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αἵρεσις

haíresis

G139 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A deliberate choosing, a choice or option taken. In specific contexts, denotes a group formed around a chosen conviction or set of practices; by extension in Hellenistic, Jewish, and early Christian usage, a faction, school, or party—occasionally used pejoratively for a sectarian division.

Semantic Range

choice, selection, act of choosing; philosophical school, party, faction, distinct group; religious sect; (later, negatively) party spirit, division, schism, heresy

Root / Etymology

From the verb αἱρέομαι (to take, to choose, to prefer), based on the root αἱρ-.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, αἵρεσις originally means simply 'a taking' or 'choice.' By the Hellenistic period, the term comes to designate a philosophical school or party, e.g., the Stoics, Epicureans, or Peripatetics, as groups formed by shared purpose or doctrine. In Jewish and Second Temple Hellenistic contexts (including Josephus and Philo), αἵρεσις is used for religious parties or movements among Israelites and Judeans, such as the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. In the Septuagint, the term is rare but may connote groupings or factions. In the New Testament, αἵρεσις most often refers neutrally to a party, school, or group (Acts 5:17; 15:5; 26:5), including the Pharisees and Sadducees or, from an outsider perspective, the followers of Jesus as a distinctive group. Occasionally, it is used negatively for divisions or schisms arising in a community (1 Corinthians 11:19; Galatians 5:20), anticipating later Christian usage where 'heresy' denotes deviation from established doctrine. However, 'heresy' with its later, highly negative connotations is anachronistic for most NT uses; standard English translations ('sect,' 'party,' 'faction') may better reflect the period sense. The term's range overlaps with σχίσμα (schism) but with more emphasis on a body of belief and self-identification.

Translation Consistency

primary "group" 2 occurrences

In most New Testament contexts αἵρεσις refers to a formed party or school (sect/faction). For SIBI I prioritize a natural, neutral English word that covers 'sect, faction, party, school' without importing a pejorative tone. 'Group' is broad, natural-sounding, and can be used consistently for all forms while preserving the typical sense of a gathered or organized set of people or convictions.

Alternatives (7 occurrences):
"sect" (3x) "factions" (3x) "chosen faction" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from αἱρέομαι; properly, a choice, i.e. (specially) a party or (abstractly) disunion:--heresy (which is the Greek word itself), sect.

Root Family

αἵρεσις (hairesis) — choice, selection, party, faction, sect

Root αἱρ- to take, to choose

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G139-01 αἱρέσεις aireseis N ACC F PL heresies factions factions 3
G139-02 αἱρέσεως aireseos N GEN F SG sect of a chosen faction sect 3
G139-03 αἵρεσιν airesin N ACC F SG sect a chosen faction a chosen group 2
G139-04 αἵρεσις airesis N NOM F SG sect chosen faction chosen faction 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G139-04 Acts 5:17 αἵρεσις airesis N NOM F SG sect chosen faction chosen faction
G139-02 Acts 15:5 αἱρέσεως aireseos N GEN F SG sect of a chosen faction sect
G139-02 Acts 24:5 αἱρέσεως aireseos N GEN F SG sect of a chosen faction sect
G139-03 Acts 24:14 αἵρεσιν airesin N ACC F SG sect a chosen faction a chosen group
G139-03 Acts 26:5 αἵρεσιν airesin N ACC F SG sect a chosen faction a chosen group
G139-02 Acts 28:22 αἱρέσεως aireseos N GEN F SG sect of a chosen faction sect
G139-01 1 Corinthians 11:19 αἱρέσεις aireseis N ACC F PL factions factions factions
G139-01 Galatians 5:20 αἱρέσεις aireseis N NOM F PL heresies factions factions
G139-01 2 Peter 2:1 αἱρέσεις aireseis N ACC F PL heresies factions factions
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