Definition and Nature:
Factiousness refers to the tendency to form factions or divisions within a group, often leading to discord and strife. In a biblical context, it is associated with behaviors that disrupt the unity of the church and the body of Christ. Factiousness is characterized by self-centeredness, pride, and a desire for power or recognition, which can lead to disputes and divisions among believers.

Biblical References:
The Bible addresses the issue of factiousness in several passages, warning against the dangers it poses to the unity and harmony of the Christian community. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently admonishes believers to avoid divisive behavior and to strive for unity.

1. Romans 16:17-18 :
"Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep 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."

In this passage, Paul warns the Roman church to be vigilant against individuals who cause divisions and to distance themselves from such people. He emphasizes that these individuals are motivated by selfish desires rather than a genuine commitment to Christ.

2. 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."

Here, Paul calls for unity among the Corinthian believers, urging them to be of one mind and purpose. He highlights the importance of agreement and harmony within the church to prevent divisions.

3. Galatians 5:19-21 :
"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

In this list of the works of the flesh, Paul includes factions and divisions, indicating that such behaviors are contrary to the Spirit-led life and are incompatible with inheriting the kingdom of God.

4. 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."

Paul instructs Titus to reject a person who persists in divisive behavior after being warned. This underscores the seriousness of factiousness and the need to protect the church from its harmful effects.

Theological Implications:
Factiousness is seen as a grave sin because it undermines the unity that Christ desires for His church. Jesus prayed for the unity of His followers in John 17:21, "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you." Factiousness opposes this divine intention by fostering division and conflict.

Practical Considerations:
Believers are called to pursue peace and unity within the church. This involves humility, selflessness, and a commitment to the truth of the Gospel. Church leaders are tasked with addressing factious behavior promptly and decisively to maintain the integrity and witness of the Christian community. The pursuit of unity should be grounded in love, as Paul writes in Ephesians 4:3 , "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Conclusion:
While factiousness poses a significant threat to the church, believers are equipped with the teachings of Scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to overcome it. By prioritizing unity and love, the church can reflect the oneness that Christ desires for His people.

Superiors Ought Carefully to Examine the Dispositions of those ...
... 6. A little devoutness will not serve to countervail ill inclinations to lying,
dissembling, factiousness, a humour of calumniating, &c.; for a great and scarce ...
/.../chapter viii superiors ought carefully.htm

Epistle Xlviii. Cyprian's Answer to Cornelius, Concerning the ...
... He it is who, without my leave or knowledge, of his own factiousness and ambition
appointed his attendant Felicissimus a deacon, and with his own tempest ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle xlviii cyprians answer to.htm

But Ithacius, Seeing How Much Ill-Will it Would Excite against Him ...
... especially of the bishops, while everything was corrupted by them through their
hatred, partiality, fear, faithlessness, envy, factiousness, lust, avarice ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter li but ithacius seeing.htm

A Third Motive to Resolution is the Danger of Tepidity...
... of enormous sins, yet they may be no less dangerous, because less corrigible, such
as are those spiritual sins of pride, murmuring, factiousness, envy, ambition ...
/.../chapter v a third motive.htm

Introduction
... to expose the vices of the tongue (iii.1-12), dosing with a passage on the true
wisdom of life (iii.13-18), as opposed to the factiousness and worldliness ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/introduction.htm

The First Epistle to the Corinthians
... There was a shallow intellectualism, coupled with a factiousness that was "the
inveterate curse of Greece." Lax morals and unseemly conduct disgraced its life. ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the first epistle to the.htm

Fifth Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to the Fruits of Faith.
... devil has no peace. If he cannot effect the destruction of that church by
factiousness, he furiously persecutes it. Then it is that ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/fifth sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

The Progress of Prelacy.
... In one case he complains that, "without his permission or knowledge," his presbyter
Novatus "of his own factiousness and ambition" had "made Felicissimus his ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter x the progress of.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... Detestable men, thoroughly and completely wicked, whose factiousness drove them
to such a pitch of fury that they tormented those who resolutely served God in ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

The Epistle of St. James
... means. It is out of keeping with the temper of bitter jealousy and rivalry
(ie party-spirit, selfish ambition, factiousness). Do ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of st james.htm

Factiousness (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Factiousness (1 Occurrence). Philippians 2:3 Do
nothing in a spirit of factiousness or of vainglory, but ...
/f/factiousness.htm - 6k

Facts (11 Occurrences)

/f/facts.htm - 9k

Factious (2 Occurrences)

/f/factious.htm - 7k

Excommunication
... It seems to have been incurred by heretical teaching (1 Timothy 1:20) or by
factiousness (Titus 3:10 (?)); but the most of the clear undoubted cases in the ...
/e/excommunication.htm - 15k

Regard (230 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:3 Do nothing in a spirit of factiousness or of vainglory, but, with
true humility, let every one regard the rest as being of more account than ...
/r/regard.htm - 36k

True (305 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:3 Do nothing in a spirit of factiousness or of vainglory, but, with
true humility, let every one regard the rest as being of more account than ...
/t/true%20.htm - 33k

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