Please note that all Biblical quotes are presented from the Literal Translation.
This week we begin a two part study of the word αἵρεσις (Strong's #139) which means "heresy" or even the name of a "religious sect." Αἵρεσις comes from the verb αἱρὲω, "to take," or "remove." Only the middle voice of this verb (αἱρὲομαι, Strong's #138) is found in the New Testament. Αἱρὲομαι means "to choose, to elect, to prefer." This basic meaning of "to choose" is an important element in understanding the meaning behind "heresy."
In Classical Greek, αἵρεσις has two meanings. The first is "to take," or "remove." The second is "choice," or "selection." Αἵρεσις not only represents the choice, but also the "sect," or "group" which results from the choice.
Αἵρεσις is found five times in the Old Testament Greek Septuagint. The most notable are two instances found in Leviticus representing the "freewill offering" (choice) and another in Nehemiah where it is used to denote the two "sections" (groups) of the choir.
In the New Testament, αἵρεσις is found nine times. In the early usage of the word, αἵρεσις is used to describe the "sect" of the Sadducees in Acts 5:17. It is also used to describe the "sect" of the Pharisees in Acts 15:5; 26:5. Additionally, it is used of the "sect" of the Nazarenes in Acts 24:5. The Christians are called a sect by their Jewish opponents in Acts 24:14; 28:22. At the time of Paul's writings, αἵρεσις begins to reflect its basic meaning of a position or teaching contrary to the doctrine of the early church.
Different teachings are rampant in the early church, especially coming from Jews who are adherents to the Law. Paul, in expressing his amazement that believers would so quickly be attracted to teaching that was opposed to the Lord who called them, says in Galatians 1:6-9,
"I marvel that you are so quickly removing yourself from the One who has called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; which is not another, except some are the ones who are disturbing you, and desiring to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we ourselves or an angel from out of heaven should preach a gospel to you alongside of what we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, now also I say again, if anyone is preaching a gospel alongside of what you received, let him be accursed."
Paul observes that many believers are quickly removing themselves from the grace of the Gospel of Christ and turning to perverted forms of the Gospel, which are bringing them into bondage. To expose these false teachers and teachings, Paul presents the standard by which all teachings are to be judged. He says that if something is not what he, Paul, has preached, then that teaching is not the true Gospel of Christ. Both Paul and Peter would later use the word αἵρεσις to classify these false teachings as "heresy."
Peter writes his first letter to teach about attacks coming against the church from the world; but his second letter teaches about the threat coming against the church from within the church itself, namely false teaching. He says in 2 Peter 2:1,
"Now false prophets also came among the peopleF1, as also false teachers will be among you,F2 who will secretly bring in heresies (the plural form of αἵρεσις) of destruction, even while denying the Master who bought them, bringing to themselves swift destruction;"
In warning believers that the church will be attacked from within by people who are false teachers secretly bringing in heresies of destruction, Peter first tells how these false teachings will be brought in. He uses the Greek word παρεισὰγω (Strong's #3919), which means to lead something in secretly or undetected. He says that these heresies will be embedded in some form of truth in order to keep them from being detected. Next, he uses the word αἵρεσις to represent false teachings that produce destruction (ἀπὼλεια, Strong's #684) when followed.
In this study, we are laying the foundation for understanding the source and effect of false teachings that deceitfully adulterate the true teachings of the Christian faith. Paul and Peter both use αἵρεσις to represent false teaching, giving us a broad range of understanding of the concept of false teaching. Primarily, false teaching, or heresy, is born out of personal choice and belief. The subject of heresy can extend to any Christian teaching, even to misrepresentations about the history of the Bible. A "sect" or a "faction" (αἵρεσις) is a group made up of people who hold the same personal choices of belief. These people separate themselves from the rest of the Body of Christ with the philosophy that their personal choices of belief are right and that everyone else is wrong. However, when examined in the light of Scripture, their belief choices are seen to be aberrant from Biblically established truth.
Unfortunately, there are as many false teachers and teachings today as there were in the early church. Fortunately, we still have the voices of Paul and Peter to guide us in knowing Biblical truth. Therefore, take heed how you approach a teacher to obtain understanding of Christian doctrine. Do not ask what a teacher believes; instead, ask what the Bible teaches; then, do your homework and search the Scriptures to find if what you have been told has already been written there.
Next week we will study from God's Word that heresy is necessary in the church.
*HAIRESIS is the English font spelling of the Greek word αἵρεσις.
Technical Notes:
F1: The preposition ἐν with the dative τῷ͂λαῷ, "in the people" is translated μεταξὺ͂τοῦ͂λαοῦ, "among the people."
F2: The preposition ἐν with the dative ὑμῖν, "in you" is translated μεταχὺ͂σας, "among you."
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Bill Klein has been a pastor, counselor, and educator for the past 41 years. He has had extensive training and education in biblical languages, and has authored a Biblical Greek course.
He is currently serving as Professor of Biblical Greek at Master's Graduate School of Divinity, and president of BTE Ministries - The Bible Translation and Exegesis Institute of America, a non-profit organization located in California that provides Bible study tapes and Greek study materials through their website BTEMinistries.org.