"strictly, a choice or option; hence, a religious sect, faction; by implication, discord, contention"
Definition and meaning
strictly, a choice or option; hence, a religious sect, faction; by implication, discord, contention
In the original Greek the word is written: αἵρεσις
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of hairesis (G139) across the King James Bible.
Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him,(which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
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 of the Nazarenes:
But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
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, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
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Common questions
Strong's G139 (hairesis) is a Greek word that means: strictly, a choice or option; hence, a religious sect, faction; by implication, discord, contention It appears 9 times in the King James Bible.
The word hairesis (G139) appears 9 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G139 is hairesis, a Greek word defined as: strictly, a choice or option; hence, a religious sect, faction; by implication, discord, contention. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
hairesis is a Greek word found in the New Testament.