7031 unity, God’s goal of

God’s purpose is to bring together and reconcile to himself the whole of creation. This desire for unity is a reflection of the unity within the Godhead; it is expressed in marriage, and demonstrated in the fellowship of the church.

Unity is a reflection of God’s person

Dt 6:4; Jn 17:22 See also Mk 12:29,32; Jn 1:1; Jn 17:11; Gal 3:20; 1Jn 5:7

Alienation is a result of sin

Alienation from God Ge 3:8,23-24; Isa 59:2; Eze 28:16; Jas 4:4

Alienation from one another Ge 4:7-9,23-24; Ge 6:11; Jas 4:1-2; Jude 19

God’s purpose in unity

To bring together all peoples Ps 133:1; Eph 1:9-10

To unite all peoples under his rule Zec 14:9 See also Ge 49:10; Ps 72:8-11; Isa 2:2-4 pp Mic 4:1-3; Jn 10:16; Php 2:9-11; Rev 11:15

To unite all peoples in worship Isa 19:23-25 See also Ps 86:9; Isa 56:6-8; Zec 8:20-23; Zec 14:16; Mk 11:17; Rev 15:4

To bring reconciliation between Jew and Gentile Eph 2:11-19 See also Isa 14:1; Ro 10:12; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11

To bring reconciliation among his people Jer 50:4 See also Isa 11:10-13; Eze 37:21-24; Mic 2:12; Mt 5:24; Php 4:2

To reconcile humanity to himself Col 1:19-22 See also Ro 5:10-11; 2Co 5:18-19; Heb 10:19-20

Expressions of unity brought by God

Unity between husband and wife Ge 2:24 See also Mal 2:15; Mt 19:5-6 pp Mk 10:7-8; 1Co 6:16; 1Co 7:4,10-11

Marriage as an expression of unity between God and his people Jer 2:2; Eph 5:31-32 See also Isa 54:5; Jer 31:32; Hos 2:16; Jn 3:29; Rev 19:7; Rev 21:2,9

Unity within the church Jn 17:21 See also Ac 2:1; Ac 4:32; 1Co 1:10; 1Co 10:17; 1Co 12:12; Eph 4:13

See also