ἀλλήλων (allēlōn)
allēlōn
one another
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 95 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word allēlōn translates simply to "one another" or "mutually." It is a reciprocal pronoun that describes actions shared between two or more people, emphasizing that the relationship is bidirectional. Rather than describing a one-sided act of kindness, it points to a dynamic where each person acts toward the other in return.
Its root comes from allos, meaning "other," with reduplication that reinforces the sense of interchange. This linguistic structure highlights equality and reciprocity. In the New Testament, this word appears frequently in ethical instructions, such as when Jesus gives a new commandment for his followers to love one another (John 13:34) or when Paul urges believers to bear each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).
Translators often render it as "one another," though context sometimes shifts the phrasing to "each other" or "to one another." The term carries significant theological weight in passages describing community life, such as Paul’s instruction to greet one another with a holy kiss (Romans 16:16) or Peter’s call for humility toward one another (1 Peter 5:5). It serves as a linguistic marker for the interconnected nature of Christian fellowship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word allēlōn reminds us that faith is not a solitary journey. It describes a mutual exchange, where love and service flow between people like a shared current. When Jesus told his followers to love one another, he was outlining the practical rhythm of community life. This reciprocal bond ensures that no one carries their burdens alone.
In moments of confusion or fear, this word often appears in conversations among believers. It signals that we are meant to seek understanding together, rather than in isolation. Whether it is washing feet as a sign of humility or sharing the joy of Scripture, allēlōn points to an interconnectedness that reflects God’s design for His people.
This mutual care creates a space where grace can flourish. It invites us to look beyond our own needs and consider how we can support those around us. In doing so, we participate in the very life of Christ, who gave Himself for all.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 95 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- one another59×
- one another;11×
- one another.8×
- one another,7×
- to one another4×
- of one another2×
- to one another.1×
- to one another,1×
- to each other1×
- one another?1×
- one another:1×
- of another1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀλλήλους45×
- ἀλλήλων14×
- ἀλλήλους·12×
- ἀλλήλοις8×
- ἀλλήλους,5×
- ἀλλήλων,4×
- ἀλλήλους.4×
- ἀλλήλοις.3×
- ἀλλήλων·1×
- ἀλλήλων.1×
- ἀλλήλους;1×
- ἀλλήλους.¶1×
Key Verses
-
John 13:14
If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
Jesus uses this term to establish humility as a reciprocal duty among his followers, mirroring his own act of service.
-
Mark 9:50
Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
The call to be at peace with one another links mutual harmony directly to the preserving quality of spiritual salt.
-
Luke 24:32
They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?”
The disciples’ shared realization of their burning hearts highlights how communal reflection on Scripture deepens personal faith.