Supporting One Another in Times of Need Biblically

The biblical concept of supporting one another in times of need is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing communal responsibility and divine assistance. The Psalms frequently portray God as the ultimate source of help and refuge in trouble ^{[4, 12]}. For instance, Psalm 46:1 declares, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" ^[4]. Similarly, Psalm 44:26 appeals to God: "Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake" ^[1]. John Gill interprets this as God being the sole and present help for His people, acting out of mercy rather than human merit ^[10].

This divine pattern of help extends to human relationships within the community of faith. The New Testament calls believers to emulate God's compassion by actively supporting one another. The author of Hebrews encourages believers to "draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need" ^[2]. This access to divine help is often mediated through the community.

Scripture outlines several ways believers are to support those in need:

Prayer: One primary way to offer support is through intercessory prayer. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 1:11, asks the Corinthian believers to help him "by your supplication," so that thanks might be given by many for the gift bestowed through their prayers ^{[3, 11]}. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists numerous passages exhorting prayer for the afflicted, including Acts 12:5 and James 5:14-16 ^[5].
Sympathy and Comfort: Believers are called to "sympathise with them" (Romans 12:15) and "pity them" (Job 6:14) ^[5]. Comforting those who are suffering is a recurring theme, as seen in 2 Corinthians 1:4 and 1 Thessalonians 4:18 ^[5].
Practical Assistance: Beyond emotional and spiritual support, tangible help is expected. This includes visiting the afflicted (James 1:27), relieving their burdens (Job 31:19-20; Philippians 4:14), and protecting them (Psalm 82:3; Proverbs 22:22) ^[5]. Easton's Bible Dictionary suggests that "helps" in 1 Corinthians 12:28 refers to practical assistance like caring for the poor and needy ^[7].
Bearing Burdens: Galatians 6:2 instructs believers to "bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" ^[13]. Tyndale House notes that this act of carrying burdens fulfills the command to love one another, echoing Old Testament principles like Leviticus 19:18 and Jesus' teachings in Matthew 22:36-40 ^[13].
Fellowship and Mutual Responsibility: The concept of koinōnia (fellowship) extends beyond material gifts to a deeper engagement with fellow Christians in need ^[8]. There is a mutual responsibility among believers, where those with abundance are to assist those in poverty, ensuring that "all may have enough," as Paul quotes from Exodus 16:18 in 2 Corinthians 8:15 ^[9].

The communion of saints, according to Torrey's Topical Textbook, involves mutual prayer, exhortation, comfort, edification, sympathy, and kindness ^[6]. This communal support is rooted in the shared Spirit, faith, and Redeemer that unite believers ^[14]. Calvin emphasizes that this shared spiritual benefit should lead to "mutual kindness" and "brotherly love," which serves as a unifying bond ^[14].

Sources

Psalms “Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake. -- Psalms 44:26”
Hebrews “Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need. -- Hebrews 4:16”
2 Corinthians “you also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift bestowed on us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on your behalf. -- 2 Corinthians 1:11”
Psalms “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. -- Psalms 46:1”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted, Duty Toward The — To pray for them -- Ac 12:5; Php 1:16,19; Jas 5:14-16. To sympathise with them -- Ro 12:15; Ga 6:2. To pity them -- Job 6:14. To bear them in mind -- Heb 13:3. To visit them -- Jas 1:27. To comfort them -- Job 16:5; 29:25; 2Co 1:4; 1Th 4:18. To relieve them -- Job 31:19,20; Isa 58:10; Php 4:14; 1Ti 5:10. To protect them -- Ps 82:3; Pr 22:22; 31:5.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion of Saints — According to the prayer of Christ -- Joh 17:20,21. Is with God. -- 1Jo 1:3. Saints in heaven. -- Heb 12:22-24. Each other. -- Ga 2:9; 1Jo 1:3,7. God marks, with his approval -- Mal 3:16. Christ is present in -- Mt 18:20. In public and social worship -- Ps 34:3; 55:14; Ac 1:14; Heb 10:25. In the Lord's supper -- 1Co 10:17. In holy conversation -- Mal 3:16. In prayer for each other -- 2Co 1:11; Eph 6:18. In exhortation -- Col 3:16; Heb 10:25. In mutual comfort and edification -- 1Th 4:18; 5:11. In mutual sympathy and kindness -- Ro 12:15; Eph 4:32”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Helps — (1 Cor. 12:28) may refer to help (i.e., by interpretation) given to him who speaks with tongues, or more probably simply help which Christians can render to one another, such as caring for the poor and needy, etc.”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 12:13: 12:13 be ready to help them: The verb Paul uses is related to the familiar Greek word koinōnia (“fellowship”). When needs arise among our Christian brothers and sisters, we are not just to meet their needs; we should also enter into fellowship with these fellow Christians in ways that extend beyond material gifts.”
2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 8:15: 8:15 Paul quotes from Exod 16:18 to say that there is a mutual responsibility among Christians: Affluent believers (the Corinthians) should help poor believers (in Jerusalem) so that all may have enough.”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 44:26: Arise for our help,.... Or, "arise our help" (s). God is the help of his people, and he is a present help in time of trouble; and he is the only one; and he can help and does, when none else can; and redeem us for thy mercies' sake; not for the sake of her integrity and faithfulness; nor for her sufferings for Christ's sake; but for his grace and mercy's sake, which is the source and spring of redemption or deliverance, both temporal and spiritual; and to that the saints ascribe it, and not to any merit of theirs, or works of righteousness done by them. (s) "auxi”
2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 1:11: helping together by prayer for us--rather, "helping together on our behalf by your supplication"; the words "for us" in the Greek following "helping together," not "prayer." that for the gift, &c.--literally, "That on the part of many persons the gift (literally, 'gift of grace'; the mercy) bestowed upon us by means of (that is, through the prayers of) many may be offered thanks for (may have thanks offered for it) on our behalf."”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 46:1: God is our refuge and strength,.... That is, Christ, who is God as well as man, is the "refuge" for souls to fly unto for safety; as for sensible sinners, in a view of danger, wrath, and misery, so for saints, in every time of distress; typified by the cities of refuge, under the legal dispensation; See Gill on Psa 9:9; and he it is from whom they have all their spiritual strength, and every renewal and supply of it, to exercise grace, perform duties, withstand enemies, bear the cross patiently, show a fortitude of mind under the sorest distresses, and hold on and out”
Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 6:2: 6:2 Carrying each other’s burdens (6:1) fulfills the law of Christ to love one another (5:13-14; see also Lev 19:18; Matt 22:36-40; John 13:34; 15:12; 1 Jn 3:23).”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 25.4: we have one Spirit to guide us, one faith, one Redeemer, one baptism, for all this is included in the word Benefit. Since therefore we have that, let us learn to esteem the graces of God, in order that they may lead us to all mutual kindness, and that we may act in accordance with the lesson which Paul teaches us in another passage, ( Ephesians 4:2 ,) namely, that we owe to each other brotherly love for that is “a bond’ which ought to be reckoned sufficient for uniting us.’ — Fr. Ser.”

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