Choice, chosen way of life or faith, sect, school, party. The Greek word properly designates any sect or party, without implying praise or censure. So in Acts 5:17 15:5 26:4,5 . In the epistles it denotes a sect or party in a bad sense, implying a refractory spirit, as well as error in faith and practice, 1 Corinthians 11:19 Galatians 5:20 2 Peter 2:1 . After the primitive age, the word came to signify simply error in doctrine.