Schism

copied from http://www.keyway.ca/htm2009/20090808.htm

by Wayne Blank

See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

The English word "schism," which has come to mean a separation, is derived from a Greek word, pronounced sk-his-mah, which means division, although not necessarily a physical separation. It actually means dissension within a group, which may or may not cause physical parting. The King James Version uses "schism" only once:

"12:25 That there should be no schism [i.e. sk-his-mah] in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." (1 Corinthians 12:25-27 KJV)

"They which are approved may be made manifest among you"

The original Greek word was written in the Scriptures more than just the one time that the King James translates it as "schism." It is also variously translated as "division" and "rent" (i.e. to divide, or make apart), including by the King James itself which uses the two words in 1 Corinthians i.e. the KJV translates the single Greek word in three ways; "schism," "rent" and "division" or "divisions."

Notice in this example that the "division" was among those living together in the same house (see also Houses Of The Holy).

"1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions [i.e. sk-his-mah] among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul [i.e. Paul's Ministry]; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas [i.e. Peter's Ministry]; and I of Christ. 1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Corinthians)

The "divisions" described here also involved those of the same house - the House of God.

"11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions [i.e. sk-his-mah] among you; and I partly believe it. 11:19 For there must be also heresies [see Heretics] among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." (1 Corinthians 11:18-19 KJV)

In this verse, the King James translates the same Greek word as "rent." Christ's lesson here was that division must be healed, not merely covered up.

"9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent [i.e. sk-his-mah] is made worse." (Matthew 9:16 KJV)

The coming of The Son Of God was not a "new" religion. It was simply a matter of some of the people recognizing the long-awaited Messiah (see Israelite Monarchy - The Messiah), while others did not - often to a blasphemous extreme (see the verses quoted below). The same Greek word is here translated as "division."

"7:43 So there was a division [i.e. sk-his-mah] among the people because of him." (John 7:43 KJV)

"9:13 They brought to the Pharisees [see also Was Paul Among Them?] him that aforetime was blind. 9:14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 9:15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 9:16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day [see Did Jesus Break The Law?]. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division [i.e. sk-his-mah] among them." (John 9:13-16 KJV)

"10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. 10:19 There was a division [i.e. sk-his-mah] therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. 10:20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? 10:21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?" (John 10:17-21 KJV)

Fact Finder: Many Christian-professing people, and people in the true Church of God, have foolishly claimed to be the "leader" or the "head" of Christ's Church. Who are such people attempting to dethrone with their pompous and arrogant claims?