Heresy

her ́e-si, her ́ē̇-si (αἵρεσις, haíresis, from verb αἱρέω, hairéō, “to choose”): The word has acquired an ecclesiastical meaning that has passed into common usage, containing elements not found in the term in the New Testament, except as implied in one passage. In classical Greek, it may be used either in a good or a bad sense, first, simply for “choice,” then, “a chosen course of procedure,” and afterward of various schools and tendencies. Polybius refers to those devoting themselves to the study of Greek literature as given to the Hellenikḗ haíresiš. It was used not simply for a teaching or a course followed, but also for those devoting themselves to such pursuit, namely, a sect, or assembly of those advocating a particular doctrine or mode of life. Thus, in Acts, the word is used in the Greek, where the King James Version and the Revised Version have “sect,” “sect of the Sadducees” (Acts 5:17), “sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5). In Acts 26:5 the Pharisees are called “the straitest hairesis (sect).” The name was applied contemptuously to Christianity (Acts 24:14; 28:22). Its application, with censure, is found in 1 Corinthians 11:19 margin; Galatians 5:20 margin, where it is shown to interfere with that unity of faith and community of interests that belong to Christians. There being but one standard of truth, and one goal for all Christian life, any arbitrary choice varying from what was common to all believers, becomes an inconsistency and a sin to be warned against. Ellicott, on Galatians 5:20, correctly defines “heresies” (King James Version, the English Revised Version) as “a more aggravated form of dichostasía” (the American Standard Revised Version “parties”) “when the divisions have developed into distinct and organized parties”; so also 1 Corinthians 11:19, translated by the Revised Version “factions.” In 2 Peter 2:1, the transition toward the subsequent ecclesiastical sense can be traced. The “destructive heresies” (Revised Version margin, the English Revised Version margin “sects of perdition”) are those guilty of errors both of doctrine and of life very fully described throughout the entire chapter, and who, in such course, separated themselves from the fellowship of the church.

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Author: International Std. Bible Encyclopedia

Keywords: Heresy, Heretic, Heretical, Sect, False teaching, False teacher, Doctrinal error, False doctrine, Faction

Source: James Orr (editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 5 volume set.

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