Bible Verses on Family Unity and Flourishing
The Bible emphasizes the importance of family unity and flourishing throughout its teachings. In Psalms 133:1, the psalmist writes, "See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!" [1]. This verse highlights the value of harmony within families.
Family unity is closely tied to the concept of flourishing. In Psalm 128, the psalmist describes the blessings that come to those who fear the Lord and live in obedience to Him, including prosperity and a fruitful family life [3]. The Psalm notes that the man who fears the Lord "shall be blessed" and that "thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine" (Ps 128:3-4) [1]. This imagery conveys the idea that a family that is united in its devotion to God will experience flourishing.
The New Testament also addresses the topic of family unity. In Matthew 12:50, Jesus says, "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother" [4]. This statement expands the concept of family beyond biological ties, emphasizing the unity that exists among those who follow God's will.
The early Church Fathers interpreted these biblical teachings on family unity and flourishing. Augustine, in his Exposition on Psalms, reflects on the fleeting nature of human flourishing, using the metaphor of grass that withers under the sun's heat (Ps 103:15-16) [5]. He contrasts this with the enduring nature of God's mercy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook compiles various biblical references related to family unity, including the importance of living in unity (Ge 45:24; Ps 133:1), mutual forbearance (Ge 50:17-21; Mt 18:21,22), and worshiping God together (1Co 16:19) [2]. These references underscore the biblical emphasis on cultivating harmony and cooperation within families.
The biblical concept of family flourishing encompasses not only material prosperity but also spiritual well-being. Psalm 68:6 notes that God "setteth the solitary in families," indicating His role in establishing and blessing families [8]. This verse is seen as a promise of fruitfulness and increase for those who are united in marriage.
In Proverbs, the importance of family love and peace is highlighted as essential to a comfortable and fulfilling life (Proverbs 17) [6]. Matthew Henry's commentary on this passage emphasizes that living in unity and quietness can bring comfort even in the midst of hardship.
The biblical teachings on family unity and flourishing are thus multifaceted, encompassing both the spiritual and material aspects of family life. By living in obedience to God's will and in harmony with one another, families can experience the blessings of unity and flourishing.
The patristic interpretation of flourishing as a spiritual concept is also noteworthy. Augustine's commentary on Psalm 54 contrasts the flourishing of believers with the withering of their adversaries, highlighting the eschatological dimension of flourishing [7].
Sources
- Psalms “See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! -- Psalms 133:1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Families — Of saints blessed -- Ps 128:3-6. Should Be taught the Scriptures. -- De 4:9,10. Worship God together. -- 1Co 16:19. Be duly regulated. -- Pr 31:27; 1Ti 3:4,5,12. Live in unity. -- Ge 45:24; Ps 133:1. Live in mutual forbearance. -- Ge 50:17-21; Mt 18:21,22. Rejoice together before God. -- De 14:26. Deceivers and liars should be removed from -- Ps 101:7. Warning against departing from God -- De 29:18. Punishment of irreligious -- Jer 10:25. Good -- Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 18:19. Jacob. -- Ge 35:2. Joshua. -- Jos 24:15. David. -- 2Sa 6:20. Job. -- Job 1:5.”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 128 (introduction): This, as the former, is a psalm for families. In that we were taught that the prosperity of our families depends upon the blessing of God; in this we are taught that the only way to obtain that blessing which will make our families comfortable is to live in the fear of God and in obedience to him. Those that do so, in general, shall be blessed (Psa 128:1, Psa 128:2, Psa 128:4), In particular, I. They shall be prosperous and successful in their employments (Psa 128:2). II. Their relations shall be agreeable (Psa 128:3). III. They shall live to see the”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 12:50: For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother--that is, "There stand here the members of a family transcending and surviving this of earth: Filial subjection to the will of My Father in heaven is the indissoluble bond of union between Me and all its members; and whosoever enters this hallowed circle becomes to Me brother, and sister, and mother!" Next: Matthew Chapter 13”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM CIII.(4) (part 14): a very short space dried up? Why is the 509 grass proud that flourisheth only for a brief season, until the sun be hot? It is then good for us that His mercy be upon us, and from grass make gold. "For he flourisheth as a flower of the field." The whole splendour of the human race; honour, powers, riches, pride, threats, is the flower of the grass. That house flourisheth, and that family it great, that family flourisheth; and how many flourish, and how many years do they live! Many years to thee, are but a short season un”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 17 (introduction): These words recommend family-love and peace, as conducing very much to the comfort of human life. 1. Those that live in unity and quietness, not only free from jealousies and animosities, but vying in mutual endearments, and obliging to one another, live very comfortably, though they are low in the world, work hard and fare hard, though they have but each of them a morsel, and that a dry morsel. There may be peace and quietness where there are not three meals a day, provided there by a joint satisfaction in God's providence and a mutual satisfaction”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM LIV.[5] (part 2): 206 stand the Psalm. Let us find here at first David hiding, and we shall find his adversaries flourishing. Observe David hiding: "For ye are dead," saith the Apostle to the members of Christ," and your life is hid with Christ in God."[1] These men, therefore, that are hiding, when shall they be flourishing? "When Christ," he saith, "your life, shall have appeared, then ye also with Him shall appear in glory."[2] When these men shall be flourishing, then shall be those Ziphites withering. For observe to what flower their g”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 68:6: God setteth the solitary in families,.... Which the Jewish writers generally understand of an increase of families, with children in lawful marriage; see Psa 113:9; an instance of which we have in Abraham and Sarah; from which single or solitary ones, when joined in marriage, sprung a numerous offspring, Isa 51:2. And to this sense the Targum paraphrases the words; "God is he that joins, couples single ones into a couple, as one:'' some copies add, "to build an house out of them;'' that is, a family; see Rut 4:11. But it may be better interpreted of the fruitf”