2.162).]. Word Origin from ek and hegeomai Definition to show the
way NASB Word Usage explained (2), relate (2), related (1), relating (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1834.htm - 7k

1299. diatasso -- to arrange thoroughly, ie to charge, appoint
... authoritative) nature. This root () implies orders which typically relate
to chain-of-command situations (see at Mt 11:1).]. Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1299.htm - 8k

3004. lego -- to say
... A primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, ie (figuratively) relate (in words (usually
of systematic or set discourse; whereas epo and phemi generally refer to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3004.htm - 11k

568. apecho -- to hold back, keep off, to be away, be distant
... Phm15). In each case, 568 ("relate from") retains its root-meaning, "to have
something, because far away from something else" (J. Thayer). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/568.htm - 8k

346. anakephalaioo -- to sum up, gather up
... comes to the same basic meaning. Note that (Eph 1:10) and (Ro 13:9) relate
to the and the (ie realities).]. Word Origin from ana and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/346.htm - 7k

5608. saphar -- to count, recount, relate
... 5607, 5608. saphar. 5609 . to count, recount, relate. Transliteration:
saphar Phonetic Spelling: (saw-far') Short Definition: tell. ...
/hebrew/5608.htm - 6k

These Relate to the Sixth Seal.
... These relate to the Sixth Seal. Chap. clxvii. From the Writings of the Indians,
Persians, and Egyptians. The sun relates, in interpretation ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/these relate to the sixth.htm

It is Almost Incredible to Relate How the Hebrews who had Come ...
... The Sacred History Of Sulpitius Severus. Book I. Chapter XIII. It is almost
incredible to relate how the Hebrews who had come down into Egypt? ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xiii it is almost.htm

What the Elders Relate to the Juniors in the Matter of Stripping ...
... Chapter XIII. What the elders relate to the juniors in the matter of stripping off
sins. But let not this seem superfluous or objectionable to any one. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xiii what the elders.htm

All These Relate to Enjoyment
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 18 All these relate to enjoyment. All these relate to enjoyment,
but those principles that relate to communication are more excellent. ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/18 all these relate to.htm

I Relate all those Things on the Authority of Well-Informed ...
... Chap. LII. I relate all those things on the authority of well-informed
persons? I relate all those things on the authority of ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap lii i relate all.htm

"I Will Relate Two Wonderful Examples of Almost Incredible ...
... Dialogues of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter XVIII. "I will relate two wonderful
examples of almost incredible obedience? "I will relate ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xviii i will relate.htm

"Moreover, it Will be Worth While to Relate Also Some of his ...
... Dialogues of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter X. "Moreover, it will be worth while
to relate also some of his familiar sayings? "Moreover ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter x moreover it will.htm

And not Only These, but Also those Ambiguities that do not Relate ...
... Book 3 Chapter 8. And not only these, but also those ambiguities that
do not relate either to? 8. And not only these, but also ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 8 and not only.htm

The Poets do not Invent all those Things which Relate to the Gods.
... The Epitome of the Divine Institutes. Addressed to His Brother Pentadius. Chap.
XII."The Poets Do Not Invent All Those Things Which Relate to the Gods. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xii the poets do not.htm

Any One, Indeed, who Chooses, May Relate How the Various Quarters ...
... Chapter XXVII. Any one, indeed, who chooses, may relate how the various
quarters of the earth? Any one, indeed, who chooses, may ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxvii any one indeed.htm

Relate (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Relate (11 Occurrences). ... (DBY NAS). Luke 8:39 Return to
thine house and relate how great things God has done for thee. ...
/r/relate.htm - 9k

Report (127 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To bring back, as an answer; to announce in return; to relate, as what has
been discovered by a person sent to examine, explore, or investigate; as, a ...
/r/report.htm - 38k

Rehearse (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To repeat, as what has been already said; to tell
over again; to recite. 2. (vt) To narrate; to relate; to tell. ...
/r/rehearse.htm - 9k

Sing (147 Occurrences)
... crevice. 4. (vi) To tell or relate something in numbers or verse; to celebrate
something in poetry. 5. (vi) Ti cry out; to complain. ...
/s/sing.htm - 36k

Related (45 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Relate. 2. (pp & a.) Allied
by kindred; connected by blood or alliance, particularly ...
/r/related.htm - 19k

Narrative (2 Occurrences)
... or transaction. 2. (a.) Apt or inclined to relate stories, or to tell
particulars of events; story-telling; garrulous. 3. (n.) That ...
/n/narrative.htm - 7k

Nathan (42 Occurrences)
... and David's Temple-Plans: The two parallel narratives, 2 Samuel 7:1-17 equals 1
Chronicles 17:1-15, of which the former is the original, relate how David ...
/n/nathan.htm - 29k

Nereus (1 Occurrence)
... the early church in Rome are the "Acts of Nereus and Achilleus" which call them
chamberlains of Domitilla, the niece of Vespasian, and relate their influence ...
/n/nereus.htm - 7k

Unquenchable (5 Occurrences)
... Even in the view of Edward White, the wicked survive the period of judgment to which
these terms relate. See PUNISHMENT, EVERLASTING. James Orr. ...
/u/unquenchable.htm - 10k

Unless (102 Occurrences)
... Mark 9:9 And as they descended from the mountain, he charged them that they should
relate to no one what they had seen, unless when the Son of man should be ...
/u/unless.htm - 36k

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