Introduction:
The term "we've" is a contraction of "we have," commonly used in modern English to denote possession or experience shared by a group. While the contraction itself does not appear in the Bible, the concept of collective experience and shared responsibility is prevalent throughout the Scriptures. This entry explores the biblical themes related to communal identity, shared faith, and collective responsibility, as reflected in the use of "we" and "have" in the Bible.

Collective Identity in Scripture:
The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of community and collective identity among God's people. In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel is often addressed as a collective entity. For example, in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 , the Shema declares, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This passage underscores the communal identity of Israel as a people united in their worship and love for God.

In the New Testament, the Church is described as the Body of Christ, highlighting the interconnectedness of believers. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 , Paul writes, "The body is a unit, though it is comprised of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with 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." This passage illustrates the shared identity and unity of believers in Christ.

Shared Faith and Experience:
The Bible also speaks to the shared faith and experiences of God's people. In the Psalms, communal expressions of faith and trust in God are common. Psalm 124:1-3 states, "If the LORD had not been on our side—let Israel now declare—if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, then they would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger." Here, the psalmist reflects on the collective experience of God's deliverance and protection.

In the New Testament, the early Church is depicted as a community that shares in both spiritual and material blessings. Acts 2:44-47 describes the early believers: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need. With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people." This passage highlights the communal life and shared faith of the early Christians.

Collective Responsibility:
The Bible also emphasizes the concept of collective responsibility among God's people. In the Old Testament, the covenant relationship between God and Israel included communal obligations. In Deuteronomy 29:10-15 , Moses addresses the Israelites: "All of you are standing today before the LORD your God...to enter into the covenant of the LORD your God, which He is making with you today and sealing with an oath, so that He may establish you today as His people and He may be your God, as He promised you and as He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." This passage underscores the collective responsibility of the Israelites to uphold the covenant with God.

In the New Testament, believers are called to bear one another's burdens. Galatians 6:2 instructs, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This directive reflects the shared responsibility of Christians to support and care for each other within the community of faith.

Conclusion:
While the contraction "we've" does not appear in the biblical text, the themes of collective identity, shared faith, and communal responsibility are deeply embedded in Scripture. These themes underscore the importance of community and the shared experiences of God's people throughout biblical history.

Diamond and his Mother Sat Down Upon the Edge of the Rough Grass ...
... "No. We've got to work for our bread.". "Then let's go and work," said Diamond,
getting up. "It's no use. We've not got anything to do.". "Then let's wait.". ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 13 diamond and his.htm

Chapter twenty-seven
... We've got the money. That's enough!". "Enough! ... And put back the money too. This is
the Bishop we've held up"the Bishop"do you hear?". "And what of it! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-seven.htm

Song of Consolation.
... and sore dejection? We've had an ample share of grief, Yet God hath sometimes
sent relief, A respite brief of gladness. Not so doth ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/song of consolation.htm

Shall I not My God be Praising?
... hide Thy saving health and light. How many hast Thou given o'er, We've oft
been shielded by Thy pow'r. In many a sad and weary hour ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/shall i not my god.htm

A Heart-Breaking Verse.
... We want to be saved from a certain place we think of as down, that we've been taught
about, and don't want to go to"if it's there; the way men talk about it ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/a heart-breaking verse.htm

Shall we Go?
... Father. It was this compassion that controlled Him those human years. It
drove Him hard along the road we've been looking at. He ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/shall we go.htm

Conscience.
... By the Lord's help, I will gladly explain. Conscience is that which causes
us to feel bad when we do what we've been taught to be wrong. ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter vi conscience.htm

Pilgrim Song.
... Who watch us from above. O brothers! soon is ended. The journey we've begun; Endure
a little longer,. The race will soon be run. And in the land of rest,. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/pilgrim song.htm

Of Death and Dying. --Psalm Xc.
... We've borne the cross these weary years, Now let Thy sun be shining, Vouchsafe us
laughter after tears, And pleasure after pining. And evermore, O Lord! ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/of death and dying psalm xc.htm

The Invitation: to Tom Hughes
... to Robert Browning Beggars, fleas, and vines; Leave to mournful Ruskin Popish Apennines,
Dirty Stones of Venice And his Gas-lamps Seven" We've the stones of ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the invitation to tom hughes.htm

We've (2 Occurrences)
We've. Wetting, We've. Whale . Multi-Version Concordance We've (2
Occurrences). Luke 5:5 Simon answered him, "Master, we worked ...
/w/we've.htm - 6k

Whale (2 Occurrences)

/w/whale.htm - 13k

Wetting (1 Occurrence)

/w/wetting.htm - 7k

Man (26072 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A term of familiar address often implying on the part of the speaker some
degree of authority, impatience, or haste; as, Come, man, we've no time to ...
/m/man.htm - 56k

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