Lexical Summary diamerismos: Division, dissension Original Word: διαμερισμός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance division. From diamerizo; disunion (of opinion and conduct) -- division. see GREEK diamerizo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom diamerizó Definition a division NASB Translation division (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1267: διαμερισμόςδιαμερισμός, διαμερισμου, ὁ (διαμερίζω), division; 1. a parting, distribution: Plato, legg. 6, p. 771 d.; Diodorus 11, 47; Josephus, Antiquities 10, 11, 7; the Sept. Ezekiel 48:29; Micah 7:12. 2. disunion, dissension: opposite εἰρήνη, Luke 12:51; see διαμερίζω, 1. Strong’s Greek 1267 (διαμερισμός) appears once in the Greek New Testament, Luke 12:51. The term speaks of a state of separation or disunion that arises among people. While infrequent in form, the concept it conveys—division resulting from allegiance to, or rejection of, God’s revealed truth—runs through both Testaments. Immediate Literary Context (Luke 12:51) Jesus’ question, “Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division” (Luke 12:51), falls within a larger discourse that stresses readiness for His return (Luke 12:35-59). He warns the crowds that the kingdom’s arrival does not guarantee social tranquility; instead, His presence forces a crisis of decision that fractures even the most intimate relationships (Luke 12:52-53). The single-use noun captures the inevitable clash between the values of the kingdom and the values of the world. Canonical Echoes of the Theme 1. Old Testament anticipation: Simeon’s prophecy that the Christ Child would cause “the fall and rise of many in Israel … so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35) echoes Isaiah 8:14-15, where the Lord is both sanctuary and stone of stumbling. Theological Significance • Christ the Divider and Unifier: Scripture consistently presents Jesus as the only mediator who reconciles sinners to God (1 Timothy 2:5), yet His exclusive claims inevitably divide those who believe from those who refuse. Historical Reception Early church fathers such as Tertullian and Athanasius cited Luke 12:51 to explain persecution and familial estrangement faced by converts. During the Reformation, reformers appealed to this verse to defend schism from institutions that, in their view, had departed from apostolic faith. Throughout missions history, testimonies of converts ostracized by relatives illustrate the continuing relevance of διαμερισμός. Ministry Application • Pastoral Preparation: Leaders should prepare new believers for relational tensions that may follow conversion, offering support grounded in the promise that Christ is worth the cost (Philippians 3:8). Summary Strong’s 1267 encapsulates the unavoidable division the presence of Jesus brings. Though used only once, the word crystallizes a pervasive biblical truth: acceptance or rejection of Christ determines the deepest of human separations now and the ultimate separation or union in eternity. |
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