A failure to be of one mind, which should be avoided whenever possible within the church, the family and other areas of everyday life. Christians are urged to maintain the unity of the church and avoid damaging division.
Disagreement within the church
Between individuals
Philippians 4:2 See also Mark 9:33–34 parallel Luke 9:46; Acts 15:36–40 these differences later reconciled; see 1 Corinthians 9:6; 2 Timothy 4:11; 1 Corinthians 1:11–12, 1 Corinthians 3:3–4; 2 Corinthians 12:20
I urge Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
About doctrine
Acts 15:1–2 See also Acts 15:11–14, Acts 15:19–20; Galatians 2:11–14
Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
Disagreement in the family
May cause estrangement
Micah 7:6 See also Genesis 27:41–45, Genesis 37:4
For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.
Is unpleasant to live with
Proverbs 19:13, Proverbs 21:9, Proverbs 21:19, Proverbs 25:24, Proverbs 27:15
Disagreement among witnesses
Mark 14:56 The background to this statement is Deuteronomy 19:15, which demands that conviction can only take place on the testimony of two or three agreed witnesses.
For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent.
The wisdom of avoiding disagreement
2 Timothy 2:14 See also Proverbs 17:14, Proverbs 20:3, Proverbs 26:17, Proverbs 26:21; Romans 16:17; 2 Timothy 2:23
Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
To prevent division
Matthew 12:25 parallels Mark 3:24–25, Luke 11:17 See also 1 Kings 12:16–17 parallel 2 Chronicles 10:16–17
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
Sin provokes disagreement
Galatians 5:19–20 See also Proverbs 6:12–14, Proverbs 17:19; Titus 3:9–11; James 3:16
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,
Examples where disagreement is inevitable
1 Samuel 11:1–2 Nahash's suggestion to the men of Jabesh Gilead; 1 Kings 20:8 Ben-Hadad's demands on Ahab
Examples of resolved disagreement
Genesis 13:5–9 Abraham and Lot resolve their disagreement over land and livestock; Genesis 26:19–22 Isaac settles a disagreement about the water supply; 1 Kings 3:16–27 Solomon resolves a disagreement between two prostitutes.
Ways to resolve disagreement
Settlement out of court
Matthew 5:25 parallel Luke 12:58 See also 1 Corinthians 6:1
Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.
Accepting weaknesses
Striving for harmony
1 Corinthians 1:10 See also Romans 14:19, Romans 15:5; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 4:3; Philippians 2:2–3; Colossians 3:13–15; 1 Thessalonians 5:13; 2 Timothy 2:23–24; 1 Peter 3:8
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction.
Appointing wise leaders
Deuteronomy 1:12–13 Moses realised that he was unable to deal with all the people's disputes alone. See also Matthew 18:15–17; 1 Corinthians 6:5–6
But how can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes all by myself? Choose for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will appoint them as your leaders.”
Being of sound doctrine
1 Timothy 1:3–4 See also Titus 3:9–10
As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.
Those who seek to resolve disagreement are blessed
Matthew 5:9 See also James 3:18
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.