Lexical Summary machomai: To fight, to quarrel, to strive Original Word: μάχομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fight, strive. Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to war, i.e. (figuratively) to quarrel, dispute -- fight, strive. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. verb Definition to fight NASB Translation argue (1), fight (1), fighting together (1), quarrelsome (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3164: μάχομαιμάχομαι; imperfect 3 person plural Ἐμάχοντο; (allied with μάχαιρα; Curtius, § 459; Vanicek, p. 687; from Homer down); to fight: properly, of armed combatants, or those who engage in a hand-to-hand struggle, Acts 7:26; tropically, of those who engage in a war of words, to quarrel, wrangle, dispute: 2 Timothy 2:24; πρός ἀλλήλους, John 6:52 (cf. Winers Grammar, § 31, 5; Buttmann, § 133, 8); of those who contend at law for property and privileges, James 4:2. (Compare: διαμάχομαι. Synonym: see πόλεμος, b.) Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Nuance The verb denotes engaging in conflict—whether physical, verbal, or ideological. While it can describe hand-to-hand combat, its New Testament occurrences emphasize contentious disputing more than literal warfare. The word carries an undertone of hostile resistance that is incompatible with the meekness encouraged for God’s people. Occurrences in the New Testament • John 6:52 – “At this, the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, ‘How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?’”. The crowd’s hostile debate over Jesus’ teaching exposes an unbelieving heart that prefers contention to humble inquiry. Old Testament Background and Hellenistic Context In the Septuagint the verb commonly translates Hebrew roots for brawling or warfare (for example, Exodus 21:18; Judges 11:25). That heritage highlights a continuum from physical combat to interpersonal hostility. In Greco-Roman usage the word could describe philosophical polemics as well as military skirmishes. The New Testament writers draw on both backgrounds but redefine the term within the ethic of the kingdom, where believers are called to reconcile rather than retaliate. Theology of Conflict and Peace Scripture never ignores the reality of conflict but consistently orients believers toward peace. The four occurrences form a trajectory: Together they show that quarrels reveal spiritual deficiency, whether doctrinal misunderstanding, unrepentant desire, or lack of servant-heartedness. Pastoral and Ministry Applications 1. Conflict-Resolution: Acts 7:26 casts Moses as a peacemaker, foreshadowing the pastoral role of stepping into strife to restore unity. Practical Counsel for Believers • Cultivate humility and active listening to prevent disputes from escalating. Summary The limited but pointed use of this verb in the New Testament exposes the danger of a quarrelsome spirit and sets forth a redemptive alternative: believers are called to abandon contentiousness, align their desires with God’s will, and model the reconciling character of Christ in both speech and conduct. Forms and Transliterations εμαχεσάμην εμαχέσαντο εμαχέσατο Εμαχοντο εμάχοντο Ἐμάχοντο μαχεσθαι μάχεσθαι μαχεσθε μάχεσθε μαχομενοις μαχομένοις μαχόμενος μάχωνται μαωζείν Emachonto Emáchonto machesthai máchesthai machesthe máchesthe machomenois machoménoisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 6:52 V-IIM/P-3PGRK: Ἐμάχοντο οὖν πρὸς NAS: the Jews [began] to argue with one another, KJV: therefore strove among INT: Were arguing therefore with Acts 7:26 V-PPM/P-DMP 2 Timothy 2:24 V-PNM/P James 4:2 V-PIM/P-2P Strong's Greek 3164 |
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