Haíresis — G139

Definition

feminine noun

properly, a choice, i.e. (specially) a party or (abstractly) disunion

1. (from αἱρέω), act of taking, capture
2. (from ἁιρέομαι), choosing, choice, very often in secular writings
3. that which is chosen, a chosen course of thought and action
4. a body of men separating themselves from others and following their own tenets (a sect or party)
5. dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aims

Usually translated as

sect, heresy

Origin

from G138

• hairéomai (G138)

Occurrences

Haíresis occurs 9 times in the King James.

Distribution of the word across the Bible: Acts (6), 1 Corinthians (1), Galatians (1), 2 Peter (1)

• Acts 5:17 — Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect (αἵρεσις) of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
• Acts 15:5 — But there rose up certain of the sect (αἱρέσεως) of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
• Acts 24:5 — For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect (αἱρέσεως) of the Nazarenes:
• Acts 24:14 — But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy (αἵρεσιν), so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
• Acts 26:5 — Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect (αἵρεσιν) of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
• Acts 28:22 — But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect (αἱρέσεως), we know that every where it is spoken against.
• 1 Corinthians 11:19 — For there must be also heresies (αἱρέσεις) among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
• Galatians 5:20 — Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies (αἱρέσεις),
• 2 Peter 2:1 — But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies (αἱρέσεις), even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.