αἵρεσις (ahiresis)
ahiresis
sect
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word hairesis literally means "choice" or "that which is chosen." In the New Testament, it evolved to describe a group of people united by a specific set of opinions or principles. While modern English often translates it as "sect," the term originally carried a neutral sense of selecting a path, only later acquiring the negative connotation of division.
This shift in meaning is visible across different biblical contexts. In Acts, it refers to distinct religious factions within Judaism, such as the sect of the Pharisees (Acts 15:5) or the Sadducees (Acts 26:5). Here, it simply identifies a recognizable party. However, in Paul’s letters and Second Peter, the word takes on a sharper tone. In Galatians 5:20 and 1 Corinthians 11:19, hairesis is linked to divisions that threaten church unity, suggesting that when choices become rigid factions, they lead to discord rather than clarity.
The term’s root lies in the verb haireō, meaning "to choose." This etymology highlights that a sect is defined by what its members have selected to believe. The biblical authors use it to show how shared convictions can create community, but also how those same convictions can become sources of conflict when they replace love for one another.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hairesis begins with a simple idea: choice. In the New Testament, it describes groups formed around specific beliefs or leaders. Acts uses it neutrally to name familiar Jewish factions like the Pharisees and Sadducees, showing how shared convictions can create distinct communities. Paul later warns that when these divisions harden into rigid camps, they threaten the unity of the church.
This word reminds us that our choices shape who we are with. While holding firm to truth is vital, letting those truths become walls against other believers leads to strife. The biblical call is not to abandon conviction, but to ensure that our shared faith in Christ remains the center, keeping love alive even when opinions differ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sect3×
- sect;1×
- heresies1×
- factions,1×
- factions1×
- a sect1×
- [the] sect1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- αἵρεσιν2×
- αἱρέσεως2×
- αἱρέσεις2×
- αἵρεσις1×
- αἱρέσεως·1×
- αἱρέσεις,1×
Key Verses
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Acts 15:5
But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
This verse uses the term neutrally to identify a specific group within Judaism, showing its original sense as a recognizable party rather than a negative label.
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Acts 24:14
But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;
Paul describes Christianity as 'the Way,' a sect he serves, demonstrating how the word can denote a committed path of belief and practice.
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Galatians 5:20
idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies,
Here Paul lists divisions among the works of the flesh, showing how rigid factions can become destructive to church unity.
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II Peter 2:1
But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.
Peter warns against false teachings that introduce destructive heresies, highlighting the danger when chosen beliefs deny core truths about Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hairesis mean in the Bible?
Is hairesis the same as heresy?
Why does Paul mention hairesis in Galatians?
Every Occurrence (9 verses across 4 books)
Acts 6 verses
But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled…
Acts 15:5But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command…
Acts 24:5For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and…
Acts 24:14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers,…
Acts 26:5having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a…
Acts 28:22But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is…