Table of Contents
What is Strife?
Strife is selfish effort or contention due to selfish ambition and pride.
Quick Facts On The Meaning of Strife:
Strife Meaning Cont'd:
- A good strife definition is selfish ambition driven by hatred, pride and violent dissension.
- In Scripture strife is associated with hatred, anger, contention, and sharp disagreement.
- Strife will not exist in a humble person who trusts in the Lord but you will find it in a prideful person who wants to get his own way.
- Strife can also be defined as bickering, discord, antagonism, or quarreling.
Church Fathers on Strife, Division, and Discord
| Church Father | Quote | Theological Emphasis |
|---|---|---|
| Clement of Rome 1 Clement c. 96 AD | “Why are there strifes and angry outbursts and dissensions and schisms among you? Have we not one God and one Christ and one Spirit of grace?” | Strife within the Church is a denial of unity in Christ; a call to reconciliation and peace. |
| Ignatius of Antioch Letter to the Philadelphians c. 110 AD | “Do nothing in strife, but in love and unity with your bishop and presbyters.” | Obedience and love overcome divisive strife; unity with Church authority is key. |
| Polycarp of Smyrna Letter to the Philippians, Ch. 2 c. 135 AD | “Let us forsake the vain talk and the false teachings... and let us return to the word delivered to us from the beginning, being temperate, and forsaking all unrighteous wrath and strife.” | Strife is linked to false teaching and unrighteous behavior; return to apostolic truth. |
| Irenaeus of Lyons Against Heresies, IV.33.7 c. 180 AD | “Those who bring about strife and divisions are perverting the faith... for the true Church is marked by unity and peace.” | Division is opposed to the faith; unity is a mark of the true Church. |
| Tertullian On Patience c. 200 AD | “Wrath leads to strife, and strife to division... but patience quenches the flame of anger.” | Patience as the antidote to strife and the key to Christian virtue. |
| Cyprian of Carthage On the Unity of the Church, Ch. 27 c. 251 AD | “What raging madness to rend the Church, to cut the one body of Christ! He who makes a schism is an antichrist and an enemy of the Lord.” | Strife and schism are not just errors—they are spiritual rebellions. |
| Origen Homilies on Joshua, Homily 15 c. 245 AD | “Strife within the camp weakens the people of God more than the assault of enemies without.” | Internal disunity is more dangerous than external threats. |
| Athanasius Festal Letter 5 c. 333 AD | “Strife is foreign to those who have received the peace of Christ.” | Strife is unnatural for Christians and opposes the gift of Christ’s peace. |
| Basil the Great Letter 203 c. 375 AD | “Let us not give place to strife, which has already destroyed so many churches... but let us seek peace and the things that make for peace.” | A plea for reconciliation and unity, especially amid doctrinal conflict. |
| Gregory of Nyssa Against Eunomius, Book 1 c. 380 AD | “Every heresy begins with strife and pride.” | Pride and self-will are the roots of division and doctrinal strife. |
| John Chrysostom Homily on Philippians 2:1–2 c. 390 AD | “Strife springs from empty glory; humility is the path to unity.” | Humility is the antidote to ambition and strife. |
| Ambrose of Milan On the Duties of the Clergy, Book 1.30 c. 391 AD | “Where there is strife, there is pride. Let the servant of Christ flee from contentions.” | Strife flows from pride; peace should mark Christian character. |
| Jerome Letter 22 to Eustochium c. 384 AD | “Let us not tear apart the seamless garment of Christ with strife and discord.” | A reference to schism as the tearing of Christ's unity. |
| Augustine of Hippo Sermon 96.3 c. 410 AD | “In essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity. For where there is strife, love is absent.” | Charity overcomes strife, even in differences. |
| Augustine of Hippo City of God, XIX.12 c. 426 AD | “The earthly city is full of strife, driven by pride and self-love. But the city of God is built on peace and love.” | Strife belongs to the fallen world; peace marks the heavenly city. |
| Leo the Great Sermon 8, On Unity c. 450 AD | “The bond of unity is shattered by the tongue of strife.” | Speech can be a powerful agent of division. |
| Gregory the Great Pastoral Rule, Part II, Ch. 4 c. 590 AD | “The pastor must be vigilant that no strife arises among the flock, for such contentions can quickly devour what has been built.” | Leaders must guard against strife as it can destroy spiritual progress. |
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Strife Synonyms
- conflict
- friction
- discord
- disagreement
- dissension
- variance
- dispute
- argument
- quarreling
- wrangling
- bickering
- controversy
- contention
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Scripture Passages that Define What Strife and Conflict Mean Biblically
2 Timothy 2:23-25 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
- Proverbs 17:14 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
- Proverbs 28:25 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
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- Proverbs 22:10 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
- Proverbs 15:18 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
- James 4:1 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
Proverbs 16:28 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
- Proverbs 20:3 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
- Proverbs 29:22 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
- Proverbs 26:20 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
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What does strife mean in the Bible? It means selfish ambition and vain glory in most instances.
More from Biblical scholars on the topic of strife and contention:
| Scholar & Source | Paraphrased Interpretation | Scriptural Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John Chrysostom (c. 347–407) Homilies on 1 Corinthians | Chrysostom warns that “strife” is the child of pride and the destroyer of charity. It fractures the body of Christ and renders the Spirit’s work fruitless. | 1 Cor 3:3 |
| Theodoret of Cyrus (c. 393–458) Commentary on Galatians | Defines eris as contentious zeal arising from self-love rather than truth. True zeal, he says, seeks the neighbor’s good; strife seeks victory. | Gal 5:20 |
| Ambrosiaster (4th cent.) Commentary on Paul’s Epistles | Notes that “strife” marks those who prefer faction to peace. It reveals carnal ambition opposed to the humility of Christ. | Rom 13:13 |
| Augustine of Hippo (354–430) City of God; Sermons | Augustine calls strife “the disease of self-will.” Where love is absent, argument reigns; unity is replaced by competition. | Gal 5:20 |
| Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) Summa Theologica II–II, Q. 37 | Aquinas treats “strife” as sin opposed to peace. It proceeds from anger and pride and destroys the concord that charity builds. | Gal 5:20 |
| Nicholas of Lyra (1270–1349) Postillae Perpetuae | Eris is the outward sign of inward envy; he contrasts it with the fruit of the Spirit, which is gentleness. | Gal 5:20 |
| John Wycliffe (c. 1328–1384) Commentary on 1 Corinthians | Wycliffe says strife in the church flows from vain glory. True disciples, he adds, contend only for righteousness, not reputation. | 1 Cor 3:3 |
| Desiderius Erasmus (1466–1536) Annotationes in Epistolas Paulinas | Erasmus glosses eris as “brawling or contention of tongues.” He laments that doctrinal quarrels often wear the mask of zeal. | 1 Cor 3:3 |
| Martin Luther (1483–1546) Lectures on Galatians | Luther equates strife with works of the flesh springing from unbelief. It is the opposite of faith-born patience and love. | Gal 5:20 |
| Philip Melanchthon (1497–1560) Loci Communes | Strife is the corruption of zeal when reason is ruled by passion. It betrays lack of the Spirit’s peace. | Gal 5:20 |
| John Calvin (1509–1564) Commentary on 1 Corinthians | Calvin explains that “strife” signifies party-spirit dividing believers. It is the smoke of pride clouding the light of the Gospel. | 1 Cor 3:3 |
| Theodore Beza (1519–1605) Annotationes Maior | Interprets eris as obstinate self-assertion. He contrasts it with Christian modesty and mutual submission. | Gal 5:20 |
| Cornelius à Lapide (1567–1637) Commentaria in Sacram Scripturam | “Strife,” he says, proceeds from envy and the lust of preeminence. It darkens reason and quenches charity. | Rom 13:13 |
| Matthew Poole (1624–1679) Synopsis Criticorum | Poole calls strife the fruit of discontent and ambition. It begins in words and ends in divisions. | 1 Cor 3:3 |
| Matthew Henry (1662–1714) Commentary on the Whole Bible | Henry defines strife as selfish contention contrary to the Spirit’s meekness. It turns fellowship into rivalry and peace into suspicion. | Gal 5:20 |
| John Locke (1632–1704) Paraphrase and Notes on Paul’s Epistles | Locke sees strife as an external sign of inward disorder. He urges believers to govern passion by reason enlightened by faith. | Rom 13:13 |
| J. A. Bengel (1687–1752) Gnomon of the NT | Bengel glosses eris as “contention springing from pride.” He says it dissolves brotherly love and proves carnality. | 1 Cor 3:3 |
| John Gill (1697–1771) Exposition of the NT | Gill writes that strife means quarrels and contentions stirred by envy. Such behavior, he notes, belongs not to saints but to the unrenewed. | Gal 5:20 |
| Philip Doddridge (1702–1751) The Family Expositor | Describes strife as ungoverned zeal which disturbs church harmony. It signals deficiency of humility and prayer. | Rom 13:13 |
| John Wesley (1703–1791) Explanatory Notes upon the NT | Wesley calls strife “ill-will in action.” It destroys the unity of faith and must be rooted out by love. | Gal 5:20 |
| Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) Religious Affections | Edwards interprets strife as evidence of the unbroken will. True grace, he says, melts contention into gentleness. | Gal 5:20 |
| John Fletcher of Madeley (1729–1785) Checks to Antinomianism | Defines strife as the fiery temper of self-righteousness. It grieves the Spirit and quenches charity. | Gal 5:20 |
| Thomas Scott (1747–1821) Commentary on the Holy Bible | Strife is the work of pride and worldly ambition. It ruins Christian testimony before the world. | 1 Cor 3:3 |
| Charles Hodge (1797–1878) Commentary on 1 Corinthians | Hodge views “strife” as jealousy’s offspring and proof of spiritual immaturity. True wisdom, he says, sows peace. | 1 Cor 3:3 |
| Albert Barnes (1798–1870) Notes on the NT: 1 Corinthians | Barnes explains strife as rivalry for influence or honor. The Gospel, he adds, condemns such vanity. | 1 Cor 3:3 |
| Hermann Olshausen (1796–1839) Biblical Commentary on the NT | Olshausen calls it the moral dissonance of hearts still carnal. The Spirit of Christ alone restores harmony. | Rom 13:13 |
| J. P. Lange (1802–1884) Lange’s Commentary on Romans | Strife is passion ungoverned by love; he contrasts it with peaceable righteousness. | Rom 13:13 |
| Henry Alford (1810–1871) The Greek Testament | Alford says eris denotes quarrels born of jealousy. He urges believers to exchange such temper for humility. | 1 Cor 3:3 |
| John Eadie (1810–1876) Commentary on Galatians | Eadie notes that Paul uses the word to expose false zeal among the Galatians. It is the fever of self-interest. | Gal 5:20 |
| Frederic Godet (1812–1900) Commentary on Romans | Godet defines strife as moral tension breaking communion. It grows wherever faith declines into egoism. | Rom 13:13 |
| H. A. W. Meyer (1800–1873) Kritisch-Exegetischer Kommentar | Eris is personal hostility disturbing Christian society; a sign of unspirituality. | 1 Cor 3:3 |
| Franz Delitzsch (1813–1890) Biblical Commentary | Links eris with the Hebrew term for contention, seeing it as rebellion against divine order. | Prov 13:10 → cf. Gal 5:20 |
| Richard C. Trench (1807–1886) Synonyms of the NT | Trench contrasts eris with philoneikia (love of strife). He says Paul’s use denotes bitterness that divides, not honest debate. | Gal 5:20 |
| Charles Ellicott (1819–1905) Commentary on Galatians | Strife, he writes, is the chronic symptom of prideful religion. The Spirit’s fruit of peace alone cures it. | Gal 5:20 |
| E. H. Plumptre (1821–1891) Cambridge Bible: 1 Corinthians | Defines it as restless competition for preeminence. True spirituality seeks service, not supremacy. | 1 Cor 3:3 |
| William Kelly (1821–1906) Notes on Romans | Eris shows the flesh asserting itself even among saints. The cross alone crucifies such ambition. | Rom 13:13 |
| Brooke Foss Westcott (1825–1901) St. Paul and His Epistles | Strife reveals undeveloped love and immature faith. Paul opposes it with the higher law of unity in Christ. | 1 Cor 3:3 |
| Henry Parry Liddon (1829–1890) Lectures on Paul’s Epistles | Calls it the “rivalry of egos.” Christian maturity, he says, turns competition into cooperation. | 1 Cor 3:3 |
| Marcus Dods (1834–1909) Expositor’s Greek Testament | Describes strife as the friction of self-will. Spiritual vitality shows itself in mutual forbearance, not debate. | Gal 5:20 |
| Hermann Cremer (1834–1903) Biblico-Theological Lexicon of NT Greek | Defines eris as “enmity expressed in words.” It belongs to the realm of sin, opposite to agapē. | Gal 5:20 |
| Alexander MacLaren (1826–1910) Expositions of Holy Scripture | MacLaren says strife drains the church’s strength. The Spirit of love alone ends such warfare. | 1 Cor 3:3 |
| Joseph Parker (1830–1902) The People’s Bible | Parker calls strife the noise of pride clashing with pride. Humility is its silence. | Rom 13:13 |
| Alfred Plummer (1841–1926) Commentary on 1 Corinthians | Strife is “party spirit in motion.” He contrasts it with the calm unity of the Spirit. | 1 Cor 3:3 |
| William Sanday (1843–1920) Romans in ICC Series | Defines eris as the social manifestation of self-centeredness. Love, he says, is the true solvent of contention. | Rom 13:13 |
| James Hastings (1852–1922) Dictionary of the Bible | Lists eris among the works of the flesh meaning quarrelsomeness. It violates the law of Christ’s peace. | Gal 5:20 |
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