4978. schisma

Strong's Lexicon

schisma: Division, schism, split

Original Word: σχίσμα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: schisma
Pronunciation: SKHIS-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (skhis'-mah)
Definition: Division, schism, split
Meaning: a rent, as in a garment; a division, dissention.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb σχίζω (schizō), meaning "to split" or "to divide."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "schisma," the concept of division can be related to Hebrew words like פֶּרֶץ (perets, breach) or מַחֲלֹקֶת (machloqeth, division).

Usage: In the New Testament, "schisma" refers to a division or split within a group, often implying a discord or separation among people who were once united. It is used to describe both physical and metaphorical separations, particularly within the context of the early Christian community.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, unity and harmony were highly valued, especially within social and religious groups. The early Christian church, emerging in this context, faced challenges of maintaining unity amidst diverse cultural, ethnic, and theological backgrounds. The term "schisma" captures the tensions and divisions that could arise within the church, threatening its witness and mission.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from schizó
Definition
a split, fig. division
NASB Translation
division (4), divisions (2), tear (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4978: σχίσμα

σχίσμα, σχισματος, τό (σχίζω), a cleft, rent;

a. properly, a rent: Matthew 9:16; Mark 2:21 (Aristotle, Theophrastus).

b. metaphorically, a division, dissension: John 7:43; John 9:16; John 10:19; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 11:18; 1 Corinthians 12:25 (ecclesiastical writings (Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 2, 6 [ET], etc.; 'Teaching' 4, 3 [ET]; etc.)). (Cf. references under the word αἵρεσις, 5.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

division, schism.

From schizo; a split or gap ("schism"), literally or figuratively -- division, rent, schism.

see GREEK schizo

Forms and Transliterations

σχισμα σχίσμα σχισμάς σχισματα σχίσματα σχιστόν schisma schísma schismata schísmata

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 9:16 N-NNS
GRK: καὶ χεῖρον σχίσμα γίνεται
NAS: and a worse tear results.
KJV: and the rent is made
INT: and a worse tear takes place

Mark 2:21 N-NNS
GRK: καὶ χεῖρον σχίσμα γίνεται
NAS: and a worse tear results.
KJV: the old, and the rent is made worse.
INT: And worse a tear takes place

John 7:43 N-NNS
GRK: σχίσμα οὖν ἐγένετο
NAS: So a division occurred in the crowd
KJV: there was a division among
INT: A division therefore occurred

John 9:16 N-NNS
GRK: ποιεῖν καὶ σχίσμα ἦν ἐν
NAS: signs? And there was a division among
KJV: And there was a division among them.
INT: do And a division was among

John 10:19 N-NNS
GRK: Σχίσμα πάλιν ἐγένετο
NAS: A division occurred again
KJV: There was a division therefore again
INT: A division again there was

1 Corinthians 1:10 N-NNP
GRK: ἐν ὑμῖν σχίσματα ἦτε δὲ
NAS: and that there be no divisions among
KJV: no divisions among
INT: among you divisions you be moreover

1 Corinthians 11:18 N-ANP
GRK: ἐκκλησίᾳ ἀκούω σχίσματα ἐν ὑμῖν
NAS: I hear that divisions exist
KJV: that there be divisions among
INT: church I hear divisions among you

1 Corinthians 12:25 N-NNS
GRK: μὴ ᾖ σχίσμα ἐν τῷ
NAS: that there may be no division in the body,
KJV: there should be no schism in the body;
INT: not there might be division in the

Strong's Greek 4978
8 Occurrences

σχίσμα — 6 Occ.
σχίσματα — 2 Occ.