3859. paradiatribé

Lexical Summary

paradiatribé: Discussion, Dispute, Argument

Original Word: παραδιατριβή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: paradiatribé
Pronunciation: pah-rah-dee-ah-tree-BAY
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ad-ee-at-ree-bay')
KJV: perverse disputing
Word Origin: [from a compound of G3844 (παρά - than) and G1304 (διατρίβω - spent)]

1. misemployment, i.e. meddlesomeness

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

wrangling, constant arguing

From a compound of para and diatribo; misemployment, i.e. Meddlesomeness -- perverse disputing.

see GREEK para

see GREEK diatribo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
variant reading for diaparatribé, q.v.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3859: παραδιατριβή

παραδιατριβή, παραδιατριβης, ἡ, useless occupation, empty business, misemployment (see παρά, IV. 2): 1 Timothy 6:5 Rec. (cf. Winers Grammar, 102 (96)), see διαπαρατριβή. Not found elsewhere; (cf. παραδιατυπόω in Justinian (in Koumanoudes, Λεξεις ἀθησαυρος, under the word)).

Topical Lexicon

Term Overview

Strong’s Greek 3859 occurs once in the New Testament, in 1 Timothy 6:5, and portrays a condition of ongoing contention, an abrasive rubbing that breeds discord among people whose thinking has been corrupted.

Biblical Usage

1 Timothy 6:5 describes “constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain” (Berean Standard Bible). The term pictures an irritating, unrelenting chafing—socially, spiritually, and intellectually—arising wherever false motives and distorted doctrine prevail.

Literary Background

Paul writes 1 Timothy to equip Timothy for leadership in Ephesus, a city awash with speculative philosophies and commercialized religion (Acts 19:23-41). Into that setting came teachers whose doctrines mixed truth with profit-seeking agendas, producing the friction the apostle condemns.

Historical Context in the Pastoral Epistles

The Pastoral Epistles repeatedly warn against quarrelsome controversy:
• “Charge certain people not to teach other doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3).
• “Avoid irreverent, empty chatter” (1 Timothy 6:20).
• “Reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:23).

Strong’s 3859 names the inevitable social climate created when such warnings are ignored.

Theological Significance

1. Depravity of Mind: The friction arises from hearts “depraved” (1 Timothy 6:5), signaling willful moral collapse rather than mere intellectual error.
2. Loss of Truth: The contentious atmosphere is inseparable from a rejection of revealed truth (Romans 1:28; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
3. False Gain: Treating “godliness as a means of gain” turns ministry into marketing, corroding fellowship and witness (cf. Matthew 6:24).
4. Contrast with True Godliness: True piety produces contentment, love, and peace (1 Timothy 6:6-11; Galatians 5:22-23), the polar opposite of 3859.

Relationship with Other Biblical Themes

• Strife (Greek 2054, eris) and selfish ambition (Greek 2052, eritheia) describe similar fruit of the flesh (Galatians 5:20).
• Genuine Christian unity arises from humility and sound doctrine (Philippians 2:1-4; Ephesians 4:1-6).
• Christ’s teaching forbids manipulation of religion for material gain (John 2:16; Matthew 10:8).

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

1. Guard the Pulpit: Leaders must test teachers against Scripture to prevent the spread of profit-driven theology.
2. Cultivate Contentment: Teaching on stewardship and sufficiency in Christ counters materialistic motives that cause friction.
3. Model Godly Conversation: Elders must be “gentle, not quarrelsome” (1 Timothy 3:3), demonstrating the opposite spirit of 3859.
4. Discipline When Necessary: Persistent promoters of divisive gain-seeking are to be confronted and, if unrepentant, removed (Titus 3:10-11).

Exhortations for Believers

• Pursue sound doctrine that produces love and a pure heart (1 Timothy 1:5).
• Flee the pride and materialism that inflame conflict; “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).
• Remember that ministry is service, not a revenue stream; imitate the Lord who “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45).

Summary

Strong’s 3859 exposes the abrasive discord generated by corrupt minds that monetize godliness. Scripture counters this corrosive spirit with the truth of the gospel, contentment in Christ, and servant-hearted leadership, ensuring the church remains “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

Forms and Transliterations

διαπαρατριβαι διαπαρατριβαὶ diaparatribai diaparatribaì

Englishman's Concordance

1 Timothy 6:5 N-NFP
GRK: διαπαρατριβαὶ διεφθαρμένων ἀνθρώπων
KJV: Perverse disputings of men of corrupt
INT: constant frictions corrupted of men

Strong's Greek 3859
1 Occurrence

διαπαρατριβαὶ — 1 Occ.