Greek word · G4978

σχίσμα

schisma

split

Literally a tear or rip, as in cloth (Mark 2:21; Matt 9:16). Figuratively, a split of opinion or a rift within a group (John 7:43; 9:16; 10:19, where a crowd is 'divided' over Jesus).

Appears 8 times in 8 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated November 01, 2026

What it means

σχίσμα, -τος, τό

(σχίζω),

a rent (Arist., al.): Matthew 9:16, Mark 2:21. Metaphorical, a dissension, division: John 7:43 9:16 10:19, 1 Corinthians 1:10 11:18 12:25.†

SYN.: see: αἵρεσις (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 1:10

Range of meaning: Literally a tear or rip, as in cloth (Mark 2:21; Matt 9:16). Figuratively, a split of opinion or a rift within a group (John 7:43; 9:16; 10:19, where a crowd is 'divided' over Jesus).
Against the English: 'Divisions' (KJV, BSB, ESV, NIV) is accurate. But English 'schism', which comes from this word, now suggests a formal church split, the creation of a separate body or denomination. Paul's Corinthians had not separated. They were cliques inside one assembly that still ate the Lord's Supper together (11:18).
How it drifted: From the 3rd century onward, Latin church writers (e.g., Cyprian, later Augustine against the Donatists) made 'schisma' a technical term for breaking communion with the church. Events like the 1054 East–West split fixed the meaning of 'schism' as institutional separation.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the Gospels it is used both of a literal tear (Mark 2:21) and of divided opinion (John 7:43). Paul uses it again in 1 Cor 11:18 for divisions visible at the shared meal, and in 12:25 ('that there be no division in the body'), where the image is a body pulling apart.

From the study of John 10:19

Range of meaning: Literally a tear or rip in cloth or a crack in something solid (Matt 9:16; Mark 2:21, a tear in a garment). Used figuratively for a split in opinion, a dissension, or factions inside one group (BDAG: 'division, dissension, schism').
Against the English: 'Division' (BSB, KJV, WEB, YLT; ESV and NASB likewise) is accurate. NIV turns it into a verb ('were divided'), which keeps the sense but loses the noun's picture of something torn.
How it drifted: English 'schism' comes from this word but later took on a church-institutional meaning: a formal break between church bodies (e.g., 1054). The translations here say 'division' and so avoid that overlay. John means a split of opinion in a listening crowd, not the founding of rival groups.
Used elsewhere in the period: Classical and Hellenistic Greek use it for physical splits and cracks. In the NT it is used for a torn garment (Mark 2:21) and for factions in the Corinthian church (1 Cor 1:10; 11:18; 12:25). In John it appears only three times, each time for a split over Jesus: 7:43, 9:16, 10:19.

From the study of John 9:16

Range of meaning: A tear or rip, as in cloth (Mark 2:21). Applied to groups, a split or division of opinion.
Against the English: "Division" is accurate. The English word "schism" comes from it but now usually means a formal church split, and that is not the meaning here.
How it drifted: Church usage from the later centuries made "schism" a technical term for a break in church communion.
Used elsewhere in the period: John uses it three times for the effect Jesus has on people: the crowd in 7:43, the Pharisees here, and "the Jews" in 10:19. Paul uses it for factions at Corinth (1 Cor 1:10; 11:18).

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

Matthew 9:16 σχίσμα tear

No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. For the patch will pull away from the garment, and a worse tear will result.

Here: A physical rip in the fabric. Later Greek, and the English word "schism", use it for a split between people. Here it is only a tear in a cloak.

Mark · 1

Mark 2:21 σχίσμα a tear

No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, and a worse tear will result.

John · 3

John 7:43 Σχίσμα A division

So there was division in the crowd because of Jesus.

Here: A tear or rip, used here for a split of opinion. Putting it first in the Greek sentence stresses it: what came out of the crowd's argument was a split.
John 9:16 σχίσμα division

Because of this, some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man perform such signs?” And there was division among them.

Here: A tear, like a rip in cloth. The panel splits down the middle. The same thing happens around Jesus at 7:43 and 10:19.
John 10:19 Σχίσμα Division

Again there was division among the Jews because of Jesus’ message.

Here: A rift in opinion that splits one group into opposing camps. It comes first in the Greek sentence for emphasis: the split is the news.

1 Corinthians · 3

1 Corinthians 1:10 σχίσματα, divisions,

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.

Here: Literally rips, as in torn cloth (Mark 2:21). Figuratively, rifts of opinion and loyalty. Here it means cliques within one congregation that still meets together (compare 11:18), not formal breakaway churches.
1 Corinthians 11:18 σχίσματα divisions

First of all, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.

Here: "Rips, splits." The same noun describes a tear in a garment (Mark 2:21). Here it means rifts within a group still meeting together, and the plural points to more than one line of fracture.
1 Corinthians 12:25 σχίσμα division

so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another.

Here: Literally a rip, like a tear in cloth (Mark 2:21). Here it means a rift or faction inside a body that still holds together, the same word Paul used for the Corinthian factions (1:10; 11:18).

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