Are You A Strife-Lover?

Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them.

Luke 22:24

When I was in graduate school, I had to read through the entire New Testament in Greek. This was necessary preparation for my oral Greek exam, in which I would be asked to translate any New Testament passage on the spot, without access to a lexicon or other tools. This means that I have read every word in the Greek New Testament at least once.

Yet, every now and then, I come upon a word that I can’t remember seeing before. I’m afraid the last thirty years have stolen some of my graduate school Greek vocabulary from my brain. Some of these surprising words turn out to be provocative. Such is the case with a word in Luke 22:24.

Our translation says that the disciples of Jesus “began to argue among themselves.” The original language reads more literally, “And then a philoneikia happened among them.” Philoneikia can be translated as “argument” or “dispute.” But the word suggests something more than a contest of ideas. In classical Greek, philoneikia meant “love of strife” or “contentiousness.” The word combines the Greek word philos , meaning “friend” or “lover” with the word neikos (or neikia ) which means “quarrel, strife, feud.” By using philoneikia , Luke not only describes the facts—the disciples were —arguing but also shows us something of their spirits. They were, at least in this setting, what could be described as “strife-lovers.”

Some people seem to thrive on conflict. I have a good friend who is a pastor. He has had more fights with his church members than any other pastor I know personally. Yes, some of this has not been his fault. But, the truth is, my friend likes a good argument. He enjoys jousting with words. And he especially likes winning. But I also think there is something in his spirit that thrives on conflict. It energizes him and gives him a sense of his own self-righteousness.

To be sure, there are times when we need to stand up for what is true, times when we have no option besides strife. But, in general, we who follow Christ are to be peacemakers. We’re to turn the other cheek and walk the second mile. With a vision of God’s peace before us, there is no room for self-satisfied strife-loving in the community of Jesus.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: Are there times when you have been a strife-lover? When? Why? How can you become one who seeks the peace of God in your relationships?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, keep me from philoneikia. Keep me from being a lover of conflict. Help me to be one who seeks and extends your peace instead.

Yes, there will be times when conflict is inevitable, times even when I need to raise issues that might create relational tension. In these times, help me to be humble and wise. Give me the ability to say what is right without needing to win.

Wherever I am, Lord, in my workplace or my community, in my family or my church, in private or in public, may I seek your peace. Amen.