Lexical Summary philoneikos: Quarrelsome, contentious, fond of strife Original Word: φιλονείκος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance contentious. From philos and neikos (a quarrel; probably akin to nikos); fond of strife, i.e. Disputatious -- contentious. see GREEK philos see GREEK nikos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom philos and neikos (strife) Definition fond of strife NASB Translation contentious (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5380: φιλόνεικοςφιλόνεικος, φιλονεικον (φίλος, and νεῖκος strife), fond of strife, contentious: 1 Corinthians 11:16. (Pindar, Plato, Polybius, Josephus, Plutarch, others; in a good sense, emulous, Xenophon, Plato, Plutarch, others.) Topical Lexicon Form and Meaning φιλόνεικος combines phílos, “lover,” with neîkos, “strife,” and portrays the settled disposition of a person who delights in controversy. It expresses more than an occasional disagreement; it depicts an appetite for contention itself. Biblical Occurrence and Context 1 Corinthians 11:16 contains the New Testament’s sole use of φιλόνεικος: “If anyone is inclined to dispute this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God”. Paul addresses believers tempted to turn a matter of church decorum into a battle ground. By using such a sharp term, he identifies an argumentative spirit as a threat not merely to local harmony but to the fellowship of “the churches of God.” Historical and Cultural Background In classical Greek literature φιλόνεικος described litigants who thrived on lawsuits and athletes determined to win at any cost. Corinth’s civic culture, marked by legal wrangling (1 Corinthians 6:1-8) and competitive displays of honor, fostered pride in verbal victory. Paul’s choice of the term exposes the heart motive behind endless disputation—self-exaltation disguised as zeal. Relation to Old Testament Concepts The Hebrew Scriptures repeatedly warn against “strife” (madon) and “quarrels” (riyb). Proverbs 20:3 commends the one who “avoids strife,” and Proverbs 26:21 likens a quarrelsome man to charcoal that fuels fire. Paul’s single use of φιλόνεικος stands in continuity with these wisdom themes, identifying contentiousness as folly that inflames community life. Theological Significance 1. Works of the Flesh vs. Fruit of the Spirit. Contentiousness parallels “strife” listed among the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:20). It is therefore incompatible with the Spirit-produced qualities of peace, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Ministry and Pastoral Application • Leadership must discern between sincere inquiry and a spirit that feeds on controversy. Titus 3:10 instructs, “Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition.” Illustrative Biblical Parallels 2 Timothy 2:23—“Reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed quarrels.” James 3:16—“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.” Jude 1:19—“These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit.” Each passage reinforces the danger Paul highlights with φιλόνεικος: contention undermines spiritual vitality and corporate witness. Summary φιλόνεικος in 1 Corinthians 11:16 unmasks the love of strife as a spiritual vice that erodes unity. Scripture consistently contrasts such contentiousness with the peaceable wisdom from above and urges the church to resist the lure of argument for argument’s sake, embracing instead the humble, reconciling character of Christ. Forms and Transliterations φιλόνεικοι φιλονεικος φιλόνεικος philoneikos philóneikosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |