Hairetikos (141 in Strong's Concordance) is an adjective in Ancient Greek that means to be factious—somebody who divides the church.
It is used once and the context is both negative and extremely alarming if you could be described as factious within the church. Paul writes that factious men and women should be warned once, twice, and then avoided because they are wicked, sinful, and self-condemned.
The implications are that being factious is not only sinful, but it is evidence that such a person hasn't embraced the truth about Christ.
Related Terms
The following terms are often used in connection with hairetikos:
haireó - to choose
hairesis - a self-imposed choice
hairetizó - to choose
Saddoukaios - a sect of Judaism
Pharisaios - a sect of Judaism
Nazóraios - a native from Nazarene
Usage
Hairetikos is used once in the New Testament. Below is the only reference to hairetikos in the Bible.
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him...
Titus 3:10 ESV
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