5380. philoneikos

Lexicon

philoneikos: Quarrelsome, contentious, fond of strife

Original Word: φιλονείκος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: philoneikos
Pronunciation: fee-lo-NAY-kos
Phonetic Spelling: (fil-on'-i-kos)
Definition: Quarrelsome, contentious, fond of strife
Meaning: strife-loving, contentious.

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 Origin
from philos and neikos (strife)
Definition
fond of strife
NASB Translation
contentious (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5380: φιλόνεικος

φιλόνεικος, 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

Word Origin: Derived from two Greek words: φίλος (philos), meaning "friend" or "loving," and νείκος (neikos), meaning "strife" or "quarrel."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for φιλονείκος, the concept of contentiousness and strife is addressed in the Old Testament. Hebrew words such as מָדוֹן (madon, Strong's 4066) and רִיב (rib, Strong's 7379) convey similar ideas of contention and dispute. These terms are used in passages that warn against strife and promote peace, such as Proverbs 17:14 (BSB): "Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out."

Usage: The word φιλονείκος is used in ancient Greek literature to describe individuals who are prone to conflict and enjoy engaging in disputes. In the context of the New Testament, it is used to caution against a divisive and argumentative spirit.

Context: The Greek term φιλονείκος appears in the New Testament to characterize a disposition that is contrary to the teachings of peace and unity found in the Christian faith. The apostle Paul, in his epistles, often warns against behaviors that lead to division and strife within the Christian community. Although the specific term φιλονείκος is not directly quoted in the Berean Standard Bible, the concept is addressed in passages that speak against contentiousness and promote harmony among believers.

For example, in 1 Corinthians 1:10 (BSB), Paul urges the church in Corinth: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction." This reflects the broader biblical principle of avoiding a φιλονείκος attitude, which disrupts the unity and peace that should characterize the body of Christ.

The New Testament consistently encourages believers to pursue peace and to avoid quarrelsome behavior. In 2 Timothy 2:24 (BSB), Paul instructs Timothy: "And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing." This teaching aligns with the admonition against being φιλονείκος, emphasizing the importance of a gentle and peaceable spirit.

Forms and Transliterations

φιλόνεικοι φιλονεικος φιλόνεικος philoneikos philóneikos

Englishman's Concordance

1 Corinthians 11:16 Adj-NMS
GRK: τις δοκεῖ φιλόνεικος εἶναι ἡμεῖς
NAS: is inclined to be contentious, we have
KJV: seem to be contentious, we have
INT: anyone thinks contentious to be we

Strong's Greek 5380
1 Occurrence

φιλόνεικος — 1 Occ.