Topical Encyclopedia
Contention, as understood within the biblical context, refers to strife, dispute, or conflict that arises between individuals or groups. The Bible addresses contention in various forms, often highlighting its destructive nature and the importance of seeking peace and unity among believers.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, contention is frequently associated with discord and division. Proverbs, a book rich in wisdom literature, warns against the dangers of contention.
Proverbs 13:10 states, "Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised." This verse suggests that pride and arrogance are often the root causes of contention, while wisdom and humility can prevent it.
Another significant reference is found in
Proverbs 17:14 : "Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out." This imagery underscores the potential for contention to escalate into larger conflicts if not addressed promptly and wisely.
New Testament ReferencesThe New Testament continues to address the issue of contention, particularly within the context of the early Christian church. The Apostle Paul frequently admonishes believers to avoid strife and to pursue peace. In
1 Corinthians 1:10 , Paul appeals to the church in Corinth, saying, "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction."
Paul's letters often emphasize the importance of unity and the dangers of contention. In
Galatians 5:19-21 , he lists "strife" and "dissensions" among the works of the flesh, contrasting them with the fruit of the Spirit, which includes peace and gentleness.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, contention is seen as contrary to the nature of God, who is a God of peace (
1 Corinthians 14:33). The presence of contention within the body of Christ is viewed as a hindrance to the church's mission and witness. Believers are called to emulate Christ, who is described as the Prince of Peace (
Isaiah 9:6), and to strive for harmony and reconciliation.
Practical ApplicationsIn practical terms, Christians are encouraged to address contention through prayer, seeking wisdom from God, and practicing humility and forgiveness.
James 1:19-20 advises, "My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires." This counsel highlights the importance of self-control and patience in resolving disputes.
Furthermore, Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount provide guidance on dealing with contention. In
Matthew 5:9 , He declares, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." This beatitude underscores the value placed on those who actively seek to resolve conflicts and promote peace.
ConclusionContention, while a common human experience, is addressed in Scripture as a condition to be avoided and resolved. Through the wisdom of the Bible, believers are equipped to handle disputes in a manner that reflects the character of Christ and fosters unity within the church and the broader community.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A violent effort or struggle to obtain, or to resist, something; contest; strife.
2. (n.) Strife in words; controversy; altercation; quarrel; dispute; as, a bone of contention.
3. (n.) Vehemence of endeavor; eagerness; ardor; zeal.
4. (n.) A point maintained in an argument, or a line of argument taken in its support; the subject matter of discussion or strife; a position taken or contended for.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CONTEND; CONTENTIONkon-tend', kon-ten'-shun: The meeting of effort by effort, striving against opposition; sometimes physically, as in battle (Deuteronomy 2:9), or with horses (Jeremiah 12:5), sometimes orally (Nehemiah 13:11), sometimes spiritually (Isaiah 57:16). In the New Testament diakrinein, for the hostile separation of one from another, dispute (Jude 1:9), or epagonizomai (Jude 1:3), descriptive of the strain to which a contestant is put. The noun is almost universally used with an unfavorable meaning, and as worthy of condemnation, for an altercation arising from a quarrelsome disposition. "By pride cometh only contention" (Proverbs 13:10). The contentions at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:11) called forth the rebukes of Paul. Where used in the King James Version in a good sense (1 Thessalonians 2:2) the Revised Version (British and American) has "conflict." InActs 15:39, the noun has a peculiar force, where English Versions of the Bible translates paroxusmos (whence English "paroxysm") by "sharp contention." The Greek word refers rather to the inner excitement and irritation than to its outward expression.
H. E. Jacobs
Greek
2054. eris -- strife... strife. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: eris Phonetic Spelling:
(er'-is) Short Definition:
contention, strife Definition:
contention, strife
...73. agon -- a gathering, contest, struggle
... struggle (1). conflict,contention, fight, race. From ago; properly, a place
of assembly (as if led), ie (by implication) a contest...
485. antilogia -- gainsaying, contradiction
... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: antilogia Phonetic Spelling:
(an-tee-log-ee'-ah) Short Definition: contradiction,contention, rebellion Definition...
3948. paroxusmos -- stimulation, provocation
...contention, provoke unto. From paroxuno ("paroxysm"); incitement (to good), or dispute
(in anger) --contention, provoke unto. see GREEK paroxuno....
3163. mache -- a fight
... a fight. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: mache Phonetic Spelling:
(makh'-ay) Short Definition: strife,contention, quarrel Definition: (earlier...
5379. philoneikia -- love of strife
... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: philoneikia Phonetic Spelling:
(fil-on-i-kee'-ah) Short Definition: love of dispute,contention Definition: love...
3055. logomachia -- a strife of words
... a strife of words. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: logomachia Phonetic
Spelling: (log-om-akh-ee'-ah) Short Definition:contention about words...
2052. eritheia -- rivalry, hence ambition
...contention, strife. Perhaps as the same as erethizo; properly, intrigue, ie (by
implication) faction --contention(-ious), strife. see GREEK erethizo....
139. hairesis -- choice, opinion
... hah'-ee-res-is) Short Definition: a self-chosen opinion, a sect Definition: a
self-chosen opinion, a religious or philosophical sect, discord orcontention....
Strong's Hebrew
4066. madon -- strife,contention... 4065, 4066. madon. 4067 . strife,
contention. Transliteration: madon Phonetic
Spelling: (maw-dohn') Short Definition: strife. Word
...4683. matstsah -- strife,contention
... 4682, 4683. matstsah. 4684 . strife,contention. Transliteration: matstsah
Phonetic Spelling: (mats-tsaw') Short Definition: strife....contention, debate, strife...
4079. midyan -- brawling,contention
... 4078, 4079. midyan. 4080 . brawling,contention. Transliteration: midyan Phonetic
Spelling: (mid-yawn') Short Definition: brawling.... brawling,contention...
4695. matstsuth -- strife,contention
... 4694, 4695. matstsuth. 4696 . strife,contention. Transliteration: matstsuth
Phonetic Spelling: (mats-tsooth') Short Definition: quarrel....
4808. meribah -- strife,contention
... 4807, 4808. meribah. 4809 . strife,contention. Transliteration: meribah
Phonetic Spelling: (mer-ee-baw') Short Definition: strife....
8409. tigrah --contention, strife, hostility
... 8408, 8409. tigrah. 8410 .contention, strife, hostility. Transliteration:
tigrah Phonetic Spelling: (tig-raw') Short Definition: opposition....
6230. Eseq -- "contention," a well in Gerar
... 6229, 6230. Eseq. 6231 . "contention," a well in Gerar. Transliteration:
Eseq Phonetic Spelling: (ay'sek) Short Definition: Esek....
7379. rib -- strife, dispute
... Word Origin from rib Definition strife, dispute NASB Word Usage adversary (1), case
(11), cause (9), complaint (2), contend (1),contention (1), contentions (3...
Library
WhetherContention is a Mortal Sin?
... OFCONTENTION (TWO ARTICLES) Whethercontention is a mortal sin? Objection
1: It would seem thatcontention is not a mortal sin....
WhetherContention is a Daughter of Vainglory?
... OFCONTENTION (TWO ARTICLES) Whethercontention is a daughter of vainglory? Objection
1: It would seem thatcontention is not a daughter of vainglory....
OfContention (Two Articles)
... OFCONTENTION (TWO ARTICLES). We must now considercontention, in respect of which
there are two points of inquiry: (1) Whethercontention is a mortal sin?...
Then in this GreatContention of My Inward Dwelling...
... Book VIII Chapter VIII Then in this greatcontention of my inward dwelling?
Then in this greatcontention of my inward dwelling...
There Should be noContention in Matters which are in Themselves...
... Book II. Chapter LXXI."There should be noContention in Matters which
are in themselves of Little Moment. "For as long as you...
Avoid Words ofContention and Causes of Animosity: Flee Also from...
... The Doubtful Letters Of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter XVII. Avoid words ofcontention
and causes of animosity: flee also from all occasions of discord?...
Moses of Old Stilled theContention which Arose Concerning the...
... Chapter XLIII."Moses of old stilled thecontention which arose concerning
the priestly dignity. And what wonder is it if those...
Moses of Old Stilled theContention which Arose Concerning the...
... The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. Chapter XLIII."Moses of Old Stilled
theContention Which Arose Concerning the Priestly Dignity....
Contention Over the Man Born Blind.
... From the Third Passover Until Our Lord's Arrival at Bethany. (Time: One Year Less
One Week.) LXXXI.Contention Over the Man Born Blind. (Jerusalem.)...
Whether the Daughters of Vainglory are Suitably Reckoned to be...
... VAINGLORY (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether the daughters of vainglory are suitably reckoned
to be disobedience, boastfulness, hypocrisy,contention, obstinacy, discord...
Thesaurus
Contention (24 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) Strife in words; controversy; altercation; quarrel; dispute; as, a bone
of
contention.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONTEND;
CONTENTION.
...Contentious (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Fond ofcontention; given to angry debate;
provoking dispute orcontention; quarrelsome. 2. (a...
Contend (56 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To struggle for; to contest. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONTEND;
CONTENTION.... "By pride cometh onlycontention" (Proverbs 13:10)....
Strife (71 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Exertion orcontention for superiority; contest of emulation, either
by intellectual or physical efforts. 3. (n.) Altercation...
Grievance (7 Occurrences)
... Acts 19:38 If, however, Demetrius and the mechanics who support hiscontention have
a grievance against any one, there are Assize-days and there are Proconsuls...
Feud (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Acontention or quarrel; especially, an inveterate strife between families,
clans, or parties; deadly hatred;contention satisfied only by bloodshed....
Exciteth (2 Occurrences)
... Exciteth (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 28:25 He that is puffed up in soul exciteth
contention; but he that relieth upon Jehovah shall be made fat. (DBY)....
Discord (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Lack of agreement; absence of unity or harmony in sentiment or action; variance
leading tocontention and strife; disagreement; -- applied to persons...
Controversy (21 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.)Contention; dispute; debate; discussion;
agitation of contrary opinions. 2. (n.) Quarrel; strife...
Contest (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To make a subject of dispute,contention, litigation, or emulation; to contend
for; to call in question; to controvert; to oppose; to dispute....
Resources
Why did God punish David and Bathsheba's innocent child with death? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Federal Vision Theology? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about a contentious or quarrelsome woman? | GotQuestions.orgContention: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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