ἔρις (eris)
eris
quarrel
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek noun eris describes active conflict, often manifesting as quarreling or contentious strife among people. It appears nine times in the New Testament, frequently listing it alongside other moral failures such as envy and selfish ambition. In passages like Romans 1:29 and Galatians 5:20, Paul uses it to characterize behaviors that disrupt community harmony and reflect a heart opposed to God’s will.
This word carries a sense of heated disagreement or wrangling rather than simple difference of opinion. It suggests an aggressive spirit of contention that divides groups, as seen in the divisions within the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 3:3) or the disputes among those preaching Christ in Philippians 1:15. The term implies a disruptive energy that fractures unity.
Its usage highlights how internal strife is viewed as a serious spiritual failure. By placing eris in lists of vices, Scripture identifies such conflict not merely as interpersonal friction but as evidence of a deeper moral corruption. This perspective underscores the high value placed on peace and reconciliation within the early Christian communities.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eris points to a specific kind of friction in our relationships: active quarreling that goes beyond simple disagreement. It describes the heated, contentious spirit that divides communities and disrupts peace. When we see this word in Scripture, it is often listed alongside envy or selfish ambition, showing us that conflict rarely stands alone. It usually signals a heart that has turned inward, prioritizing being right over loving others.
Understanding this helps us recognize the early signs of division. Paul warns the Corinthians that jealousy and strife prove we are still walking in our own strength rather than relying on God’s wisdom. This is not just about bad manners; it is a spiritual issue that fractures the unity Christ died to create. By naming it, Scripture invites us to examine our motives before arguments escalate.
For your daily life, this word offers a clear mirror. It asks you to check the spirit behind your next response in a disagreement. Are you seeking to win an argument, or are you seeking peace? The call is not to avoid all conflict, but to reject the aggressive, divisive nature of eris. Instead, we can choose the patience and humility that reflect the character of Jesus.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- strife,4×
- strife1×
- quarrels1×
- in dissension1×
- arguments1×
- a quarrel,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἔρις,3×
- ἔρις1×
- ἔριν,1×
- ἔριδος,1×
- ἔριδι1×
- ἔριδες1×
- ἔρεις1×
Key Verses
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I Corinthians 3:3
for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren’t you fleshly, and don’t you walk in the ways of men?
Paul uses this term to diagnose the Corinthian church's immaturity, linking strife directly to jealousy and a lack of spiritual growth.
-
Galatians 5:20
idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies,
This occurrence places quarreling in the 'works of the flesh,' contrasting it sharply with the fruit of the Spirit like peace and patience.
-
Romans 1:29
being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,
Here, strife is part of a broader list of human depravity, showing how broken relationships reflect a heart turned away from God.
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Philippians 1:15
Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.
Paul acknowledges that even preaching can be tainted by strife, highlighting how competitive motives can corrupt good intentions.