Pronunciation Guide: hahee-ret-ee-KOSS

Basic Definition

Strong’s G141: αἱρετικός (hairetikos) refers to someone who creates divisions by promoting self-chosen beliefs or doctrines that deviate from established truth. It describes a person who maintains divisive teachings, causing factions within the community of believers. The term carries strong connotations of willful deviation from accepted teaching and the fostering of discord through the promotion of personal opinions.

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Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Root Word: αἱρέομαι (haireomai) – to choose, prefer, or take for oneself
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Teaching and ecclesiastical contexts
• Literary Genre: Primarily found in epistolary literature

αἱρετικός Morphology:

• αἱρετικός (nominative singular masculine) – factious/divisive person
• αἱρετικόν (accusative singular masculine) – factious/divisive person (as object)
• αἱρετικοῦ (genitive singular masculine) – of a factious/divisive person
• αἱρετικῷ (dative singular masculine) – to/for a factious/divisive person

Origin & History

The term αἱρετικός emerged from the classical Greek word αἵρεσις (hairesis), which initially carried the neutral meaning of “choice” or “school of thought.” In Hellenistic literature, particularly in the works of Diogenes Laertius, it was used to describe philosophical schools and their adherents.

The transformation of the term from a neutral descriptor to a negative designation occurred primarily within the context of early Christian literature. This shift reflected the early church’s growing need to address challenges to apostolic teaching and maintain doctrinal unity.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• One who causes divisions through the promotion of personal interpretations
• An individual who creates factions by advocating teachings contrary to established doctrine
• Someone who persists in promoting divisive doctrinal views despite correction

αἱρετικός Translation Options:

• “Factious person” – Emphasizes the divisive nature of the individual’s actions
• “Heretical person” – Highlights the doctrinal deviation aspect, though potentially carries stronger modern connotations
• “Divisive person” – Captures the practical impact on community unity
• “Schismatic” – Technical term emphasizing the causing of divisions

Biblical Usage

The term αἱρετικός appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in Titus 3:10, where Paul instructs Titus regarding church discipline. This singular usage carries significant weight in understanding early church approaches to maintaining doctrinal purity and community unity.

The related noun αἵρεσις appears multiple times throughout the New Testament, providing important context for understanding αἱρετικός:

• “Reject a divisive person [αἱρετικὸν] after a first and second warning.” Titus 3:10
• “There must be factions [αἱρέσεις] among you.” 1 Corinthians 11:19
• “The party [αἵρεσις] of the Sadducees.” Acts 5:17
• “The sect [αἵρεσις] of the Pharisees.” Acts 15:5
• “The Way, which they call a sect [αἵρεσιν].” Acts 24:14

Cultural Insights

In the Greco-Roman world, philosophical schools were commonly referred to as αἱρέσεις, reflecting a culture where different schools of thought competed for followers. This cultural context helps explain why early Christians were particularly concerned about maintaining doctrinal unity and preventing the formation of competing interpretative traditions within the church.

The early church faced significant challenges from various philosophical and religious movements that attempted to blend Christian teaching with other belief systems. The term αἱρετικός became increasingly important as church leaders sought to maintain the purity of apostolic teaching against such syncretistic tendencies.

Theological Significance

The use of αἱρετικός in the New Testament reflects God’s concern for the unity and doctrinal purity of His church. It demonstrates that while diversity of gifts and expressions within the body of believers is celebrated, deviation from core apostolic teaching that leads to division is viewed seriously.

The presence of this term in Scripture reveals God’s wisdom in providing guidelines for maintaining church unity while dealing with those who would threaten it through false teaching. It shows His loving protection of His people by identifying and addressing sources of division that could harm their spiritual growth and community life.

The concept also points to the importance of humble submission to divine truth rather than elevating personal interpretations above the clear teaching of Scripture. It reminds us that God’s truth is not subject to individual preference or democratic consensus but stands as an unchanging standard.

Personal Application

Understanding αἱρετικός challenges us to examine our own attitudes toward biblical truth and church unity. It calls us to maintain a delicate balance between standing firm for truth and maintaining a spirit of love and humility in our interactions with others.

This word study should motivate us to approach Scripture with humility, seeking to understand and submit to its teaching rather than imposing our own preferences or interpretations. It also encourages us to be discerning while maintaining a spirit of grace, recognizing that the goal of church discipline is always restoration and the preservation of unity in truth.

Related Words

• σχίσμα (schisma) – division, rent, schism. Emphasizes the actual separation rather than the causative behavior. See G4978
• διχοστασία (dichostasia) – division, dissension, sedition. Focuses on the state of standing apart. See G1370
• αἵρεσις (hairesis) – sect, party, school. The noun form from which αἱρετικός derives. See G139
• διαμερισμός (diamerismos) – division, dissension. Emphasizes the process of dividing or separating. See G1267

Did you Know?

• The English word “heretic” derives directly from αἱρετικός, though its modern usage often carries stronger connotations than the original Greek term.
• In ancient Greek medical writings, forms of αἱρέομαι were used to describe the “choosing” or “selecting” of specific treatments, showing how the root concept of choice underlaid various applications of the word.
• The early church fathers, particularly Irenaeus in his work “Against Heresies,” extensively developed the concept of heresy based on this term, helping to establish orthodox Christian doctrine.

Remember This

αἱρετικός reminds us that unity in truth, not mere uniformity or divisive individualism, is God’s design for His church.