There is another 'gender' which seems to have gotten lost in the debate about roles in the church. I refer to the oft quoted (by Paul and other NT writers) of the: 'one another' gender. Who are these if not inclusive of gender?
- John admonishes believers to love one another ( 13:34);
- Peter encourages us to be hospitable to one another (1 Peter 4:9)
- Paul, and the writer to the Hebrews, teach us to:
- forgive one another (Eph. 4:32)
- accept one another (Romans 15:7)
- bear with one another ( Eph. 4:2)
- be devoted to one another (Rom 12:10)
- honour one another above ourselves ( Rom. 12:10)
- be kind and compassionate to one another ( Eph. 4:32)
- share with one another ( Hebrews 13;16)
- serve one another (Gal. 5:13)
- carry one another's burdens ( Gal. 6:2)
- build one another up (1 Thess. 5:11)
- encourage one another daily (Heb. 3:13)
- comfort one another ( 1 Thess. 4:18)
- stimulate one another (Hebrews 10:24)
- instruct one another ( Romans 15:14)
- admonish one another (Col. 3:16)
- pray for one another ( James 5:16)
- confess to one another ( James 5:16)
- be of same mind as one another ( Rom. 12;16)
- submit to one another ( Eph. 5:21)
It really all boils down to loving one another as God has loved us. Male and female believers who are 'all one in Christ Jesus' - we are the 'one anothers'. I guess if we all were able to follow these precepts there would be both acceptance and recognition of one another's gifts.
