G3859 G3859
constant friction, useless wrangling, persistent disputes
This rare compound noun denotes persistent friction or constant wrangling. Paul uses it in 1 Timothy to characterize false teachers: people engaging in 'constant frictions' or useless disputes. The term combines 'wearing away' or 'rubbing' with the idea of irritation or friction. It evokes the exhausting, unproductive nature of perpetual arguing—disputes that generate heat without light. The word suggests not one-off debates but chronic, habitual contention that wears everyone down.
Senses
1. sense 1 — 1 Timothy 6:5 describes corrupt teachers as marked by 'constant frictions,' perpetual disputes that exhaust and divide. The noun captures the sterile, repetitive nature of their controversies—not honest inquiry but endless quibbling. Paul warns Timothy against those whose minds are 'depraved and deprived of the truth,' whose teaching produces friction rather than faith. Such constant contention reveals corrupt hearts, not pure doctrine. 1×
AR["مُنازَعاتٌ"]·ben["ক্রমাগত-ঘর্ষণ"]·DE["unnuetzer-Streit"]·EN["constant-frictions"]·FR["διαπαρατριβαὶ"]·heb["חִכְּוּכֵי-מִדְוָנִים"]·HI["झगदे"]·ID["perselisihan-terus-menerus"]·IT["diaparatribai"]·jav["cekcok"]·KO["계속된-마찰이"]·PT["atritos"]·RU["пустые-споры"]·ES["roces-constantes"]·SW["mizozo-ya-daima"]·TR["sürtüşmeler"]·urd["برابر-کی-رگڑیں"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
Related to: διατρῐβή, ἡ, wearing away, especially of Time, way or manner of spending, χρόνου τε διατριβὰς.. ἐφηῦρε.. πεσσοὺς κύβους τε pastimes, Refs 5th c.BC+ __1 pastime, amusement, Refs 5th c.BC+materiem jocandi, Refs 1st c.AD+; place of amusement, Refs 4th c.BC+ __2 serious occupation, study, etc., τοὺς ἐν φιλοσοφίᾳ καὶ τῇ τοιᾷδε δ. τεθραμμένους Refs 5th c.BC+ __2.b discourse, τὰς ἐμὰς δ. καὶ…