The Bible has a lot to say about solidarity, which is standing in unity with others, especially those who are marginalized or oppressed. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical themes related to solidarity:
Caring for the poor and needy
God calls his people to show compassion and justice for the poor, the orphan, the widow, and the foreigner. For example:
“Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” (Proverbs 14:31)
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” (Isaiah 1:17)
Jesus identified himself with the poor and marginalized, saying “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40) As his followers, we are called to serve and stand in solidarity with those in need.
Unity and equality in Christ
The New Testament speaks of the radical equality of all believers through their unity in Christ.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
This oneness transcends earthly divisions and calls us to solidarity with our brothers and sisters across ethnic, economic, and gender barriers.
Bearing one another’s burdens
An important way Christians express solidarity is by bearing one another’s burdens:
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
This could involve mourning with those who mourn, rejoicing with those who rejoice, or carrying each other’s financial, emotional, or spiritual loads. We are called into compassionate solidarity with one another.
Using our gifts to serve others
The Bible encourages the use of our gifts and resources to benefit others, not merely ourselves:
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10)
Loving our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31) means using what we’ve been given to care for our brothers and sisters.
Pursuing justice
Followers of Jesus are expected to seek justice and correct oppression wherever it’s found:
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” (Isaiah 1:17)
Standing in solidarity with the oppressed means advocating for social, economic, and political justice on their behalf.
Being peacemakers
Jesus pronounced a blessing on those who make peace between people who are divided or in conflict (Matthew 5:9). As peacemakers, Christians can stand in solidarity with all parties, helping bring reconciliation and understanding.
Welcoming the foreigner
In both Old and New Testaments, God’s people are called to show hospitality and compassion to foreigners and strangers:
“Love the sojourner therefore; for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:19)
“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (1 Peter 4:9)
This pictures solidarity with newcomers and care for the displaced.
Comforting those who mourn
An important act of solidarity is to comfort those who are grieving. As Jesus said,
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)
By comforting those who mourn, we stand with them in their pain and grief.
Reconciliation and forgiveness
Forgiving others and seeking reconciliation – as modeled by Jesus’s death on the cross – is a profound act of solidarity because it joins enemies together in peace.
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18)
Being part of the body of Christ
The church is described as Christ’s body, made up of many diverse parts united together (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). This emphasizes interdependence, mutuality, and solidarity within the body. If one part suffers, the whole body suffers (1 Corinthians 12:26).
The golden rule
Jesus taught that we should treat others as we would want to be treated (Luke 6:31). This ethic of reciprocity calls us to imagine ourselves in another’s situation – the essence of solidarity.
Obeying the great commandments
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)
Loving our neighbor as ourselves motivates us to express Christ-like compassion and solidarity.
In summary, the Bible contains a strong theme of solidarity – caring for the marginalized and oppressed, pursuing justice, bearing one another’s burdens, welcoming the stranger, comforting the mourning, forgiving enemies, and imagining ourselves in another’s shoes. Followers of Jesus are called to express God’s love through solidarity with others.