Estrangement, in a biblical context, refers to the state of being alienated or separated from God, others, or oneself. This concept is deeply rooted in the narrative of Scripture, illustrating the spiritual and relational divides that sin creates.

Estrangement from God

The Bible presents estrangement from God as a fundamental consequence of sin. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve's disobedience led to their separation from God, symbolized by their expulsion from the garden (Genesis 3:23-24). This act of disobedience introduced sin into the world, creating a chasm between humanity and God. Isaiah 59:2 articulates this separation: "But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear."

Throughout Scripture, the theme of estrangement from God is evident in the lives of individuals and nations. The Israelites, despite being chosen by God, often found themselves estranged due to idolatry and disobedience. The prophets frequently called them to repentance, urging them to return to God and mend the broken relationship (Jeremiah 3:12-14).

Estrangement from Others

Estrangement is not limited to the divine-human relationship; it also affects human relationships. The Bible provides numerous examples of interpersonal estrangement, often resulting from sin, jealousy, or betrayal. The account of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 illustrates how sin leads to estrangement and violence between brothers. Cain's jealousy and subsequent murder of Abel highlight the destructive power of sin in human relationships.

The New Testament addresses estrangement among believers, emphasizing reconciliation and unity. In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus instructs His followers to seek reconciliation with others before offering gifts at the altar: "Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."

Estrangement from Oneself

Estrangement can also manifest as an internal conflict, where individuals feel alienated from their true selves. This internal division is often a result of sin and the fallen nature of humanity. The Apostle Paul describes this struggle in Romans 7:15-20, where he speaks of the conflict between his desire to do good and the sin that dwells within him.

Reconciliation through Christ

The Bible offers hope for overcoming estrangement through reconciliation with God and others. Central to this message is the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Christ bridges the gap between humanity and God, offering forgiveness and restoring the broken relationship. Colossians 1:21-22 states, "Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds because of your evil deeds. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence."

Believers are called to be agents of reconciliation, extending the grace they have received to others. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 emphasizes this 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 men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation."

Estrangement, while a pervasive theme in the Bible, is met with the promise of reconciliation and restoration through faith in Jesus Christ.(n.) The act of estranging, or the state of being estranged; alienation.2214. zara -- loathsome thing
... loathsome. From zuwr (in the sense of estrangement) (compare zarah); disgust --
loathsome. see HEBREW zuwr. see HEBREW zarah. 2213, 2214. zara. 2215 . ...
/hebrew/2214.htm - 6k

1 John v. 19, 20
... As The True, John designates him who alone is to be called God. The world
knows him not, is in a state of estrangement from him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john v 19 20.htm

April 15:
... 15-Apr. April 15th. If sin is estrangement from God, this very estrangement is
Death. It is a want of correspondence. If sin is selfishness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/april 15 0.htm

Of Four Kinds of Fever Wherewith a Man May be Tormented
... In some men this fever of fickleness may produce the quartan fever; that is, an
estrangement from God and from themselves and from truth and from all virtues. ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xxxii of four kinds.htm

1 John ii. 1, 2
... of the chasm, between himself in his sin and imperfection and the holy and perfect
God, sinks under the feeling of separation and estrangement from that Being ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john ii 1 2.htm

The Glory of the Cross
... The latter know it by the name of sin. But what is sin save the conscious alienation
and estrangement of man from the Divine Life which is in him? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beibitz/gloria crucis/i the glory of the.htm

Introduction.
... But since religion, on the contrary, represents men as in a state of darkness, and
of estrangement from God; since it affirms him to have withdrawn himself ...
/.../introduction.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... see, belongs to the West, and its relations to the East, although no formal schism
had occurred, are of continued and increasing estrangement or alienation. ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

Impressive Phrases
... developed, revealed, measured, and tested. difference, disagreement, discord,
and estrangement. difficult, arduous, intricate, and perplexing. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

The Same Subject Continued.
... This estrangement, this disgust with nature, haunts her wherever she goes, even
in the making of her toilet, even in the employment of her time. ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter viii the same subject.htm

Good Works the Light of the World
... so the good works of believers are the light that streams out from them to conquer
the surrounding darkness, with its ignorance of God and estrangement from Him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/ii good works the light.htm

Estrangement (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act of estranging, or the state of being estranged;
alienation. Multi-Version Concordance Estrangement (1 Occurrence). ...
/e/estrangement.htm - 6k

Forgiveness (124 Occurrences)
... necessarily more complete. It results in the complete removal of all
estrangement and alienation between God and man. It restores ...
/f/forgiveness.htm - 68k

Estranged (12 Occurrences)

/e/estranged.htm - 10k

Estrangeth (1 Occurrence)

/e/estrangeth.htm - 6k

Palti (2 Occurrences)
... by Moses (Numbers 13:9), representing Benjamin in the expedition (13:9). (2) The
man to whom Saul gave Michal, David's wife, after the estrangement (1 Samuel 25 ...
/p/palti.htm - 7k

Alienation (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A withdrawing or estrangement, as of
the affections. 2. (n.) Mental alienation; derangement of ...
/a/alienation.htm - 7k

Country
... Whatever the cause, it led to a wider estrangement and a deeper bitterness. For
the history of the people and their temple on Gerizim, see SAMARITANS. ...
/c/country.htm - 23k

Jonathan (109 Occurrences)
... his life. The estrangement was momentary; Saul and Jonathan were undivided
in life and in death (2 Samuel 1:23 to be so read). 5 ...
/j/jonathan.htm - 59k

Samaria (123 Occurrences)
... Whatever the cause, it led to a wider estrangement and a deeper bitterness. For
the history of the people and their temple on Gerizim, see SAMARITANS. ...
/s/samaria.htm - 63k

Sacrifice (300 Occurrences)
... 2. Reconciliation: The idea of reconciliation involves a personal difference
between two parties. There is estrangement between God and man. ...
/s/sacrifice.htm - 101k

What does the Bible say about estrangement? | GotQuestions.org

What is Christian reconciliation? Why do we need to be reconciled with God? | GotQuestions.org

What is alienation? What does it mean that we are alienated from God? | GotQuestions.org

Estrangement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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