πόλεμος (polemos)
polemos
war
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 17 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun polemos refers to war, battle, or armed conflict. In the New Testament it appears seventeen times, most frequently in Revelation, but also in the Gospels and Hebrews. It denotes organized military engagement rather than casual disagreement.
Its root relates to bustling or commotion, suggesting the chaotic energy of combat. The word is used literally for wars between nations, as when Jesus warns his followers that they will hear of wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6). In Revelation, it describes the final cosmic struggle, such as the war in heaven against the dragon (Revelation 12:7).
Occasionally, polemos extends metaphorically to personal disputes. James uses it to describe private quarrels among believers (James 4:1), showing how large-scale conflict can reflect smaller interpersonal strife. Translators typically render it "war" or "battle," preserving its sense of intense, often violent opposition.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word polemos describes organized military engagement or armed conflict, carrying a sense of chaotic energy and intense opposition. It is not used for casual disagreements but for serious, often violent struggles between nations or spiritual forces. Understanding this term helps us grasp the gravity of the conflicts described in Scripture, from earthly battles to cosmic spiritual realities.
In your daily life, you may encounter situations that feel like a war zone—whether it is personal strife, societal unrest, or internal turmoil. Jesus warned His followers that they would hear of wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6), yet He also called them to remain untroubled. This word reminds us that while conflict is part of our fallen world, we are not left without hope or perspective.
Even in the midst of chaos, there is a deeper spiritual reality at play. Revelation describes a war in heaven where Michael and his angels fought against the dragon (Revelation 12:7). This shows that our struggles are not just physical but part of a larger cosmic narrative. We can find comfort knowing that God is sovereign over all conflict and that He calls us to peace, wisdom, and trust in His ultimate victory.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- war7×
- wars3×
- war,2×
- of wars;1×
- of wars,1×
- battle?1×
- battle.1×
- battle,1×
- battle1×
- [come] disputes1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πόλεμον7×
- πολέμους3×
- πόλεμον,2×
- πόλεμος1×
- πόλεμον;1×
- πόλεμον.1×
- πόλεμοι1×
- πολέμῳ,1×
- πολέμων·1×
- πολέμων,1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 24:6
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet.
Jesus uses this term to warn His disciples about future global conflicts, urging them not to be alarmed as these events are part of God's sovereign plan.
-
James 4:1
Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don’t they come from your pleasures that war in your members?
James applies the word metaphorically to describe how personal desires fuel interpersonal quarrels among believers, linking large-scale conflict to internal spiritual struggles.
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Revelation of John 12:7
There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war.
This verse depicts a cosmic battle in heaven between Michael and the dragon, illustrating the word's use for spiritual warfare against evil forces.
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Revelation of John 13:7
It was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given to him.
Here, the beast is given authority to make war with the saints, highlighting the term's role in describing persecution and opposition to God's people in the end times.