Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Etymology: Discord refers to a lack of harmony or agreement between individuals, often resulting in conflict or strife. The term is derived from the Latin "discordia," meaning disagreement or disunion. In a biblical context, discord is often associated with division and is considered contrary to the unity and peace that God desires for His people. Biblical References: The Bible addresses the issue of discord in various passages, highlighting its destructive nature and the importance of unity among believers. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists "one who stirs up discord among brothers" as one of the seven things the Lord detests: "There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community" . In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently admonishes the early church to avoid discord and pursue peace. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul urges the believers: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought" . Similarly, in Galatians 5:19-21, discord is listed among the "acts of the flesh," which are contrary to the fruit of the Spirit: "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God" . Theological Significance: Discord is seen as a manifestation of sin that disrupts the fellowship and unity that should characterize the body of Christ. It is often rooted in pride, selfishness, and a lack of love, which are antithetical to the teachings of Jesus. The call to unity is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing that believers are to be one in spirit and purpose, reflecting the unity of the Godhead. The early church faced challenges of discord, as seen in the disputes between Jewish and Gentile believers. The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 is an example of how the early church sought to resolve discord through dialogue and adherence to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Practical Implications: Believers are encouraged to actively pursue peace and reconciliation, following the example of Christ, who is the Prince of Peace. Ephesians 4:3 exhorts Christians to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" . This involves humility, patience, and a willingness to forgive, as outlined in Colossians 3:13: "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" . Discord can be addressed through prayer, seeking wisdom from Scripture, and engaging in open and honest communication. Church leaders are tasked with fostering an environment where unity is prioritized, and conflicts are resolved in a manner that honors God and strengthens the community of believers. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Lack of agreement; absence of unity or harmony in sentiment or action; variance leading to contention and strife; disagreement; -- applied to persons or to things, and to thoughts, feelings, or purposes.2. (v. i.) Union of musical sounds which strikes the ear harshly or disagreeably, owing to the incommensurability of the vibrations which they produce; want of musical concord or harmony; a chord demanding resolution into a concord. 3. (n.) To disagree; to be discordant; to jar; to clash; not to suit. Greek 1267. diamerismos -- a division ... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: diamerismos Phonetic Spelling: (dee-am-er-is-mos') Short Definition: breaking up, discord, hostility Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1267.htm - 6k 139. hairesis -- choice, opinion 2051. erizo -- to wrangle, strive 2052. eritheia -- rivalry, hence ambition Strong's Hebrew 4090. medan -- discord, strife... 4089, 4090. medan. 4091 . discord, strife. Transliteration: medan Phonetic Spelling: (med-awn') Short Definition: strife. ... discord, strife. ... /hebrew/4090.htm - 6k 4066. madon -- strife, contention Library Whether Discord is a Sin? Whether Discord is a Daughter of Vainglory? The Breaking Out of Discord Of Discord, which is Contrary to Peace (Two Articles) Your Recent Discord is Worse than the Former which Took Place in ... Your Recent Discord is Worse than the Former which Took Place in ... Whether There Can be Strife or Discord among the Angels? What Produces Peace, and what Discord, Between the Heavenly and ... About the Discord of Philosophic Opinion, and the Concord of the ... Whether the Daughters of Vainglory are Suitably Reckoned to be ... Thesaurus Discord (7 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Discord (7 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 6:14 in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord. ... /d/discord.htm - 8k Dissension (18 Occurrences) Jar (45 Occurrences) Soweth (16 Occurrences) Sows (18 Occurrences) Evolution Variance (1 Occurrence) Uttereth (30 Occurrences) Utters (26 Occurrences) Frowardness (4 Occurrences) Resources What is the meaning of Philippians 4:6? | GotQuestions.orgWhy are Christians always arguing? | GotQuestions.org Summary of the Book of 2 Corinthians - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org Discord: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Discord (7 Occurrences)Acts 15:2 1 Corinthians 12:25 Galatians 5:20 Esther 1:18 Proverbs 6:14 Proverbs 6:19 Proverbs 15:18 Subtopics Related Terms |