Lexical Summary eris: Strife, discord, contention Original Word: ἔρις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance contention, debate, strife Of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, i.e. (by implication) wrangling -- contention, debate, strife, variance. HELPS Word-studies 2054 éris(a primitive word, NAS dictionary) – literally quarrel, strife; properly, a readiness to quarrel (having a contentious spirit), affection for dispute. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition strife NASB Translation quarrels (1), strife (8). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2054: ἔριςἔρις, ἔριδος, ἡ, accusative ἔριν (Philippians 1:15), pl. ἔριδες (1 Corinthians 1:11) and ἐρεῖς (2 Corinthians 12:20 (R G Tr text; Galatians 5:20 R G WH marginal reading); Titus 3:9 (R G L Tr); see (WHs Appendix, p. 157); Lob. ad Phryn., p. 326; Matthiae, § 80 note 8; Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr., p. 191f; (Winers Grammar, 65 (63); Buttmann, 24 (22))); contention, strife, wrangling: Romans 1:29; Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:20; Philippians 1:15; 1 Timothy 6:4; Titus 3:9. (From Homer down.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 2054 (ἔρις) gathers a constellation of ideas involving contentious rivalry that fractures fellowship. Although the term never appears in the Gospels, it dominates nine passages in the Pauline corpus and the Pastoral Letters, marking it as a pressing concern for the first-century churches. Occurrences and Immediate Contexts • Romans 1:29 places ἔρις among the catalogue of sins characterising societies that “did not see fit to acknowledge God”, exposing its root in godlessness rather than mere personality clashes. Theological Themes 1. Flesh versus Spirit: Galatians 5 frames ἔρις as the antithesis of Spirit-produced “peace” (Galatians 5:22). Strife signals allegiance to the old nature, while concord evidences regeneration. Historical Witness Clement of Rome’s First Letter (late first century) rebukes the Corinthian assembly for renewed ἔρις, echoing Paul’s earlier admonitions and illustrating the enduring threat. Early catechetical manuals (e.g., Didache 4.3) list strife among vices to be shunned, showing that the apostolic stance became a fixed element of early Christian moral teaching. Pastoral Diagnostics • Source: pride and misplaced zeal, often cloaked in theological language. Remedial Practices 1. Cross-centred Mindset: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31). Ἔρις withers where the glory of Christ eclipses personal prestige. Ministry Significance Today In an era of platform-driven visibility and instantaneous debate, ἔρις lurks in digital spaces as readily as in house churches. Leaders must model gentle correction (2 Timothy 2:24-25) and celebrate others’ gifts (Romans 12:3-8) to inoculate congregations against modern iterations of the same ancient sin. Summary Ἔρις is more than a disagreement; it is a flesh-driven posture that opposes the gospel’s call to self-sacrificial love. Scripture treats it as a mortal enemy of holiness, doctrine, and mission. The antidote is found in the Spirit’s work, the example of Christ, and the church’s vigilant pursuit of “the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Forms and Transliterations έρεις ἔρεις εριδες έριδες ἔριδες εριδι έριδι ἔριδι εριδος έριδος ἔριδος εριν έριν ἔριν ερις έρις ἔρις ereis éreis erides érides eridi éridi eridos éridos erin érin eris érisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 1:29 N-GFSGRK: φθόνου φόνου ἔριδος δόλου κακοηθείας NAS: murder, strife, deceit, KJV: murder, debate, deceit, INT: of envy murder strife deceit malice Romans 13:13 N-DFS 1 Corinthians 1:11 N-NFP 1 Corinthians 3:3 N-NFS 2 Corinthians 12:20 N-NFS Galatians 5:20 N-NFS Philippians 1:15 N-AFS 1 Timothy 6:4 N-NFS Titus 3:9 N-AFS Strong's Greek 2054 |
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