What does the Bible say about families broken?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible acknowledges the deep pain of broken families, calls believers to pursue forgiveness and faithful love, and points them to God’s sustaining grace and final restoration in Christ. Psalm 34:18 assures the brokenhearted that the Lord is near, while 1 Peter 5:7 invites them to cast every anxiety on Him. Scripture recognizes that allegiance to Christ can bring painful division even within households, as Matthew 10:35-37 and Luke 14:26 teach. Yet Colossians 3:13 commands patient forgiveness where repentance and reconciliation are possible, and Ephesians 6:4 calls parents to nurture children in the Lord. God equips His people for spiritual conflict in Ephesians 6:10-18 and promises that sorrow will not have the final word in Revelation 21:4.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Ephesians 6:10-18

    [10] Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; [16] above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; [18] with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints:

  • 1 Peter 5:7

    casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

  • Matthew 8:20-23

    [20] Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." [21] Another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father." [22] But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead." [23] When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him.

  • Luke 14:26

    "If anyone comes to me, and doesn't hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can't be my disciple.

  • Psalms 34:18

    Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves those who have a crushed spirit.

  • Revelation 21:4

    He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away."

  • Matthew 10:35-37

    [35] For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. [36] A man's foes will be those of his own household. [37] He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me.

  • Colossians 3:13

    bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:1

    For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.

  • Ephesians 6:4

    You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

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