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Coping with Life 32 – Strife
Coping with Life 32 – Strife
Mike Willis
The word “strife” appears several times in the Bible, usually in the context of sins that God despises (2 Cor. 12:20; Gal. 5:20). Here are three Greek words and two Hebrew words, with their definitions, that appear in the Bible and are translated by the English word “strife” or some synonym thereof:
New Testament (appearing in vice lists of the New Testament):
ERITHEIA – selfish ambition. In Aristotle this word means “a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means. It is separated from eris in lists of vices in 2 Cor. 12:20 and Gal. 5:20. The meaning of “strife, contentiousness” cannot be excluded but “selfishness, selfish ambition . . . in all cases gives a sense that is just as probable” (BDAG, 392).
ERIS: “engagement in rivalry, especially with reference to positions taken in a matter, strife, discord, content” (BDAG, 392).
PHILONEIKIA: “contentiousness . . . dispute, argument, Luke 22:24” (BDAG, 1058).
Old Testament:
RÎBH: “dispute between individuals and groups, quarrel, brawl, strife” (HALOT, 1225-1226).
MĔDHĀN: “controversy, controversies” (HALOT, 550).
These words and their definitions describe sinful conduct. One can practice his sin so regularly that it becomes a part of his character. If one is guilty of being involved in strife, he should repent and seek God’s forgiveness and the forgiveness of the one with whom he has wrangled.
Solomon wrote, “It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling” (Prov. 20:3). Earlier in Proverbs, Solomon listed seven things that God hates, one of which is strife:
There are six things that the LORD hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
a false witness who breathes out lies,
and ONE WHO SOWS DISCORD AMONG BROTHERS (Prov. 6:16-19).
Politicians create parties by pitting one group of Americans against another and keeping that conflict going and growing. If the conflict they are pushing was resolved, those stirring political hatred would be unemployed. Soon an amalgam of disenfranchised minorities ally themselves by committing themselves to support those in their party, regardless of what they might believe to be the merits of the case of an opposing point of view. And, if one segment of the group does not march in lockstep, they are castigated by their own party. It is sad to witness the vitriol of the two largest political parties in America toward each other. It has destroyed the national unity of our country. At the present the “United” States has become two factions pitted against each other.
What is even sadder than civil conflict is when strife invades a family or a church. It destroys the unity and weakens their ability to work together in harmony and peace. The pleasantries of both home and church can be destroyed by bitter strife. As soon as one identifies that an area of conflict is degenerating into strife, he should work to nip it in the bud.
