What interdependence means
The word “interdependence” does not appear in the Bible, but the idea is everywhere. It describes people who rely on each other, in contrast with both isolation and total self-reliance. Scripture presents a layered picture: people depend first on God, and God designs them to need one another. The quotations here are short excerpts from the King James Version (KJV), which is in the public domain.
Made for each other
The theme begins early. In Genesis 2:18 God says, “It is not good that the man should be alone.” Humans are made for relationship.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 gives a practical case: “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow.” It ends with “a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Readers often use this verse at weddings, though the passage speaks about companionship and cooperation more generally. Proverbs 27:17 adds, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
One body, many members
The clearest New Testament picture is the body. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 Paul compares the church to a body with many parts (for the gifts that come before this passage, see our Holy Spirit discussion questions). Verse 21 says, “And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” Verse 26 says “whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”
Romans 12:4-5 makes the same point: “we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” The phrase “members one of another” captures the idea of belonging to each other. Two implications follow: no one is unnecessary, and no one is self-sufficient.
Growing together
Ephesians 4:11-16 describes leaders given to the church “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Verse 13 says the goal is that “we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” In this verse “perfect” is often read as mature or complete, and “all” matters: the maturity described is shared, not individual only.
Verse 16 continues the body image: “the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth.” Every joint supplies something. Growth happens “unto the edifying of itself in love.” For other images of growth, see Bible verses about roots and Bible verses about pruning.
Carrying burdens
- Galatians 6:2: “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
- Galatians 6:5: “For every man shall bear his own burden.” These two verses can seem contradictory. Many commentators explain that the word for burden in verse 2 refers to heavy loads that need shared help, while the one in verse 5 refers to personal responsibility. Healthy interdependence holds both.
- Hebrews 10:24-25: “let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.”
- Acts 2:42-47: The first believers devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, and sharing what they had. See Bible verses about feeding the poor and Helping the Widows and Orphans: Bible Verses for how this care was expressed.
- Philippians 2:3-4: Look not only on your own things “but every man also on the things of others.”
How does one depend on God?
Interdependence does not replace dependence on God. Jesus says in John 15:5, “without me ye can do nothing.” Some practical expressions of depending on God include:
- Trust: Proverbs 3:5-6, trusting him rather than leaning only on one’s own understanding.
- Prayer: Philippians 4:6 urges bringing requests to God “in every thing.”
- Daily provision: Matthew 6:25-34 teaches not to be anxious about food and clothing because the Father knows what is needed.
- Refuge: Psalm 46:1 calls God “a very present help in trouble.”
- Weakness: In 2 Corinthians 12:9 God tells Paul, “my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Christians often say that depending on God and depending on one another are not rivals. God commonly works through people.
What is Colossians 3:17 saying?
Colossians 3:17 reads, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” It is a summary of how to live: everything, including speech and action, is to be done under Christ’s authority and with thanks. It comes just after instructions for how to treat one another (verses 12-16: kindness, forgiveness, peace, and mutual teaching). Interdependent life in the church is meant to be lived this way. See also Bible verses about harsh words.
What does the Bible say about intermarriage?
This topic is often understood to include marriage between people of different faiths, or in the Old Testament, between Israelites and neighboring peoples. A short overview: Deuteronomy 7:3-4 forbids Israel from marrying certain Canaanite peoples because of the risk of turning to other gods, and Ezra 9-10 and Nehemiah 13 describe efforts to address the issue after the exile. At the same time, Ruth, a Moabite, becomes part of David’s line (see Bible stories about loyalty), and the concern in these texts is generally understood to be faithfulness to God more than ethnicity.
In the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 6:14 says “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” Christians differ on whether this applies mainly to marriage or to partnerships more broadly. First Corinthians 7:12-14 gives guidance to a believer already married to an unbeliever, advising against leaving. Because this is a sensitive topic, speaking with a pastor or trusted mentor is wise.
Practicing interdependence
- Join a church or small group, and take part rather than only attending.
- Offer what you have, and be willing to receive help. Needing others is not a failure.
- Share burdens early, as Galatians 6:2 suggests.
- Pursue unity with patience. Wisdom will help; see Bible verses about wisdom and knowledge.
- Remember fairness among members; see Examples of Equity in the Bible.