φιλόνεικος
philóneikos
G5380 predicate adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Fond of strife or eager to engage in quarrels; describes a person who actively seeks out conflict, is combative, argumentative, or contentious in manner. The primary lexical meaning centers on having a disposition toward rivalry or disputes, with contextual nuances including someone who is quick to challenge others or prone to inciting discord.
Semantic Range
fond of strife, eager for conflict, contentious, quarrelsome, disposed to rivalry, given to dispute
Root / Etymology
From the combination of φίλος ('loving, fond of') and νῖκος ('strife, victory, contest'), literally 'fond of strife' or 'strife-loving'. The formation is characteristic of compounds patterned on φιλο- plus a noun, here indicating affection or disposition toward the specified quality (strife, contention).
Historical & Contextual Notes
The adjective φιλόνεικος is rare in extant Greek literature; when it appears, it refers to a person who enjoys conflict or is eager for disputes, often in a negative sense. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, such a person is seen as argumentative and not inclined toward harmonious relations. The term does not refer to public legal disputes (where other words like δίκη or ἔρις are used), but rather to a general disposition of contentiousness or a quarrelsome temper. In English versions, it is commonly rendered 'contentious' or 'quarrelsome,' but this may underplay the active, strife-seeking nature implied by the Greek. The noun νῖκος is not the common term for 'quarrel' (which would be νεῖκος or ἔρις), but by the time of the New Testament, νῖκος could stand for 'strife' as well as 'victory,' suggesting a blending of rivalry and argumentative spirit. The word is used in the New Testament (e.g., Titus 3:9), and is found in moralistic advice warning against attitudes disruptive to community life. It rarely appears in broader Koine sources, remaining relatively specialized.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from φίλος and (a quarrel; probably akin to νῖκος); fond of strife, i.e. disputatious:--contentious.
Root Family
φιλόνεικος (philoneikos) — fond of strife, loving rivalry, eager for dispute
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5380-01 |
φιλόνικος | philonikos | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
contentious | strife-loving | contentious | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5380-01 |
1 Corinthians 11:16 | φιλόνικος | philonikos | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
contentious | strife-loving | contentious |