Word Study for G2054 (ἔρις) | Strong's Concordance

éris /er'-is/ Ask about this word

Rootof uncertain affinity

Meaninga quarrel, i.e. (by implication) wrangling

KJV usagecontention, debate, strife, variance.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of éris — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word éris, represented by G2054, refers to a quarrel, contention, debate, strife, or variance. It appears 9 times across 9 unique verses in the Bible. This term consistently points to a state of conflict and wrangling that is contrary to a godly life.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G2054 is almost always presented within lists of vices and sinful behaviors that believers are warned to abandon. It is identified as a work of the flesh in Galatians, alongside things like hatred and idolatry Galatians 5:20. Paul points to the presence of strife and divisions among the Corinthians as evidence that they are still carnal 1 Corinthians 3:3. The word is also used to describe the contentions within the church at Corinth reported by the house of Chloe 1 Corinthians 1:11. In his letter to the Romans, Paul lists debate as a sin of a depraved mind Romans 1:29 and warns believers to walk honestly, not in strife and envying Romans 13:13.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the nature and context of G2054:

G2205 zēlos (envy/emulation): This word, meaning "jealousy" or "malice" in an unfavorable sense, is frequently paired with strife (Romans 13:13, 1 Corinthians 3:3). It often represents the internal motive that gives rise to external contention.
G2052 eritheía (strife/contention): Closely related, this term for "intrigue" or "faction" appears alongside G2054 in lists of sins, highlighting a spirit of selfish ambition and partisanship (2 Corinthians 12:20, Galatians 5:20).
G1370 dichostasía (division/sedition): Meaning "disunion" or "dissension," this is often the direct result of strife and contentions within a community 1 Corinthians 3:3.
G2214 zḗtēsis (question): Described as "a dispute or its theme," this term is linked to contentions that are "foolish," "unprofitable and vain," and should be avoided Titus 3:9.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G2054 is found in its consistent portrayal as a spiritual problem.

Indicator of Carnality: The presence of strife is a key sign of a carnal or fleshly mindset, standing in direct opposition to a life led by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:3, Galatians 5:20).
Threat to Unity: Contentions and debates are depicted as destructive forces within the church, undermining fellowship and the witness of believers (1 Corinthians 1:11, 2 Corinthians 12:20).
Source of Futility: When linked with "foolish questions" and "strifes of words," G2054 represents engagement in arguments that are spiritually empty, "unprofitable and vain," and lead away from faith (Titus 3:9, 1 Timothy 6:4).

Summary

In summary, G2054 éris is not merely a simple disagreement. It is a destructive state of quarrel and wrangling rooted in carnal motivations like envy. Scripture presents it as a serious threat to both individual spiritual health and the unity of the church, urging believers to avoid such behavior in favor of peace and godliness.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a noun and a verb across 10 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Nominative Singular Feminine 4×
Accusative Plural Feminine 1×
Accusative Singular Feminine 1×
Dative Singular Feminine 1×
Genitive Singular Feminine 1×
Nominative Plural Feminine 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Dative: The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 9 verses across 7 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Romans and 1 Corinthians (2 verses each); never once in the other 20.

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Philippians

1 Timothy

Titus

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.