Understanding διχοστασία (dichostasia) Strong’s G1370: The Dangerous Division that Threatens Kingdom Unity

Pronunciation Guide: dee-kho-stah-SEE-ah

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1370: Διχοστασία (dichostasia) refers to division, dissension, or standing apart. It describes a state of discord where people who should be united have become separated by disagreement or conflict. This term conveys the harmful reality of fractured relationships within a community that was intended to function as one body. In the biblical context, it specifically warns against the destructive power of division within the Body of Messiah.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Noun (feminine)
• Root Words: δίχα (dicha, “apart”) + στάσις (stasis, “standing”)
• Language Origin: Compound Greek word
• Primary Usage: Found in apostolic teaching and ethical instruction
• Semantic Field: Conflict, disunity, faction

Διχοστασία Morphology:

• διχοστασία (nominative singular) – division, dissension
• διχοστασίας (genitive singular) – of division
• διχοστασίᾳ (dative singular) – in/with division
• διχοστασίαν (accusative singular) – division (direct object)
• διχοστασίαι (nominative plural) – divisions
• διχοστασιῶν (genitive plural) – of divisions
• διχοστασίαις (dative plural) – in/with divisions
• διχοστασίας (accusative plural) – divisions (direct object)

Origin & History

The term διχοστασία emerges from classical Greek usage where it described political factions and civil strife. Aristotle used related terms in his “Politics” when discussing conditions that lead to the downfall of constitutions, particularly when describing factional conflicts. The word’s compound nature (δίχα + στάσις) literally paints the picture of “standing apart” or “standing twice,” vividly conveying the image of people who should be united but have positioned themselves in opposition to one another.

In the Septuagint, while the exact term διχοστασία does not appear frequently, related concepts of division and dissension are addressed through other vocabulary. The concern for unity among God’s people traces back to the Torah, where division within Israel was seen as a serious threat to covenant community. By the time of the New Testament, the term had taken on specific religious significance in addressing threats to the unity of the early messianic communities.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Factional Division – The creation of opposing groups within what should be a unified community
• Dissension – Active disagreement that leads to separation and conflict
• Sedition – Incitement to resist established authority, especially in a religious context
• Standing Apart – The physical and relational separation that results from disagreement

Διχοστασία Translation Options:

• Divisions – Emphasizes the result of the separation process; highlights the fractured state of the community
• Dissensions – Focuses on the active disagreement aspect; captures the ongoing nature of the conflict
• Factions – Stresses the formation of opposing groups; emphasizes the “taking sides” element
• Discord – Highlights the relational and emotional aspects of the division; captures the disharmony created
• Schisms – Underscores the formal separation that results; particularly appropriate in ecclesiastical contexts

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, διχοστασία appears in contexts that consistently warn against its destructive power. Its first appearance in Romans 16:17 comes as Paul concludes his letter with a stern warning to watch out for those who cause divisions. The term is always presented as something to be avoided, recognized as a work of the flesh in Galatians 5:20 that stands in direct opposition to the fruit of the Spirit.

What makes διχοστασία particularly concerning in biblical usage is its association with false teaching and personal agendas that contradict the gospel. The Apostle Paul treats it as a serious threat to the health and mission of the messianic community. In both contexts where it appears, διχοστασία is presented as something that believers must actively resist and overcome through commitment to sound doctrine and spiritual maturity.

• “Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions [διχοστασίας] and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned, and turn away from them.” Romans 16:17
• “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions [διχοστασίαι], divisions…” Galatians 5:19-20

Cultural Insights

In the Greco-Roman world of the first century, factional divisions were a common political reality. City-states and later Roman provinces often experienced significant internal conflicts as different groups vied for power and influence. The term διχοστασία would have immediately evoked images of civil strife and political upheaval for Paul’s audience. By using this politically charged term in a religious context, Paul was drawing a powerful parallel between the destructive nature of political factions and the equally dangerous divisions within the messianic community.

Jewish history also provided ample examples of the destructive power of internal division. By the time of Yeshua’s ministry, Judaism had splintered into several distinct sects (Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots), each with their own interpretation of Torah and approach to Roman occupation. The Jewish historian Josephus attributed the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE partly to the internal divisions among the Jewish people. Against this backdrop, Paul’s warnings about διχοστασία would have resonated deeply with Jewish believers who understood the catastrophic consequences of a divided community.

Theological Significance

Διχοστασία stands in direct opposition to God’s redemptive plan for creation. From the creation narrative onward, Scripture presents God as bringing order from chaos, unity from division, and reconciliation from estrangement. In the Garden of Eden, the first human division occurred when Adam and Eve were separated from God through sin. The subsequent human history is marked by increasing division, culminating in the Tower of Babel narrative where linguistic and cultural divisions fragmented humanity. Against this backdrop, God’s covenant with Abraham initiated a restoration plan to bring blessing to “all families of the earth” (Genesis 12:3).

The Messiah’s work directly addresses the problem of διχοστασία. Yeshua’s high priestly prayer in John 17 reveals His passionate concern for unity among His followers. The cross itself is described as breaking down the “dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14), reconciling both Jew and Gentile to God in one body. When believers engage in διχοστασία, they actively work against the reconciling purposes of God in Messiah and grieve the Holy Spirit who was given to unite the Body. This explains why Paul lists διχοστασία among the works of the flesh that stand in opposition to the fruit of the Spirit.

Personal Application

Examining διχοστασία challenges us to become agents of unity rather than division in our communities. We must honestly assess our own hearts and actions: Do we contribute to unity or division? Do we prioritize our preferences and opinions over the health of the Body? The presence of διχοστασία often indicates spiritual immaturity and self-centeredness that must be confronted through repentance and renewed commitment to the mind of Messiah.

In practical terms, overcoming διχοστασία requires developing spiritual discernment to distinguish between essential doctrine and matters of personal preference. While we must stand firm on core gospel truths, we must also embrace the principle of “in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.” When disagreements arise, we are called to address them with gentleness and respect, always seeking reconciliation and mutual understanding rather than victory in debate. By cultivating the fruit of the Spirit—particularly love, patience, kindness, and gentleness—we actively resist the divisive tendencies of our flesh and contribute to the unity for which our Messiah prayed.

Related Words

• σχίσμα (schisma) [SKIZ-mah] – a split, rent, division; refers to a more complete separation or tear than διχοστασία, often describing the end result of unresolved division. See G4978
• αἵρεσις (hairesis) [HAY-reh-sis] – a chosen opinion, sect, faction; emphasizes the ideological dimension of division, where people choose a particular set of beliefs that separate them from others. See G139
• μερισμός (merismos) [meh-ris-MOS] – a dividing, division; focuses on the act of partitioning or separating something that was previously unified. See G3311
• διχοστατέω (dichostateo) [dee-kho-stah-TEH-oh] – to stand apart, be divided; the verbal form related to διχοστασία, emphasizing the active process of division. See G1370
• μάχη (mache) [MAH-khay] – a fight, battle, controversy; describes the open conflict that often results from division. See G3163

Did You Know?

• Did you know that in ancient Greek city-states, διχοστασία often preceded civil war? The term was used to describe the dangerous political factions that formed before actual armed conflict broke out. This historical context helps us understand why Paul treated divisiveness in the messianic community with such urgent concern – he recognized it as the precursor to complete rupture of fellowship.
• Did you know that during the rabbinic period, the concept of מחלוקת (machloket, “division”) was distinguished between “arguments for the sake of Heaven” and “arguments not for the sake of Heaven”? The former were considered productive and even holy, while the latter were condemned as destructive. This distinction helps us understand that not all disagreement constitutes sinful διχοστασία – the motivation and manner of disagreement matters greatly.
• Did you know that the modern Greek word διχοστασία still carries strong political connotations in Greece today? It appears in discussions about political polarization and partisan division, maintaining its ancient connection to civil strife. This ongoing usage reminds us that the dangers of division that Paul warned about continue to threaten communities in our modern world.

Remember This

Διχοστασία reveals the heart’s rebellion against God’s design for unity, but through the power of the cross and the work of the Holy Spirit, what was once divided can be restored to reflect the perfect unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.