Co-operating, in a biblical context, refers to the act of working together harmoniously towards a common goal or purpose, often in alignment with God's will. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible, where cooperation is seen as a vital component of Christian life and community.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible emphasizes the importance of unity and cooperation among believers. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently addresses the need for cooperation within the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 , Paul writes, "For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. For the body does not consist of one part, but of many." This passage highlights the necessity of each member working together, each fulfilling their unique role for the health and function of the whole body.

Old Testament Examples

The Old Testament also provides numerous examples of cooperation. In Exodus 17:12 , when the Israelites were fighting the Amalekites, "Moses’ hands grew heavy, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down." This act of cooperation led to the victory of the Israelites, demonstrating the power of working together towards a common goal.

Another example is found in Nehemiah 4:6 , where the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall is described: "So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work." The collective effort and cooperation of the people were crucial in accomplishing this monumental task.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, cooperation is further encouraged among believers. In Philippians 2:2-4 , Paul exhorts the church, "then make my joy complete by being of one mind, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." This passage underscores the importance of selflessness and unity in cooperation.

Spiritual Gifts and Cooperation

The concept of spiritual gifts also highlights the necessity of cooperation within the church. In Romans 12:4-6 , Paul writes, "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. We have different gifts according to the grace given us." The diversity of gifts among believers is intended to complement one another, requiring cooperation to effectively serve the body of Christ.

Practical Application

Cooperation is not only a spiritual principle but also a practical necessity for the functioning of the church and the fulfillment of its mission. In Acts 2:44-47 , the early church is described as having "all things in common" and working together to meet each other's needs, resulting in the growth and strengthening of the community. This model of cooperation serves as an example for modern believers to work together in love and unity, reflecting the character of Christ to the world.

Conclusion

The biblical principle of cooperation is essential for the health and growth of the Christian community. Through cooperation, believers can effectively fulfill their God-given purposes, support one another, and advance the kingdom of God.

Whether Grace is Fittingly Divided into Operating and Cooperating ...
... OF THE DIVISION OF GRACE (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether grace is fittingly divided
into operating and cooperating grace? Objection 1: It ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether grace is fittingly divided 2.htm

A Good Will May be Small and Weak; an Ample Will, Great Love. ...
... A Treatise on grace and free will, Chapter 33 [XVII.]"A Good Will May Be Small and
Weak; An Ample Will, Great Love. Operating and Co-operating Grace. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 33 xvii a good will.htm

On the Different Kinds of Cause.
... Of Causes, some are Procatarctic and some Synectic, some Co-operating, some Causes
sine ... the Synectic, and the nature of the learner the cooperating cause, and ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter ix on the different kinds.htm

Starting from this Point You May Understand the Majesty of the ...
... Wherefore that holy Thing which shall be born of Thee shall be called the Son of
God." See here the Trinity mutually cooperating with each other. ...
/.../10 starting from this point.htm

Whether the Power of the Keys Extends to the Remission of Guilt? ...
... First, by a declaration, not of present, but of future forgiveness, without
co-operating therein in any way: and thus the sacraments of the Old Law signified ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the power of the.htm

On Obedience to the Commands of God in General
... But that special concurrence or assistance of grace, which is also called "co-operating
and accompanying grace" differs neither in kind nor efficacy from that ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lxx on obedience to.htm

In what Respect Philosophy Contributes to the Comprehension of ...
... a distinction, by saying that philosophy is a concurrent and cooperating cause of ...
incapable of operating by itself, we describe as co-operating and concausing ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xx in what respect philosophy.htm

Whether Grace is Fittingly Divided into Prevenient and Subsequent ...
... I answer that, As grace is divided into operating and cooperating, with regard to
its diverse effects, so also is it divided into prevenient and subsequent ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether grace is fittingly divided 3.htm

Whether the Debt of Punishment Remains after the Guilt Has Been ...
... and of the debt of eternal punishment belongs to operating grace, while the remission
of the debt of temporal punishment belongs to co-operating grace, in so ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the debt of punishment 3.htm

Interdenominational Readjustment
... The following proposal for a County Christian Association, supported out of the
budgets of local cooperating churches, has been worked out: ...
/.../chapter viii interdenominational readjustment.htm

Co-operating (1 Occurrence)
Co-operating. Cool, Co-operating. Cooperation . Multi-Version
Concordance Co-operating (1 Occurrence). James 2:22 You ...
/c/co-operating.htm - 6k

Cooperation (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of cooperating, or of operating together
to one end; joint operation; concurrent effort or labor. ...
/c/cooperation.htm - 7k

Immaculate
... for the Holy Spirit does not work impersonally, and miraculous holiness which is
holiness of a purely Divine character, without a free, cooperating human factor ...
/i/immaculate.htm - 16k

Cool (8 Occurrences)

/c/cool.htm - 10k

Conception (6 Occurrences)
... for the Holy Spirit does not work impersonally, and miraculous holiness which is
holiness of a purely Divine character, without a free, cooperating human factor ...
/c/conception.htm - 19k

Judah (802 Occurrences)
... them. For the most part they were in friendly alliance, co-operating against
their common enemies, especially against Damascus. ...
/j/judah.htm - 101k

Active (4 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV). James 2:22 You notice that his faith was co-operating with
his actions, and that by his actions his faith was perfected; (See RSV). ...
/a/active.htm - 9k

Notice (44 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). James 2:22 You notice that his faith was co-operating with his actions,
and that by his actions his faith was perfected; (WEY). ...
/n/notice.htm - 19k

Actions (62 Occurrences)
... (WEY). James 2:22 You notice that his faith was co-operating with his actions,
and that by his actions his faith was perfected; (WEY NIV). ...
/a/actions.htm - 24k

Simon (75 Occurrences)
... 17;; Josephus, Ant, XII, viii, 1). We find him next taking revenge along with Jonathan
on the "children of Jambri" (1 Maccabees 9:33;), and cooperating in the ...
/s/simon.htm - 91k

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