The term "contentious" refers to a tendency to argue or provoke disputes. In the Bible, contentiousness is often portrayed as a negative trait, associated with strife, discord, and a lack of peace. The Scriptures provide various insights into the nature of contentious behavior and its consequences, offering guidance for believers to avoid such conduct.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, contentiousness is frequently linked with foolishness and discord. Proverbs, a book rich in wisdom literature, addresses the issue of contentious behavior multiple times. Proverbs 21:9 states, "Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife." This verse highlights the discomfort and unrest that contentiousness can bring into a household, suggesting that peace is preferable to living with constant strife.

Proverbs 26:21 further illustrates the destructive nature of contentiousness: "As charcoal to embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife." Here, contentiousness is likened to fuel that ignites and sustains conflict, emphasizing its role in perpetuating discord.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, contentiousness is addressed in the context of Christian conduct and community life. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often warns against behaviors that disrupt unity and peace within the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 11:16 , Paul writes, "If anyone is inclined to dispute this, we have no other practice, nor do the churches of God." This verse underscores the importance of maintaining harmony and avoiding unnecessary disputes within the church.

James 3:16 provides further insight into the consequences of contentious behavior: "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice." Contentiousness, often driven by selfish motives, leads to chaos and moral decay, contrary to the peace and righteousness that should characterize Christian communities.

Practical Implications

The Bible's teachings on contentiousness serve as a warning and a guide for believers. Contentious behavior is often rooted in pride, selfishness, and a lack of love. Christians are called to pursue peace and unity, as emphasized in Romans 12:18 : "If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone." This pursuit of peace requires humility, patience, and a willingness to prioritize the well-being of others over personal desires.

Additionally, believers are encouraged to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, which includes peace, patience, and gentleness (Galatians 5:22-23). By embodying these virtues, Christians can counteract contentious tendencies and foster harmonious relationships within their families, churches, and communities.

Conclusion

While the Bible acknowledges the reality of disagreements and conflicts, it consistently advocates for a spirit of peace and reconciliation. By heeding the biblical warnings against contentiousness and striving to embody Christ-like love and humility, believers can contribute to a more harmonious and God-honoring environment.1. (a.) Fond of contention; given to angry debate; provoking dispute or contention; quarrelsome.

2. (a.) Relating to contention or strife; involving or characterized by contention.

3. (a.) Contested; litigated; litigious; having power to decide controversy.

5380. philoneikos -- fond of strife
... strife. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: philoneikos Phonetic Spelling:
(fil-on'-i-kos) Short Definition: strife-loving, contentious Definition: strife ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5380.htm - 6k

4131. plektes -- a striker
... a striker. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: plektes Phonetic Spelling:
(plake'-tace) Short Definition: a contentious person Definition: a striker ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4131.htm - 6k

269. amachos -- abstaining from fighting
... amachos Phonetic Spelling: (am'-akh-os) Short Definition: not quarrelsome, peaceable
Definition: peaceable, abstaining from fighting, not contentious. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/269.htm - 6k

4784. marah -- to be contentious or rebellious
... 4783, 4784. marah. 4785 . to be contentious or rebellious. Transliteration:
marah Phonetic Spelling: (maw-raw') Short Definition: rebelled. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/4784.htm - 6k

4066. madon -- strife, contention
... Word Origin from din Definition strife, contention NASB Word Usage contention (4),
contentions (3), contentious (5), object of contention (1), strife (7). ...
/hebrew/4066.htm - 6k

3403. Yeribay -- one of David's heroes
... Jeribai. From yariyb; contentious; Jeribai, an Israelite -- Jeribai. see HEBREW
yariyb. 3402, 3403. Yeribay. 3404 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3403.htm - 6k

7380. Ribay -- a Benjamite
... Word Origin from rib Definition a Benjamite NASB Word Usage Ribai (2). Ribai. From
riyb; contentious; Ribai, an Israelite -- Ribai. see HEBREW riyb. ...
/hebrew/7380.htm - 6k

3401. yarib -- opponent, adversary
... From riyb; literally, he will contend; properly, adjective, contentious; used as
noun, an adversary -- that content(-eth), that strive. see HEBREW riyb. ...
/hebrew/3401.htm - 6k

Commandments to Women.
... in wood, so does a wicked woman destroy her husband." [2578] And again: "It is better
to dwell in the corner of the house-top, than with a contentious and an ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii commandments to women.htm

Whether Contention is a Daughter of Vainglory?
... And just as people are discordant when they hold to their own opinion in their hearts,
so are they contentious when each defends his own opinion by words. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether contention is a daughter.htm

Rom. x. 1
... For from what is open to him, as far as he can, he forces his way, and is contentious
to find out some shadow at least of an excuse for them. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvii rom x 1.htm

Matt. xii. 25, 26
... Nevertheless He put aside all these things, and looked to one object only, not to
render them more contentious, but more candid, and so to dispose them better ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xli matt xii 25.htm

Matt. xxiv. 1, 2
... And together with its we would say another thing also, that from what hath been
done, even the most contentious ought to believe concerning the remains, that ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxv matt xxiv 1.htm

Divine Impartiality Considered.
... deeds: To them who by a patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and honor
and immortality, eternal life: But to them that are contentious, and do ...
/.../sermon vi divine impartiality considered.htm

Homilies on S. Ignatius and S. Babylas.
... the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality,
apt to teach, no brawler, no striker, but gentle, not contentious, no lover of ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on s ignatius and.htm

Defence against the Arians.
... And it is only to you, who are men of sincere minds, that I offer a defence: as
for the contentious, I appeal confidently to the decisive proofs which I have ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/defence against the arians.htm

On the Arian Symbol "Unoriginate. " this Term Afterwards Adopted ...
... with the subject, then they must be interrogated; for [948] the expression is not
from divine Scripture [949] , but they are contentious, as elsewhere, for ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter vii on the arian symbol.htm

John iii. 17
... receive pardon; but one who after it is come abides by the darkness, produces against
himself a certain proof of a perverse and contentious disposition. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxviii john iii 17.htm

Contentious (13 Occurrences)
...Contentious (13 Occurrences). ... 1 Corinthians 11:16 But if any man seems to be
contentious, we have no such custom, neither do God's assemblies. ...
/c/contentious.htm - 10k

Brawler (3 Occurrences)
... brol'-er (Qere midhyanim; Kethibh midhwanim, "quarrelsomeness"; amachos, "not
fighting"): Spoken of the quarrelsome woman; "a contentious (the King James ...
/b/brawler.htm - 8k

Sarai (13 Occurrences)
... "She that strives," a contentious person, is a name that might be given to a child
at birth (compare Hosea 12:3, 4, of Jacob), or later when the child's ...
/s/sarai.htm - 20k

Sarah (38 Occurrences)
... "She that strives," a contentious person, is a name that might be given to a child
at birth (compare Hosea 12:3, 4, of Jacob), or later when the child's ...
/s/sarah.htm - 28k

Coal (7 Occurrences)
... Pecham in Proverbs 26:21, however, seems to stand for charcoal: "As coals are to
hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife." The ...
/c/coal.htm - 14k

Dropping (33 Occurrences)
... roof (roofs were usually made of clay in Palestine, and always liable to cracks
and leakage) on a "very rainy day" is compared to a contentious wife (Proverbs ...
/d/dropping.htm - 17k

Contentions (20 Occurrences)

/c/contentions.htm - 11k

Corner (60 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 21:9 It is better to dwell in
the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman. ...
/c/corner.htm - 33k

Housetop (10 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS DBY NAS RSV). Proverbs 21:9 It is better to dwell in the corner of
the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman. ...
/h/housetop.htm - 9k

Kindling (4 Occurrences)
... Kindling (4 Occurrences). Proverbs 26:21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to
fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife. (WEB RSV NIV). ...
/k/kindling.htm - 7k

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Contentious: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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