Irreconcilable
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The term "irreconcilable" refers to a state of being unable to restore harmony or agreement between parties. In a biblical context, it often pertains to relationships or situations where reconciliation seems impossible due to hardened hearts, persistent sin, or unyielding differences. The Bible addresses the concept of irreconcilability in various ways, emphasizing the importance of reconciliation while acknowledging human limitations.

Biblical Context and Usage

The Bible consistently calls for reconciliation and peace among individuals. However, it also recognizes that there are instances where reconciliation may not be achieved due to the unwillingness of one or both parties to forgive or repent. In Matthew 18:15-17 , Jesus provides a process for addressing sin within the church, ultimately leading to treating an unrepentant individual "as you would a pagan or a tax collector" if reconciliation cannot be achieved. This passage highlights the seriousness of unresolved conflict but also the necessity of maintaining the purity and unity of the church.

Irreconcilability and Sin

Irreconcilability is often linked to sin, particularly when individuals refuse to repent or forgive. In Romans 1:31 , Paul describes those who are "senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless," indicating a state of being irreconcilable due to a hardened heart. Such individuals are characterized by an unwillingness to seek peace or restoration, which is contrary to the Christian call to love and forgiveness.

The Role of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a central theme in the Bible and is essential for reconciliation. Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:14-15 , "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours." This underscores the importance of forgiveness in overcoming irreconcilability. However, forgiveness does not always result in reconciliation, especially if the other party remains unrepentant.

Divine Reconciliation

While human relationships may sometimes reach a point of irreconcilability, the Bible assures believers of the possibility of reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 , Paul writes, "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." This divine reconciliation serves as the ultimate model and motivation for believers to pursue reconciliation with others.

Practical Implications for Believers

Believers are called to strive for peace and reconciliation in all relationships, as far as it depends on them (Romans 12:18). This involves a willingness to forgive, seek forgiveness, and engage in honest communication. However, when reconciliation is not possible, believers are encouraged to entrust the situation to God, who is the ultimate judge and reconciler. The pursuit of reconciliation reflects the heart of the Gospel and the transformative power of God's love in the lives of His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(a.) Not reconcilable; implacable; incompatible; inconsistent; disagreeing; as, irreconcilable enemies, statements.
Greek
786. aspondos -- without libation, ie without truce, hence ...
... prefix) and sponde (a libation) Definition without libation, ie without truce,
hence admitting of no truce NASB Word Usage irreconcilable (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/786.htm - 7k

2190. echthros -- hostile
... inflicting (). [2190 () describes a person resolved to inflict harm (see , Vol
1, 553) -- ie driven by irreconcilable, deep-rooted .]. Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2190.htm - 7k

Library

The Arrest of Christ. --Peter's Haste, and Its Reproof. --The ...
... Discrepancies, even if irreconcilable in points of detail, do not impeach the veracity
of the essential features of a narrative; but in this case they are not ...
/.../section 281 the arrest of.htm

When Christ Ate the Passover.
... the Jews refuse to enter the presence chamber of Pilate lest they should be so defiled
that they could not eat the passover, a passage irreconcilable with the ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/when christ ate the passover.htm

Grundtvig's Hymns
... In real life there could be no more fundamental, no farther reaching contrast than
the continuous and irreconcilable difference between life and death. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter fifteen grundtvigs hymns.htm

1 John iii. 4-7
... He then proceeds to show, how irreconcilable is the tendency here rebuked with the
nature of faith in Jesus, as the Lord and Saviour; that this faith cannot ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john iii 7-apr.htm

Do are Then Make Void the Law through Faith? God Forbid; Yea, we ...
... naked law, and irrespective of the gospel I say, sinners, naturally and necessarily,
and of right, under such circumstances, view God as an irreconcilable enemy ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/do are then make void.htm

Christ and Man in the Atonement
... It is the recognition of this divine necessity " not to forgive, but to forgive
in a way which shows that God is irreconcilable to evil, and can never treat ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/denney/the death of christ/chapter 9 christ and man.htm

Christ and Man in the Atonement
... It is the recognition of this divine necessity"not to forgive, but to forgive in
a way which shows that God is irreconcilable to evil, and can never treat it ...
/.../denney/the atonement and the modern mind/chapter iii christ and man.htm

Persecution Every Christian's Lot
... things? Ever since the fall, there has been a irreconcilable enmity between
the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. Wicked ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/persecution every christians lot.htm

The Doubting Soul More Particularly Assisted in Its Inquiries as ...
... And is it an irreconcilable war which you determine, by divine grace, to push
on till you have entirely conquered it, or die in the attempt? ...
/.../chapter xiii the doubting soul.htm

The Peter of History and the Peter of Fiction.
... Peter's conduct on that occasion is irreconcilable with his infallibility as to
discipline; Paul's conduct is irreconcilable with Peter's alleged supremacy ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 26 the peter of.htm

Thesaurus
Irreconcilable (1 Occurrence)
... (a.) Not reconcilable; implacable; incompatible; inconsistent; disagreeing; as,
irreconcilable enemies, statements. ...Irreconcilable (1 Occurrence). ...
/i/irreconcilable.htm - 6k

Levites (267 Occurrences)
... The Chronicler is declared to be in constant and irreconcilable conflict with the
older authorities, harmonistic explanations are uniformly rejected, the ...
/l/levites.htm - 72k

Irrational (3 Occurrences)

/i/irrational.htm - 7k

Irreligion (1 Occurrence)

/i/irreligion.htm - 6k

Temples (17 Occurrences)
... (hierosuloi; the King James Version "robbers of churches," Acts 19:37): To explain
this as "sacrilegious persons" is irreconcilable with the contrast in Romans ...
/t/temples.htm - 13k

Robbers (21 Occurrences)
... (hierosuloi; the King James Version "robbers of churches," Acts 19:37): To explain
this as "sacrilegious persons" is irreconcilable with the contrast in Romans ...
/r/robbers.htm - 14k

Priests (451 Occurrences)
... The Chronicler is declared to be in constant and irreconcilable conflict with the
older authorities, harmonistic explanations are uniformly rejected, the ...
/p/priests.htm - 69k

Herodians (3 Occurrences)
... Whatever their political aims, they early perceived that Christ's pure and spiritual
teaching on the kingdom of God was irreconcilable with these, and that ...
/h/herodians.htm - 9k

Arrest (22 Occurrences)
... it is sometimes difficult to decide exactly as to the best way of harmonizing the
different accounts, yet there is nothing irreconcilable or contradictory in ...
/a/arrest.htm - 45k

Trial (45 Occurrences)
... it is sometimes difficult to decide exactly as to the best way of harmonizing the
different accounts, yet there is nothing irreconcilable or contradictory in ...
/t/trial.htm - 52k

Resources
What is the difference between Christianity and Islam? | GotQuestions.org

What is compatibilism? | GotQuestions.org

What is religious pluralism? | GotQuestions.org

Irreconcilable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Irreconcilable (1 Occurrence)

2 Timothy 3:3
without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Irreconcilable

Related Terms

Irreligious (7 Occurrences)

Irreconcilable (1 Occurrence)

Irrational Fear
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