The broken relationship is keeping you up at night. Whether it’s with a family member, friend, spouse, or colleague, the division is painful and the silence is deafening. You’ve replayed the argument a hundred times, wondered who should make the first move, and questioned whether reconciliation is even possible after everything that’s been said and done.
Pride tells you to wait for an apology. Hurt tells you to protect yourself. Anger tells you they don’t deserve your effort. Meanwhile, the gap keeps widening, and the relationship keeps dying.
Reconciliation is hard because it requires humility, vulnerability, and the willingness to be hurt again. But it’s also worth it because relationships matter to God.
These verses reveal that God is in the business of reconciliation, that He calls us to pursue peace even when we’re not the one who caused the problem, and that healing broken relationships often starts with someone choosing to make the first move. Your relationship doesn’t have to end in permanent division. With God’s help and biblical principles, restoration is possible.
Bible Verses For Reconciliation
1. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 – The Ministry of Reconciliation
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
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2. Matthew 5:23-24 – First Go and Be Reconciled
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
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3. Romans 12:18 – Live at Peace With Everyone
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
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4. Colossians 3:13 – Bear With Each Other and Forgive
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
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5. Matthew 18:15 – Go and Point Out Their Fault
If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
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6. Ephesians 4:32 – Be Kind and Compassionate to One Another
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
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7. Romans 5:10 – Reconciled to Him Through the Death of His Son
For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
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8. Ephesians 2:14-16 – His Purpose Was to Create One New Humanity
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
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9. Philippians 4:2 – I Plead With Them to Be of the Same Mind
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
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10. Matthew 6:14-15 – If You Forgive Others
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
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11. Romans 14:19 – Make Every Effort to Do What Leads to Peace
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
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12. 1 Peter 3:8-9 – Do Not Repay Evil With Evil
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
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13. Genesis 33:4 – Esau Ran to Meet Him and Embraced Him
But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.
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14. James 5:16 – Confess Your Sins to Each Other
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
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15. Proverbs 15:1 – A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
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16. Ephesians 4:2-3 – Make Every Effort to Keep the Unity
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
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17. Luke 15:20 – His Father Saw Him and Was Filled With Compassion
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
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18. Matthew 18:21-22 – How Many Times Shall I Forgive?
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
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19. Colossians 1:20 – To Reconcile to Himself All Things
And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
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20. Philemon 1:15-16 – No Longer as a Slave, but Better Than a Slave
Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
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21. 1 Corinthians 7:11 – She Must Remain Unmarried or Be Reconciled
But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
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22. Hebrews 12:14 – Make Every Effort to Live in Peace
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
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23. Genesis 45:14-15 – He Threw His Arms Around His Brother Benjamin
Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.
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24. 2 Corinthians 5:20 – We Implore You on Christ’s Behalf: Be Reconciled to God
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
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25. Matthew 5:9 – Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
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26. Proverbs 17:9 – Whoever Would Foster Love Covers Over an Offense
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
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27. Romans 12:17-18 – Live at Peace With Everyone
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
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28. Luke 17:3-4 – If Your Brother or Sister Sins Against You, Rebuke Them
So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying “I repent,” you must forgive them.
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29. Ephesians 4:26-27 – Do Not Let the Sun Go Down While You Are Still Angry
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
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30. James 3:18 – Peacemakers Who Sow in Peace Reap a Harvest
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
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31. 1 Samuel 25:28 – Please Forgive Your Servant’s Presumption
Please forgive your servant’s presumption. The Lord your God will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because you fight the Lord’s battles, and no wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live.
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32. Acts 15:39 – They Had Such a Sharp Disagreement
They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus.
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33. 2 Timothy 4:11 – Get Mark and Bring Him With You
Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
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34. Galatians 6:1 – Restore Him Gently
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
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35. 1 Peter 4:8 – Love Covers Over a Multitude of Sins
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
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Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Reconciliation
Reconciliation is central to the gospel message. God reconciled us to Himself through Christ when we were His enemies, not waiting for us to clean up our act first. He made the first move, paid the price we couldn’t pay, and offered a relationship we didn’t deserve. That same pattern is what He calls us to follow with others.
Romans 12:18 says, “if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Notice it doesn’t say wait for the other person to make the first move or only pursue reconciliation if they deserve it.
What’s interesting is the story of Paul and Mark in Acts and Timothy. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted ways. But years later, Paul asked for Mark because he was helpful in ministry. Reconciliation happened. Not everything broken stays broken.
Sometimes relationships need time, growth, and God’s work in both people before healing can occur. The key is being willing to do your part, keeping your heart right, and leaving the door open for restoration even when immediate reconciliation isn’t possible.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, this broken relationship is weighing heavily on my heart. The division is painful, the silence is loud, and I don’t know how to bridge the gap. I need Your help to pursue reconciliation even when it’s hard, even when I’m not the one who caused the problem, even when I might get hurt again.
Show me my part in what went wrong. Convict me where I’ve been prideful, harsh, or unwilling to listen. Give me the humility to admit my mistakes and the courage to reach out first, even when everything in me wants to wait for them to come to me.
Soften my heart and soften their heart. Help us both to approach this with gentleness, compassion, and a genuine desire for peace. Give me the right words to say, the right time to say them, and the wisdom to know how to move forward.
If reconciliation is possible, make a way. If it requires time, give me patience. If it requires boundaries, give me wisdom. Help me to do my part to live at peace, trusting You with the outcome.
In Jesus’ Reconciling Name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.