Bible Dictionaries
Contention, Contentious

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

"strife, quarrel," especially "rivalry, contention, wrangling," as in the church in Corinth, 1 Corinthians 1:11 , is translated "contentions" in Titus 3:9 , AV. See DEBATE , STRIFE , VARIANCE.

(Eng., "paroxysm"), lit., "a sharpening," hence "a sharpening of the feeling, or action" (para, "beside," intensive, oxus, "sharp"), denotes an incitement, a sharp contention, Acts 15:39 , the effect of irritation; elsewhere in Hebrews 10:24 , "provoke," unto love. See PROVOKE.

lit., "love of strife" (phileo, "to love," neikos, "strife"), signifies "eagerness to contend;" hence, a "contention," said of the disciples, Luke 22:24 . Cp. B, 2.

lit., "not fighting" (a, negative, mache, "a fight, combat, quarrel"), primarily signifying "invincible," came to mean "not contentious," 1 Timothy 3:3 , RV; Titus 3:2 (AV, "not a brawler," "no brawlers").

akin to A, No. 3, is used in 1 Corinthians 11:16 . In the Sept., Ezekiel 3:7 , "stubborn."

Notes: (1) Eritheia, "contention," AV, in Philippians 1:17 , is translated "faction," in the RV. The phrase hoi ex eritheias, Romans 2:8 , lit., "those of strife," is rendered "contentious," in the AV; RV, "factious." See FACTIOUS , STRIFE.

(2) For agon, "a contest," "contention," 1 Thessalonians 2:2 , AV; "conflict," RV, see CONFLICT.