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2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brethren, farewell.
Be perfect [katartizo],
be of good comfort, be of one mind [to
auto phroneo], live in peace; and the
God of love and peace shall be with you.
"To auto phroneo" literally means "the same thoughts." When each believer thinks the Word of God we have the same thoughts. We are of one mind on the Word of God. To be perfect, to be comforted, to live in peace - we must think the same thoughts. We must think the Word of God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is given
by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect
[artios],
throughly furnished [exartizo]
unto all good works.
"artios" means "complete in all parts
and proportions."
"katartizo" means
"to
perfectly equip, to make fully ready, to put in full order, complete."
"exartizo" means "to fit out or
equip fully, to be put in perfect readiness for, complete."
In Greek literature these words are used of a ship that is fully equipped for its voyage having everything needed. These words are also used of a hip joint to describe the perfect fit of the ball in the socket. The Word of God is given so that a believer is perfectly outfitted with all he needs to do the work of God. When each believer thinks the same thoughts (the Word of God), we are of one mind perfected together.
1 Corinthians 1:10
Now I beseech you, brethren,
by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that
ye all speak the same thing, and that
there be no divisions among you; but that ye be
perfectly joined together [katartizo, katartizo,
katartizo] in the same mind [to
auto nous] and in
the same judgment.
"Katartizo" appears three times together in this verse: "perfectly joined together." We are completely, completely, complete when we are likeminded on God's Word. The word "mind" is the word "nous" and represents the whole mind. Believers are to be perfected together as if they had one mind. The same judgment is the same opinion. There are to be no divisions among the believers. We are to hold the same opinion: the Word of God. We are to be of one perfect mind.
Romans 12:16
Be
of the same mind [to
auto phroneo] one toward another.
Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not
wise in your own conceits.
"To auto phroneo" literally means "the same thoughts." This phrase is used six times in the Word of God. It must be available for believers to think the same thoughts or God would not ask us to do it. When each believer thinks the Word of God we have the same thoughts. We are of one mind on the Word of God.
Romans 15:5
Now the God of patience and consolation
grant you to be likeminded [phroneo]
one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
That ye may with
one mind [homothumadon] and
one
mouth glorify God, even the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
"Likeminded" is phroneo. It is just the word for thoughts as if all believers had only one thought. We are to think the Word of God according to Christ Jesus. One mind is "homothumadon" which means to have "unity of purpose" or "one purpose." It comes from the word "homou" meaning "one" and "thumos" meaning passion or heavy breathing. With one mind and one mouth passionately glorify God!
Philippians 1:27
Only let your conversation be
as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or
else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand
fast in one spirit, with one mind [psuche]
striving together for the faith of the gospel;
One mind in this verse is "one soul." Our whole life is to be focused on striving together in belief of the gospel. Our manner of life (conversation) is to be that which exemplifies the gospel of Christ. As each of us puts our whole heart and soul into walking the Word we are of one mind.
Philippians 2:2
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be
likeminded [to auto phroneo],
having the same love, being of one accord [sumpsuchos],
of
one mind [phroneo].
Think the same thoughts, love with the same love of God, be of one soul ("sun" together & "psuche" soul), think the same thoughts. One thought: one mind!
Philippians 3:16
Nevertheless, whereto we have
already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let
us mind the same thing [to auto phroneo].
We are to think the same thoughts. We are to walk by the same rule - the Word of God.
Philippians 4:2
I beseech Euodias, and beseech
Syntyche, that they be of the same mind [to
auto phroneo] in the Lord.
Philippians was written to reprove wrong practice. Here two individual believers are encouraged to think the same thoughts - "in the Lord."
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, be
ye all of one mind [homophron],
having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful,
be
courteous:
This is the only place that "homophron" is used in the Bible. It comes from the word "homos" meaning same and "phroneo" meaning thoughts. Once again, to be of one mind we must think the same thoughts.
Matthew 18:19-20
Again I say unto you,
That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they
shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered
together in my name, there am I in the midst
of them.
If we are going to think the same thoughts and be of one mind, we must spend time together as believers. When we are gathered together in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ with unity of purpose in thinking and acting on the Word of God, our prayers have power.
Acts 2:44,46
And all
that believed were together, and had all things
common;
And sold their possessions and
goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
And they, continuing daily with
one accord [homothumadon] in
the temple, and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with
gladness and singleness of heart,
Praising God, and having favour
with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such
as should be saved.
The believers in the early church were together. They had unity of purpose. They had a like passion for living God's Word. They helped each other get their needs met. They ate together and (as if they had one heart) they moved God's Word together.
Romans 1:12
That is, that I may be comforted
together with you by the mutual faith [believing]
both of you and me.
Paul wrote that he longed to see the believers face to face and be with them so that all could be comforted together by their mutual believing.
2 Corinthians 6:14
Be ye not
unequally yoked together with unbelievers:
for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion
hath light with darkness?
Fellowship with those who do not believe the same Word of God is an "unequal yoke." It is like putting an ox with a donkey and trying to get them working together to to plow a straight line. It just does not work.
Ephesians 4:16
From whom the whole body fitly
joined together and compacted by
that which every joint supplieth, according
to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase
of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
The body of Christ is built up when each joint works together with one mind. Christ is the head and we are members of his body. To be likeminded, with unity of purpose, we must fellowship together around the greatness of the Word of God given to the church.
Colossians 2:2
That their hearts might be comforted,
being knit together
in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to
the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Colossians 2:19
And not holding the Head, from
which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and
knit
together, increaseth with the increase of
God.
We are knit together when we are of one mind, holding the Head as our source of nourishment.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Wherefore comfort
yourselves together, and edify
one another, even as also ye do.
Fellowship together with likeminded believers is essential. It is the key to comfort, edification and exhortation as we look together toward the day of Christ's return.
Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as the manner
of some is; but exhorting one another:
and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Cortright
Fellowship