Supporting One Another in Pursuit of Glorifying God
Believers are called to support one another in their shared pursuit of glorifying God, a concept rooted in various biblical texts and theological traditions. This mutual encouragement and assistance are seen as essential for the Christian walk and for the collective worship of God [9, 10].
The New Testament emphasizes the importance of fellowship and mutual edification. Paul, for instance, expresses his desire that believers might be "mutually encouraged by each other’s faith" (Romans 1:12) [3]. He also prays that the "fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ" (Philemon 1:6) [2]. This suggests that shared faith should lead to active participation in good works and a deeper understanding of Christ. The apostle further instructs believers to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21) [5], highlighting a reciprocal respect and service within the community.
Supporting one another also involves collective worship and prayer. Ephesians 5:19 encourages believers to join "with one another in holy songs of praise and of the Spirit, using your voice in songs and making melody in your heart to the Lord" [1]. This communal expression of praise is a way to glorify God together. Similarly, Paul acknowledges the prayers of others as a form of support, stating that "You at the same time helping together by your prayer for us; so that for what has been given to us through a number of persons, praise may go up to God for us from all of them" (2 Corinthians 1:11) [4]. John Gill notes that a "cordial and sincere affection for one another is necessary to the worshipping of God with one consent" and to "joining together in acts of religious service, both in praying to God, and in praising of him" [9]. Rashi, commenting on Psalms 47:2, similarly interprets "clap hands" as an invitation to "Join together with one another to shout to God with a voice of praise" [8].
Glorifying God is a central command for believers (1 Chronicles 16:28; Psalm 22:23; Isaiah 42:12) [7]. This is accomplished through various means, including praising Him (Psalm 50:23) and relying on His promises (Romans 4:20) [7]. Even in times of affliction, believers can glorify God by exhibiting His power and faithfulness (Psalm 34:19-20; 2 Corinthians 4:8-11) [6]. Matthew Henry suggests that in religious assemblies, worshippers are "excited to their work" of giving "unto God the glory due unto his name" [10]. He also notes that giving thanks and calling upon God's name are duties that "tendency of them all is to give unto God the glory due unto his name" [11]. The collective effort in enduring hardships and suffering reproach also contributes to glorifying God [12, 13].
Sources
- Ephesians “Ephesians 5:19 (BBE) — Joining with one another in holy songs of praise and of the Spirit, using your voice in songs and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”
- Philemon “Philemon 1:6 (LEB) — I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ.”
- Romans “Romans 1:12 (BSB) — that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 1:11 (BBE) — You at the same time helping together by your prayer for us; so that for what has been given to us through a number of persons, praise may go up to God for us from all of them.”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 5:21 (BSB) — Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glorifying God — Commanded -- 1Ch 16:28; Ps 22:23; Isa 42:12. Due to him -- 1Ch 16:29. For his Holiness. -- Ps 99:9; Re 15:4. Mercy and truth. -- Ps 115:1; Ro 15:9. Faithfulness and truth. -- Isa 25:1. Wondrous works. -- Mt 15:31; Ac 4:21. Judgments. -- Isa 25:3; Eze 28:22; Re 14:7. Deliverance. -- Ps 50:15. Grace to others. -- Ac 11:18; 2Co 9:13; Ga 1:24. Obligation of saints to -- 1Co 6:20. Is acceptable through Christ -- Php 1:11; 1Pe 4:11. Christ, an example of -- Joh 17:4. Accomplished by Relying on his promises. -- Ro 4:20. Praising him. -- Ps 50:23. Doing all ”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Psalms 47:2: clap hands Join together with one another to shout to God with a voice of praise.”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 15:5: That ye may with one mind and one mouth;.... This is the end for which the above request is made, and shows, that a cordial and sincere affection for one another is necessary to the worshipping of God with one consent, to a joining together in acts of religious service, both in praying to God, and in praising of him, which latter seems here chiefly designed; for how should there be an agreement of heart and voice, of mind and mouth, in praising God, unless there is a singleness of heart, and oneness of affection? This is necessary in order to glorify God, even the F”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 81:1: When the people of God were gathered together in the solemn day, the day of the feast of the Lord, they must be told that they had business to do, for we do not go to church to sleep nor to be idle; no, there is that which the duty of every day requires, work of the day, which is to be done in its day. And here, I. The worshippers of God are excited to their work, and are taught, by singing this psalm, to stir up both themselves and one another to it, Psa 81:1-3. Our errand is, to give unto God the glory due unto his name, and in all our religious assemblies we mu”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 105:1: Our devotion is here warmly excited; and we are stirred up, that we may stir up ourselves to praise God. Observe, I. The duties to which we are here called, and they are many, but the tendency of them all is to give unto God the glory due unto his name. 1. We must give thanks to him, as one who has always been our bountiful benefactor and requires only that we give him thanks for his favours - poor returns for rich receivings. 2. Call upon his name, as one whom you depend upon for further favours. Praying for further mercies is accepted as an acknowledgment of fo”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 4:10: For therefore we both labour,.... Not in the word and doctrine, though they did; nor in the exercise of internal godliness, though there is a work in faith, and a labour in love; nor with their own hands, at their trades and business, to support themselves, and others; but by enduring hardships and afflictions, as stripes, imprisonment, weariness, pain, watchings, fastings, hunger, thirst, cold, and nakedness; see Co2 11:23. And suffer reproach; with patience and cheerfulness. The Alexandrian copy, and another manuscript, read, "we strive"; or contend even to an ”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 5:3: And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also,.... The tribulations of the saints are many and various, through the hatred of the world, the temptations of Satan, their own corruptions; and are the will of their heavenly Father; what Christ has foretold, and they expect; and here particularly design such as are for Christ's sake, which being supported under, and carried through, they glory in: not that these are desirable in themselves, and to the flesh; but they glory in them as they are for Christ's sake, and in a good cause; as they are trials of grace, and of ”