Greek word · G1370

διχοστασία

dichostasia

dissension

Literally 'standing in two', meaning splitting into camps: dissension or sedition. Related to stasis, the classic Greek word for civil strife.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

διχοστασία, -ας, ἡ

(διχοστατέω, to stand apart), [in LXX: 1Ma.3:29 * ;]

standing apart, dissension: Romans 16:17, Galatians 5:20.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of 1 Corinthians 3:3

Range of meaning

Literally 'standing in two', meaning splitting into camps: dissension or sedition. Related to stasis, the classic Greek word for civil strife.

Against the English

Appears only in KJV ('divisions'), YLT ('divisions') and WEB ('factions'), which follow the Byzantine text. It is absent from most modern versions.

Used elsewhere in the period

Gal 5:20 and Rom 16:17 in the New Testament. In classical Greek it is used for political sedition (e.g. Solon, Herodotus).

From the study of Romans 16:17

Range of meaning

Dissension, division into factions, sedition. Built from dicha ('in two') and stasis ('standing', and also 'civil strife, faction'). In Greek political writing it describes a city torn into rival parties.

Against the English

'Divisions' in all major versions. This is accurate, though the Greek is sharper: a community actively split into hostile camps, not just differing views.

How it drifted

Modern readers sometimes take 'divisions' to mean denominations or any disagreement whatever. Paul means factions formed inside one local community of believers.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Solon's poem on good order (fr. 4 West), good order 'stops the works of dichostasia'. In 1 Macc 3:29 (Greek Old Testament) it describes civil strife in the land. In the New Testament: Gal 5:20, among the 'works of the flesh' next to rivalries and factions. Some manuscripts also have it at 1 Cor 3:3.

Where it appears

Romans · 1

  1. Romans 16:17 διχοστασίας divisions

    Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.

    Here: Literally a 'standing in two': a faction that pulls a community into rival camps. Plural, so repeated or ongoing splits.

Galatians · 1

  1. Galatians 5:20 διχοστασίαι, dissensions,

    idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,

    Here: Literally "standing in two": a community splitting into camps. The word had a civic, political ring, of a city torn by internal strife.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.