Scripture calls for repair where relationships rupture: be reconciled to thy brother (Matthew 5:23-24), live peaceably as much as lieth in you (Romans 12:18), forbearing and forgiving (Colossians 3:13), and covering offenses with love (Proverbs 17:9). Not every bond is restored the same way—but God cares about peace and repentance.
A broken relationship—friendship, romance, or family tension—hurts deeply. These twelve King James passages focus on reconciliation, soft answers, and peacemaking after a rupture—distinct from our broken-heart page, which centers on God's nearness to the crushed in spirit.
Seek reconciliation
1. Matthew 5:23-24
"Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."
First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Worship waits on making things right when possible.
2. Matthew 18:15
"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."
If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. Private, direct conversation is the first step.
3. Luke 17:3-4
"Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him."
If thy brother trespass… rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him—even seven times in a day. Repentance and forgiveness work together.
4. 2 Corinthians 5:18
"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;"
God… hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. Believers carry a reconciling calling because God reconciled us in Christ.
Forgive and cover offenses
5. Colossians 3:13
"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another… even as Christ forgave you. Repair requires patience and Christlike forgiveness.
6. Ephesians 4:31-32
"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Put away bitterness… and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. Bitterness keeps the break open; kindness softens it.
7. Proverbs 17:9
"He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends."
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. Love covers; gossip widens the rupture.
8. James 5:16
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. Honest confession and prayer aid relational healing.
Pursue peace wisely
9. Romans 12:18
"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Peace is pursued as far as it depends on you—not forced where the other will not.
10. Proverbs 18:19
"A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle."
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city. Broken trust takes time; wisdom does not rush or ignore the wound.
11. Galatians 6:1
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."
If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness. Restoration is gentle, not harsh.
12. Proverbs 27:6
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Truthful friends may wound to heal; flattery does not repair.
A short prayer
Father, where my relationships are broken, give me humility to seek peace, courage to confess, and grace to forgive as Christ forgave me. Heal what I cannot fix alone. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
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Frequently asked questions
What Bible verse helps a broken relationship?
Matthew 5:23-24, Romans 12:18, Colossians 3:13, and Ephesians 4:31-32 are often shared for repair and peacemaking.
How is this different from broken-heart verses?
Broken-heart pages comfort the crushed spirit. This page focuses on repairing a ruptured friendship or romance through reconciliation and forgiveness.
Does the Bible say every relationship can be fixed?
Romans 12:18 says live peaceably "if it be possible, as much as lieth in you." You pursue peace; you cannot control the other person's response.
Should I confront someone who hurt me?
Matthew 18:15 encourages going privately first. Galatians 6:1 adds meekness when restoring someone overtaken in a fault.
This page is for spiritual encouragement and is not medical or mental-health advice. If you are struggling, please talk to a doctor, pastor, or licensed counselor. In the US you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses for a broken heart · Bible verses about forgiveness · Bible verses about friendship · Bible verses about relationship · Bible verses about love and relationship
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