αἵρεσις
ahiresis
sect
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
SupportedThe Greek word αἵρεσις, or "ahiresis," is defined as "sect." It appears nine times in the Bible, indicating its significance in describing various groupings or divisions within the ancient Greco-Roman world. The word's usage suggests that αἵρεσις can refer to a group of people who share a distinct set of beliefs or practices, often in contrast to the majority or established norms. This could imply a sense of separation, opposition, or even factionalism. Its range within the biblical text covers interactions between different social, cultural, and philosophical groups. Given its frequency and range of usage, αἵρεσις likely held considerable importance in the ancient context, highlighting the complexities of social identity, belonging, and allegiance within the Mediterranean world.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
9 total occurrences across the text
But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy
Acts 15:5But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
Acts 24:5For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
Acts 24:14But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;
Acts 26:5having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
Acts 28:22But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”
1 Corinthians 11:19For there also must be factions among you, that those who are approved may be revealed among you.
Galatians 5:20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies,
2 Peter 2:1But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.