“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, STRIFE …” Galatians 5:19-20, with today’s “key word” capitalized.

Let’s talk about “strife,” which is not to be practiced by us Christians! It is a product, an effort, of the flesh, apart from the Holy Spirit of God.

Remember that “variance,” a deviancy we’ve already studied here in Paul’s list, is the little Greek noun “eris!” It means “contention, debate,” and the like. Sounds a lot like “strife” to me! 

But “eritheia” in Greek (the actual word for “strife”) is more picturesque. My laptop software (no commentaries yet consulted) immediately tells me the word means “campaigning for office!”  A spirit of electioneering! Furthermore, “a desire to put one’s self-interest forward!”

It is “strife” for sure, but only because of someone’s great big EGO. Remember Proverbs 13:10, “Only by PRIDE cometh CONTENTION: but with the well advised is wisdom.”

Wow!

Strife … “selfish ambitions” says another scholar. “Base self-seeking” says another.

I am told “eritheia” comes from “erithos,” the Greek word for “hireling!” Doing what one does “for reward, money, gain!” (One preacher I studied says: “There is not a very big difference between working for pay and working ONLY for pay!)

Sounds bad!

This (“strife”) then is not necessarily the sin of always putting everyone down, sheer hatred … but rather of always exalting oneself! Sheer pride!

But now, for a second, how does Paul use the word elsewhere in the Bible?

I think Philippians 2:3 is the best teaching illustration. “Let nothing be done through STRIFE (“eritheia”) or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

The solution to “eritheia?” Ah, “lowliness of mind!” Esteeming one’s brothers and sisters in Christ “better” than oneself!

Wow!

Yes, we have clearly shifted from sexual sins to social sins, that’s for sure! And this sort of contentious “campaigning” occurs way too often in our Churches!

One more “solution” verse … “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” Romans 12:10, where “preferring” actually means “letting someone else go first!”

Lord, help us to obey!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell