Lexicon hairesis: Sect, faction, heresy Original Word: αἵρεσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance heresy, sect. From haireomai; properly, a choice, i.e. (specially) a party or (abstractly) disunion -- heresy (which is the Greek word itself), sect. see GREEK haireomai HELPS Word-studies 139 haíresis (a feminine noun derived from 138 /hairéomai, "personally select, choose") – properly, a personal (decisive) choice. 139 /haíresis ("a strong, distinctive opinion") is used in the NT of individual "parties (sects)" that operated within Judaism. The term stresses the personal aspect of choice – and hence how being a Sadducee (Ac 5:17) was sharply distinguished from being a Pharisee (Ac 15:5; 26:5). [As a feminine noun, 139 (haíresis) highlights the subjective (individual) nature of a specific (divisive) opinion.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom haireó Definition choice, opinion NASB Translation factions (2), heresies (1), sect (6). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 139: αἵρεσιςαἵρεσις, (εως, ἡ; 1. (from αἱρέω), act of taking, capture: τῆς πόλεως, the storming of a city; in secular authors. 2. (from ἁιρέομαι), choosing, choice, very often in secular writings: the Sept. Leviticus 22:18; 1 Macc. 8:30. 3. that which is chosen, a chosen course of thought and action; hence one's chosen opinion, tenet; according to the context, an opinion varying from the true exposition of the Christian faith (heresy): 2 Peter 2:1 (cf. DeWette at the passage), and in ecclesiastical writings (cf. Sophocles' Lexicon, under the word). 4. a body of men separating themselves from others and following their own tenets (a sect or party): as the Sadducees, Acts 5:17; the Pharisees, Acts 15:5; Acts 26:5; the Christians, Acts 24:5, 14 (in both instances with a suggestion of reproach); 5. dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aims: Galatians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 11:19. (Cf. Meyer, at the passages cited; B. D. American edition under the word Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for αἵρεσις, the concept of division or sect can be related to terms like מַחֲלֹקֶת (machloqeth, Strong's Hebrew 4256), meaning "division" or "dispute," and קָט (qat, Strong's Hebrew 6984), meaning "small" or "insignificant," often used in the context of a small group or faction. Usage: In the New Testament, αἵρεσις is used to describe groups or factions, particularly those that deviate from orthodox teachings. It is often translated as "sect" or "heresy." Context: The term αἵρεσις appears several times in the New Testament, reflecting its evolution from a neutral term for a choice or party to a more negative connotation of division or heretical group. In the context of the early Christian church, αἵρεσις was used to describe groups that held beliefs contrary to the apostolic teachings. Englishman's Concordance Acts 5:17 N-NFSGRK: ἡ οὖσα αἵρεσις τῶν Σαδδουκαίων NAS: his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), KJV: is the sect of the Sadducees,) INT: which is [the] sect of the Sadducees Acts 15:5 N-GFS Acts 24:5 N-GFS Acts 24:14 N-AFS Acts 26:5 N-AFS Acts 28:22 N-GFS 1 Corinthians 11:19 N-NFP Galatians 5:20 N-NFP 2 Peter 2:1 N-AFP Strong's Greek 139 |
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