Factious
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The term "factious" refers to a tendency to form factions or dissenting groups within a larger community, often leading to division and strife. In the context of the Bible, factious behavior is generally viewed negatively, as it disrupts the unity and harmony that should characterize the body of Christ.

Biblical References:

1. Titus 3:10-11 : "Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition, knowing that such a man is corrupt and sinful; he is self-condemned." This passage instructs believers to deal with those who cause division by warning them, and if they persist, to reject them. The emphasis is on maintaining the purity and unity of the church by not allowing factious individuals to continue their disruptive behavior.

2. Romans 16:17-18 : "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. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the hearts of the naive." Here, the Apostle Paul warns the Roman church to be vigilant against those who cause divisions, highlighting that their motives are self-serving rather than Christ-centered.

3. 1 Corinthians 1:10 : "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." Paul calls for unity among believers, urging them to avoid divisions and to be united in their beliefs and purpose.

Theological Implications:

Factious behavior is often rooted in pride, selfish ambition, or a desire for power and control. It stands in opposition to the biblical call for humility, love, and unity among believers. The New Testament consistently emphasizes the importance of maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).

Practical Considerations:

In the life of the church, addressing factious behavior requires wisdom and discernment. Leaders are called to protect the flock from those who would sow discord, while also seeking to restore individuals through gentle correction when possible. The goal is always the health and unity of the church, reflecting the oneness of the body of Christ.

Historical Context:

Throughout church history, factious behavior has led to schisms and divisions, often resulting in the formation of new denominations or sects. While some divisions have been necessary due to doctrinal purity, many have arisen from personal conflicts or secondary issues. The early church faced similar challenges, as seen in the letters of Paul, who frequently addressed issues of division and called for unity among believers.

Moral and Ethical Dimensions:

Factiousness is considered a work of the flesh, as described in Galatians 5:19-21, where it is listed among other sins such as jealousy, fits of rage, and selfish ambition. Believers are called to live by the Spirit, producing the fruit of love, joy, peace, and patience, which stand in stark contrast to the divisive nature of factious behavior.

In summary, the Bible consistently warns against factiousness, urging believers to pursue unity and peace within the church. This requires a commitment to sound doctrine, humility, and a willingness to prioritize the collective good over individual preferences or ambitions.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (a.) Given to dissension, in opposition to the common good; turbulent; seditious; prone to clamor against public measures or men; -- said of persons.

2. (a.) Pertaining to faction; proceeding from faction; indicating, or characterized by, faction; -- said of acts or expressions; as, factious quarrels.

Greek
141. hairetikos -- causing division
... causing division. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: hairetikos Phonetic
Spelling: (hahee-ret-ee-kos') Short Definition: factious Definition: disposed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/141.htm - 7k

244. allotriepiskopos -- one who meddles in things alien to his ...
... os) Short Definition: a prier into other men's affairs Definition: one who meddles
in things alien to his calling or in matters belonging to others; factious. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/244.htm - 6k

Library

Copy of Letter to the Right Hon. Lord William Hervey
... At the time I alluded to, I was at Labajos, in the province of Segovia, and the
division of the factious chieftain Balmaseda was in the immediate neighbourhood ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/copy of letter to the.htm

Testimonies of the Ancients in Favor of Eusebius.
... thought by others, I dare clearly and boldly affirm that this measure will furnish
ground of accusation against you, and will provoke factious disturbances of ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/testimonies of the ancients in.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram.
... He said that if he fell into the hands of the factious he was a lost priest, for
that they would first make him say mass and then blow him up with gunpowder. ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 59.htm

Constantine's Letter to the Antiochians, Directing them not to ...
... thought by others, I dare clearly and boldly affirm that this measure will furnish
ground of accusation against you, and will provoke factious disturbances of ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter lx constantines letter to the.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... Mr. Fowler is somewhat inconsistent with regard to persecution; in p.266 he says,
'As for factious hypocrite, they would be with ease supprest'; in p.262 he ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

That There is a Malignant Party Still in the Kingdom.
... the expressions of many of the people of the land run that way, that there are now
no malignants in Scotland, and that it is but a few factious ministers that ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section i that there is.htm

Tenth Sunday after Trinity Spiritual Counsel for Church Officers.
... The devil, unable to rest, had to rouse his factious rabble, his selfish souls,
who desired the name of being superior and inspired people, a people who could ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/tenth sunday after trinity spiritual.htm

Sunday after Easter
... against God's enemy, whose rule of the world is one of falsehood and murder; they
must contend with the enemy's servants, his horde of factious spirits and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday after easter.htm

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity the Christian Calling and Unity.
... ensue as numerous as the teachers and their creeds; as exemplified in the countless
sects to this time prevalent in Popedom, and in the factious spirits of all ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/seventeenth sunday after trinity the.htm

Argument. Saturus, in a vision, and Perpetua Being Carried by ...
... And they said to Optatus, Rebuke thy people, because they assemble to you as if
returning from the circus, and contending about factious matters.' And then it ...
/.../chapter iv argument saturus in a.htm

Thesaurus
Factious (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Pertaining to faction; proceeding from faction; indicating, or characterized
by, faction; -- said of acts or expressions; as, factious quarrels. ...
/f/factious.htm - 7k

Warning (30 Occurrences)
... warning to the rest. (WEY NIV). Titus 3:10 Avoid a factious man after a first
and second warning; (WEB NAS). Hebrews 3:15 seeing that ...
/w/warning.htm - 15k

Warn (35 Occurrences)
... close a follower. (WEY). Titus 3:10 Avoid a factious man after a first and
second warning; (Root in WEB NAS NIV). Revelation 22:18 ...
/w/warn.htm - 17k

Factions (5 Occurrences)

/f/factions.htm - 7k

Factiousness (1 Occurrence)

/f/factiousness.htm - 6k

Twice (44 Occurrences)
... is preaching and teaching. (BBE). Titus 3:10 Avoid a factious man after
a first and second warning; (See RSV). Jude 1:12 These are ...
/t/twice.htm - 19k

Excommunication
... the church. 2 Thessalonians 3:14: "Note that man, that ye have no company
with him"; Titus 3:10: "A factious man. avoid" (American ...
/e/excommunication.htm - 15k

Divisive (1 Occurrence)
... difference. Multi-Version Concordance Divisive (1 Occurrence). Titus 3:10 Avoid
a factious man after a first and second warning; (See NIV). ...
/d/divisive.htm - 6k

Corinthians (3 Occurrences)
... Paul thereupon wrote this letter, for the purpose of checking the factious spirit
and correcting the erroneous opinions that had sprung up among them, and ...
/c/corinthians.htm - 77k

Avoid (31 Occurrences)
... unprofitable and vain. (KJV WBS NAS RSV NIV). Titus 3:10 Avoid a factious
man after a first and second warning; (WEB). 1 Peter 3:11 ...
/a/avoid.htm - 15k

Resources
What is the definition of heresy? | GotQuestions.org

Factious: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Factious (2 Occurrences)

Romans 2:8
but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, 'shall be' wrath and indignation,
(ASV RSV)

Titus 3:10
Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning;
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

Subtopics

Factious

Related Terms

Facts (11 Occurrences)

Factious (2 Occurrences)

Excommunication

Regard (230 Occurrences)

True (305 Occurrences)

Factions
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