APPLICATION ARTICLE | T. Sean Sullivan | Paragould, Arkansas
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Introduction
The Scriptures hold great details that are sometimes missed. Ephesians 4:2 is often used to teach the inspired exhortation from Paul, “…bear with one another in love.” This is a good and right pursuit to maintain our unity by helping each other. However, if we only concentrate on the exhortation point itself, we miss the detailed list of tools that we need to gather in order to accomplish the task of “bearing with one another.”
There are three things that Paul tells us to take on in order to enable us to bear with one another in love. We need lowliness (humility). We need gentleness (care). We need long-suffering (patience). With these abilities, we will be able to help others in their pursuit of truth and their hope of salvation. Let’s open the Scriptures and consider the necessity of these attitudes of heart, and how we can skillfully use them to take on “the heart of a servant.”
A Humble Heart
What does it mean to be a humble helper to a brother or sister in the Lord? First, it is a role that is greater than self. This was the approach that we see in the life of Epaphroditus, who did not consider his own health in his efforts to supply help for Paul (Philippians 2:25-30). When we approach the need of helping our brethren, we must see beyond self to the greater good of a soul being rescued (James 5:19-20). We must also see that the “helping role” is one that might reverse. We are called to help a brother or sister in times of trouble (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15) and, at some point, we may be the one in need of help. With this in mind, we will want to provide the best because that is what we would want (Galatians 6:1-2). This helping role is also a role of necessity, not an option.
We need to be humble enough to know that we are responsible to seek the best for our brethren—this is our role (Romans 12:9-15). We are to love them in truth; we are to offer them all that we would prefer; and we are to “distribute” to their needs—the greatest of which is continued faith, leading to salvation.
From time to time, our brethren stumble, or, at least, they are slowed down by this life. We must seek their restoration to faith and strength, being humble enough to use God’s plan, not our own. God’s plan calls for a proper course of action (Matthew 18:15-17) and a willingness to act. We need to apply the energy of a shepherd seeking a lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7) or the diligence of one who searches for a lost coin (Luke 15:8-10). Yes, we can bear with one another, with humility.
A Caring Heart
What does it mean to be a caring helper? It means that we are at a level of involvement with our brethren that causes us to care about their successes or failures (Romans 12:15). Also, this means that we are mature enough to know that when they are weak, we are weakened (2 Corinthians 11:25-29). Being a “caring helper” truly calls us to be compassionate toward our brethren. Jesus taught us compassion and care (Matthew 9:36; 14:14), and we know the extent to which He was willing to apply that compassion toward us—He supplied what we needed, no matter the cost (Hebrews 9:22-28).
To be a caring helper for our brethren, we must be empathetic, not apathetic. When we become numb to our brethren’s distress, we are no longer a help to their success. We are actually encouraging their failure, since we are not helping them find their way back out of perdition, in which they lose their hope (Hebrews 10:38).
When sin interrupts our growth, we must care. In the church, we are in a situation that causes mutual strength to be an individual concern (1 Corinthians 12:20-27). The church is a gathering of abilities in which we combine our strengths for effectiveness (Ephesians 4:11-16). To be a caring helper for our brethren, we must get involved with them. Yes, we can bear with one another, with care.
A Patient Heart
Patience is always a challenge when we are dealing with things we are passionate about. Knowing how important our service to God is, we constantly want to be more than we are right now. Not only do we tend to lack patience with ourselves, but we also tend to lack patience with others when they struggle to grow in the Lord. We need to be patient with: self (James 1:2-4), the weak (Romans 15:1-6); and, as Paul says, with “all” our brethren (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
Patience is the willingness to nurture growth. Jesus spoke of the “tiny mustard seed” that can grow into a large tree (Matthew 13:31-32). This process, even in ideal conditions, takes time. When we try to push and force, we destroy more than we gain; instead, we are to exhort (Hebrews 3:13-14), edify (Ephesians 4:29), and comfort (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Yes, we can bear with one another, with patience.
Conclusion
Paul, in Ephesians 4:2, exhorts us to “bear with one another in love.” This is a challenge that is achieved by the use of the proper tools and techniques. To accomplish this task of continuing to “bear with one another in love,” we need humility – understanding that we too are subject to weakness. We need care – being involved in the success of our brethren, because it matters to us. We also need patience – knowing that growth takes time, but it is possible.
The beauty of this spiritual family is our willingness to help each person find their way home successfully. Are you on the right track today? Do you need some help? Hope is awaiting you; if you are not a Christian, obey the gospel today to gain it. If you are a Christian with sin in your life, return to God to have it again. We can make it home; with humility, care, and patience, we will “bear with one another in love” all the way there.
GROW magazine | July 2026 PDF
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