Disunion, in a biblical context, refers to the division or separation among individuals, groups, or nations, often resulting in conflict, strife, or a breakdown of unity. The Bible addresses the theme of disunion in various contexts, emphasizing the importance of unity among God's people and the consequences of division.

Old Testament Instances

1. Tower of Babel: One of the earliest examples of disunion is found in Genesis 11:1-9, where humanity's attempt to build a tower to reach the heavens led to God confusing their language, resulting in their scattering across the earth. This event highlights how pride and self-reliance can lead to division. The Berean Standard Bible states, "So the LORD scattered them from there over the face of all the earth, and they stopped building the city" (Genesis 11:8).

2. Division of Israel: The kingdom of Israel experienced significant disunion after the reign of Solomon, leading to the division into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah (1 Kings 12). This division was a result of political, social, and spiritual factors, including idolatry and rebellion against God's commandments.

3. Tribal Conflicts: Throughout the Old Testament, there are numerous accounts of tribal conflicts and disunity among the Israelites. For example, the conflict between the tribes of Ephraim and Gilead in Judges 12:1-6 illustrates how internal strife can weaken a nation.

New Testament Teachings

1. Jesus on Division: Jesus Christ addressed the issue of disunion, particularly in the context of His mission and the response it would provoke. In Matthew 10:34-36, Jesus states, "Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword" . This passage indicates that the message of the Gospel would cause division even among close family members, as individuals would have to choose between following Christ and maintaining earthly relationships.

2. Unity in the Church: The New Testament emphasizes the importance of unity within the body of Christ. The Apostle Paul frequently addressed issues of disunion in the early church, urging believers to maintain unity through love and humility. In Ephesians 4:3, Paul writes, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" . This call to unity is foundational for the church's witness to the world.

3. Warnings Against Division: The New Testament also contains warnings against those who cause division within the church. In Romans 16:17, Paul advises, "Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them" . Such warnings underscore the destructive nature of disunion and the need for vigilance in preserving doctrinal purity and communal harmony.

Theological Implications

Disunion is often portrayed in Scripture as a consequence of sin and human fallibility. It serves as a reminder of the need for reliance on God and adherence to His commandments to maintain unity. The biblical narrative consistently points to the ideal of unity among God's people, reflecting the unity within the Trinity and the ultimate reconciliation of all things in Christ. The church is called to be a model of this unity, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel in overcoming divisions and fostering peace.1. (n.) A separation or disjunction of relations or interests; as, the disunion of the body and the soul.

2. (n.) A breach of concord and its effect; alienation.

3. (n.) The termination or disruption of the union of the States forming the United States.

1370. dichostasia -- standing apart, dissension
... division, sedition. From a derivative of dis and stasis; disunion, ie (figuratively)
dissension -- division, sedition. see GREEK dis. see GREEK stasis. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1370.htm - 7k

139. hairesis -- choice, opinion
... heresy, sect. From haireomai; properly, a choice, ie (specially) a party or (abstractly)
disunion -- heresy (which is the Greek word itself), sect. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/139.htm - 7k

1267. diamerismos -- a division
... division. From diamerizo; disunion (of opinion and conduct) -- division. see GREEK
diamerizo. (diamerismon) -- 1 Occurrence. 1266, 1267. diamerismos. 1268 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1267.htm - 6k

A Divided Heart
... be divided against himself, even he must fall, and assuredly this must be the case
with those who lack that craft which might tend to overcome disunion. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a divided heart.htm

Whether Discord is a Daughter of Vainglory?
... I answer that, Discord denotes a certain disunion of wills, in so far, to wit, as
one man's will holds fast to one thing, while the other man's will holds fast ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether discord is a daughter.htm

The Essential Unity of the Kingdom.
... between themselves. Then one Church usurped an authority over other Churches,
provoking in course of time further disunion. And ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter viii the essential unity.htm

The Last Discourses of Christ - the Prayer of Consecration.
... And this - although epigrammatic sayings are so often fallacious - may be
summarised in these three words: Union, Communion, Disunion. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the last discourses.htm

The Division Between East and West
... [Sidenote: Beginnings of disunion.] Western dioceses, now peopled by the barbarian
nations who had overrun Europe, still looked up to Rome as their centre and ...
/.../a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter ix the division between.htm

Innocent iii
... other. And this state of disunion was not the most dangerous feature of
the moment. The moral condition of Europe was seldom worse. ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter ix innocent iii.htm

The Lord's Supper
... inseparably. Where there are divisions, the Lord's supper is not properly
a communion but a disunion. What is the Lord's supper? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 5 the lords supper.htm

James iv. 1, 2
... This conflict, which leads to no decisive result, and leaves man in unreconciled
disunion with himself, is described by Paul in the seventh chapter of his ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james iv 1 2.htm

The Seven Deacons
... truth; and he sought to take advantage of former habits of thought, in the hope
that thereby he might be able to introduce into the church elements of disunion ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 9 the seven deacons.htm

The End.
... Christ. For God, the discerner of all men's hearts, is our witness that
we do not delight and have no joy in this awful disunion. ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 37 the end.htm

Disunion (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A separation or disjunction of relations or interests;
as, the disunion of the body and the soul. ...Disunion (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/disunion.htm - 7k

Division (135 Occurrences)
... distinct segment or section. 4. (n.) Disunion; difference in opinion or feeling;
discord; variance; alienation. 5. (n.) Difference of ...
/d/division.htm - 39k

Welfare (32 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 12:25 that there might be no disunion in the body, but that all the
members might entertain the same anxious care for one another's welfare. ...
/w/welfare.htm - 16k

Entertain (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 12:25 that there might be no disunion in the body, but that all the
members might entertain the same anxious care for one another's welfare. ...
/e/entertain.htm - 12k

Discord (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 12:25 that there might be no disunion in the body, but that all the
members might entertain the same anxious care for one another's welfare. ...
/d/discord.htm - 8k

Disuse (1 Occurrence)

/d/disuse.htm - 7k

Disturbing (5 Occurrences)

/d/disturbing.htm - 8k

Divorce (18 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The decree or writing by which marriage is dissolved. 4. (n.) Separation;
disunion of things closely united. 5. (n.) That which separates. ...
/d/divorce.htm - 41k

Macedonia (23 Occurrences)
... Perdiccas II and Archelaus, did much to consolidate Macedonian power, but the death
of Archelaus (399 BC) was followed by 40 years of disunion and weakness. ...
/m/macedonia.htm - 40k

Another's (28 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 12:25 that there might be no disunion in the body, but that all the
members might entertain the same anxious care for one another's welfare. ...
/a/another's.htm - 14k

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