Variance, in a biblical context, refers to a state of disagreement, conflict, or discord among individuals or groups. It is often associated with strife and contention, which are contrary to the unity and peace that God desires for His people. The concept of variance is addressed in several passages throughout the Bible, highlighting its negative impact on relationships and communities.

Biblical References:

1. Galatians 5:19-21 · In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul lists variance as one of the "works of the flesh." He writes, "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" . Here, variance is associated with discord and divisions, which are seen as obstacles to living a life led by the Spirit.

2. Proverbs 6:16-19 · The Old Testament also addresses the issue of discord among people. Proverbs lists "six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him," including "a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers" . This passage underscores the seriousness with which God views actions that lead to variance and division.

3. James 3:14-16 · The Epistle of James warns against harboring bitter envy and selfish ambition, which can lead to disorder and every evil practice. "But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice" . Variance, in this context, is linked to jealousy and selfishness, which disrupt harmony and peace.

Theological Implications:

Variance is seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature that opposes the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Christians are called to live in unity and peace, reflecting the character of Christ in their interactions with others. The presence of variance indicates a departure from these virtues and a need for repentance and reconciliation.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to pursue peace and unity within the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:3 urges Christians to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" . This involves actively working to resolve conflicts, practicing forgiveness, and fostering an environment of mutual respect and love. By doing so, the church can serve as a witness to the transformative power of the Gospel in overcoming variance and promoting harmony.1. (n.) Change of condition; variation.

2. (n.) Difference that produce dispute or controversy; disagreement; dissension; discord; dispute; quarrel.

3. (n.) A disagreement or difference between two parts of the same legal proceeding, which, to be effectual, ought to agree, -- as between the writ and the declaration, or between the allegation and the proof.

1369. dichazo -- to cause a separation, separate, fig. alienate
... alienate. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: dichazo Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-khad'-zo) Short Definition: I set at variance, make to be hostile Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1369.htm - 6k

2054. eris -- strife
... contention, debate, strife. Of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, ie (by implication)
wrangling -- contention, debate, strife, variance. (erides) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2054.htm - 6k

800. asumphonos -- dissonant, discordant
... Transliteration: asumphonos Phonetic Spelling: (as-oom'-fo-nos) Short Definition:
dissonant, discordant Definition: dissonant, discordant; met: at variance. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/800.htm - 6k

How those that are at Variance and those that are at Peace are to ...
... How those that are at variance and those that are at peace are to be admonished.
(Admonition 23.) Differently to be admonished are ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxii how those that.htm

Whether the Will is Evil when it is at Variance with Erring Reason ...
... OF THE GOODNESS AND MALICE OF THE INTERIOR ACT OF THE WILL (TEN ARTICLES) Whether
the will is evil when it is at variance with erring reason? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the will is evil.htm

He Proceeds to Show that There is no "Variance" in the Essence of ...
... Section 8. He proceeds to show that there is no "variance" in the essence of the
Father and the Son: wherein he expounds many forms of variation and harmony ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 8 he proceeds to.htm

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who ...
... CHAPTER VII He does battle for the faith; he restores peace among those who were
at variance; he takes in hand to build a stone church. 57. (32). ...
/.../chapter vii he does battle.htm

Of the Question Whether Mark's Reports of the Repeated Occasions ...
... III."Of the Question Whether Mark's Reports of the Repeated Occasions on Which the
Name of Peter Was Brought into Prominence are Not at Variance with the ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter iii of the question whether.htm

Faustus Objects to the Incarnation of God on the Ground that the ...
... Faustus objects to the incarnation of God on the ground that the evangelists are
at variance with each other, and that incarnation is unsuitable to deity. ...
/.../faustus objects to the incarnation.htm

The Error of Seneca in Philosophy, and How the Speech of ...
... Of the False Wisdom of Philosophers. Chap. XV."The Error of Seneca in Philosophy,
and How the Speech of Philosophers is at Variance with Their Life. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xv the error of seneca.htm

After the Synod of Alexandria, Eusebius Proceeding to Antioch ...
... Chapter IX."After the Synod of Alexandria, Eusebius proceeding to Antioch finds
the Catholics at Variance on Account of Paulinus' Consecration; and having ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter ix after the synod of.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... the beginning of the world, to put asunder what God hath joined together; to separate
inward from outward religion; to set one of these at variance with the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 27 upon our lords.htm

Whether the Will is Good when it Abides by Erring Reason?
... For just as the will, when at variance with the reason, tends to that which reason
judges to be evil; so, when in accord with reason, it tends to what reason ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the will is good.htm

Variance (1 Occurrence)
... the proof. Multi-Version Concordance Variance (1 Occurrence). Matthew
10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father ...
/v/variance.htm - 7k

Mediator (7 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary One who intervenes between two persons who are
at variance, with a view to reconcile them. This word is ...
/m/mediator.htm - 42k

Differ (7 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To have a difference, cause of variance, or quarrel; to dispute; to contend.
4. (vt) To cause to be different or unlike; to set at variance. ...
/d/differ.htm - 8k

Mediation
... 2. (a.) Hence, specifically, agency between parties at variance, with a view
to reconcile them; entreaty for another; intercession. Int. ...
/m/mediation.htm - 38k

Peacemaker (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who makes peace by reconciling parties that
are at variance. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PEACEMAKER. ...
/p/peacemaker.htm - 7k

Reconcile (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To cause to be friendly again; to conciliate anew; to restore to friendship;
to bring back to harmony; to cause to be no longer at variance; as, to ...
/r/reconcile.htm - 29k

Variation (1 Occurrence)

/v/variation.htm - 7k

Variableness (1 Occurrence)

/v/variableness.htm - 6k

Violence (98 Occurrences)
... The difference in wording in Matthew and Luke further complicates the problem, and,
in consequence, scholars are widely at variance as to the proper ...
/v/violence.htm - 38k

What is the Greek Orthodox Church? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Lutheran Church, and what do Lutherans believe? | GotQuestions.org

How can I be a good Christian? | GotQuestions.org

Variance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus