Relacionamentos
Os relacionamentos são centrais na vida cristã. A Bíblia orienta sobre amizade, casamento, família e convivência, sempre tendo o amor como fundamento de toda relação.
Amor e amizade
O amigo ama em todo tempo. A Bíblia valoriza amizades verdadeiras que edificam, fortalecem e desafiam ao crescimento mútuo.
He that is a friend, loveth in all time; and a brother is proved in anguishes.
Iron is whetted by iron; and a man whetteth the face of his friend.
Therefore it is better, that two be together than one; for they have profit of their fellowship.
If one falleth down, he shall be underset of the tother; woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to raise him up.
And if any man hath [the] mastery against one, twain [or two] against-stand him; a threefold cord is broken of hard.
Casamento e família
O casamento é aliança sagrada. O marido deve amar a esposa como Cristo amou a Igreja, e ambos devem cultivar respeito e submissão mútua.
Men, love ye your wives, as Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it,
to make it holy; and cleansed it with the washing of water, in the word of life,
So and men shall love their wives, as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife, loveth himself;
Nevertheless ye all, each man love his wife as himself; and the wife dread her husband.
Women, be they subject to their husbands, as to the Lord,
for the man is head of the woman, as Christ is head of the church; he is Saviour of his body.
Women, be ye subject to your husbands, as it behooveth in the Lord.
Men, love ye your wives, and do not ye be bitter to them.
And the Lord God said, It is not good that a man be alone; make we to him an helper like to himself.
But for fornication each man have his own wife, and each woman have her own husband.
Houses and riches be given of father and mother; but a prudent wife is given properly of the Lord.
Who shall find a strong woman? the price of her is[a] far, and from the last [or utmost] ends.
My love, thou art all-fair, and no wem is in thee.
Convivência saudável
Os relacionamentos florescem quando tratamos os outros como gostaríamos de ser tratados, com amor crescente e caráter maduro.
Therefore all things, whatever things ye will that men do to you, do ye to them, for this is the law and the prophets.
worship [or honour] thy father and thy mother, and, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
And the Lord multiply you, and make your charity to be plenteous of each to other [or for to abound together], and into all men, as also we in you;
For if any man hath not care of his own, and mostly of his household men or meine, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unfaithful, [or heathen], man.
Do not ye bear the yoke with unfaithful men. For what parting, [or communing], of rightwiseness with wickedness? or what fellowship of light to darknesses?
For now whether counsel I men, or God? or whether I seek to please men? If I pleased yet men, I were not Christ’s servant.
And bring ye in all busyness, and minister in your faith virtue, and in virtue knowing [or science];
in knowing [or in science], abstinence, in abstinence patience, in patience piety;
in piety, love of brotherhood, and in love of brotherhood charity.
Better is a good name, than many riches; for good grace is above silver and gold.