Lexical Summary 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 Strong’s Greek 139 (hairesis) describes a deliberate choice that organizes around a distinctive viewpoint. In Greco-Roman usage it could name a philosophical school; in the New Testament it designates a religious “party,” and, in later apostolic writing, a doctrinal departure so serious that it endangers the gospel itself. Occurrences in Scripture Acts 5:17; Acts 15:5; Acts 24:5, 14; Acts 26:5; Acts 28:22; 1 Corinthians 11:19; Galatians 5:20; 2 Peter 2:1. Historical Background First-century Judaism was already divided into Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes, each called a hairesis by contemporary historians. Luke carries that vocabulary into Acts to describe both Jewish parties and the emerging church. As the gospel spread, outsiders labeled the followers of Jesus a “sect” (Acts 24:5). Paul does not reject the word itself (Acts 24:14) but clarifies that the Way fulfills rather than abandons the Law and the Prophets. Neutral and Positive Uses in Acts 1. Internal Jewish divisions: “some believers from the sect of the Pharisees” (Acts 15:5). These passages show that “sect” could be a simple sociological label without moral judgment. Shift to Negative Sense in the Epistles Paul and Peter apply hairesis to divisive teaching inside local assemblies. Doctrinal Significance The progression from neutral to pejorative reveals the apostolic concern for sound doctrine. Whereas the label could once describe legitimate varieties within Judaism, inside the body of Christ it now signals teaching that fractures fellowship or corrupts the gospel. Scripture therefore distinguishes between secondary preferences and fundamental departures. The church must test every teaching against the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) lest a faction become a heresy. Implications for Church Unity 1. Unity is grounded in revealed truth, not mere institutional togetherness (Ephesians 4:3–6). Pastoral and Ministry Application • Guard the pulpit and classroom: “hold firmly to the trustworthy message” (Titus 1:9). Summary Hairesis reminds the church that choice matters. Choosing Christ unites; choosing self-made doctrine divides. The same term that once described competing schools now warns of any teaching that rebels against apostolic truth. Fidelity to Scripture preserves both the purity of the gospel and the harmony of God’s people. 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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