11 Bible Verses about Strife

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long over wine, Those who go to taste mixed wine.

For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,
But any fool will quarrel.

Like one who takes a dog by the ears
Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.

The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

Do not go out hastily to argue your case;
Otherwise, what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor humiliates you?

For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;

For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.

for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.

It is better to live in a desert land
Than with a contentious and vexing woman.

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.

A foolish son is destruction to his father,
And the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.

Therefore she said to Abraham, “Drive out this maid and her son, for the son of this maid shall not be an heir with my son Isaac.”

It is better to live in a corner of a roof
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

But the men of Israel answered the men of Judah and said, “We have ten parts in the king, therefore we also have more claim on David than you. Why then did you treat us with contempt? Was it not our advice first to bring back our king?” Yet the words of the men of Judah were harsher than the words of the men of Israel.

the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with the herdsmen of Isaac, saying, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him.

And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land.

And there occurred a great uproar; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”

How can I alone bear the load and burden of you and your strife?

The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,
But any fool will quarrel.

Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you? Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another, Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away.

Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.

for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it.

Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every kind of distress.

“Now so that your heart does not grow faint,
And you are not afraid at the report that will be heard in the land—
For the report will come one year,
And after that another report in another year,
And violence will be in the land
With ruler against ruler—

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end.

Then He continued by saying to them, "Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

“He will not cry out or raise His voice,
Nor make His voice heard in the street.

But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and He healed them all, and warned them not to tell who He was. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: read more.
"BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL is WELL-PLEASED; I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES. "HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT; NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.

and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" read more.
But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."] And they went on to another village.

Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?

Do not say, “I will repay evil”;
Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.

"But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. "If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.

Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.

Through insolence comes nothing but strife,
But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.

An arrogant man stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

For the churning of milk produces butter,
And pressing the nose brings forth blood;
So the churning of anger produces strife.

The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.

The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.

he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,

But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

An angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

An arrogant man stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.

Do not go out hastily to argue your case;
Otherwise, what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor humiliates you?

Do not contend with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.

You have delivered me from the contentions of the people;
You have placed me as head of the nations;
A people whom I have not known serve me.

“You have also delivered me from the contentions of my people;
You have kept me as head of the nations;
A people whom I have not known serve me.

So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers.

being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

A Psalm of David.
Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.

Do give heed to me, O Lord,
And listen to what my opponents are saying!

“If men have a quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but remains in bed,

“If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband may demand of him, and he shall pay as the judges decide.

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.

he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

Now the son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the sons of Israel; and the Israelite woman's son and a man of Israel struggled with each other in the camp. The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name and cursed. So they brought him to Moses. (Now his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.)

For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.

And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.

But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest.

And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, "Why had our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king and his household and all David's men with him over the Jordan?" Then all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, "Because the king is a close relative to us. Why then are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king's expense, or has anything been taken for us?" But the men of Israel answered the men of Judah and said, "We have ten parts in the king, therefore we also have more claim on David than you. Why then did you treat us with contempt? Was it not our advice first to bring back our king?" Yet the words of the men of Judah were harsher than the words of the men of Israel.

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long over wine, Those who go to taste mixed wine.

for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ."

but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?

How can I alone bear the load and burden of you and your strife?

Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you? Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another, Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

A perverse man spreads strife,
And a slanderer separates intimate friends.

For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out,
Even strife and dishonor will cease.

Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers all transgressions.

Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers all transgressions.

Through insolence comes nothing but strife,
But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.

An angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Why do You make me see iniquity, And cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises. Therefore the law is ignored And justice is never upheld For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted.

Like one who takes a dog by the ears
Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.

For the churning of milk produces butter,
And pressing the nose brings forth blood;
So the churning of anger produces strife.

The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

He who loves transgression loves strife;
He who raises his door seeks destruction.

Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers all transgressions.

For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out,
Even strife and dishonor will cease.

A perverse man spreads strife,
And a slanderer separates intimate friends.

The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

He who loves transgression loves strife;
He who raises his door seeks destruction.

Like one who takes a dog by the ears
Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.

Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out,
Even strife and dishonor will cease.

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with the herdsmen of Isaac, saying, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him.

Then Jacob became angry and contended with Laban; and Jacob said to Laban, “What is my transgression? What is my sin that you have hotly pursued me?

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. read more.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it
Than a house full of feasting with strife.

Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,
But any fool will quarrel.

A fool’s lips bring strife,
And his mouth calls for blows.

Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, "Why had our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king and his household and all David's men with him over the Jordan?" Then all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, "Because the king is a close relative to us. Why then are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king's expense, or has anything been taken for us?" But the men of Israel answered the men of Judah and said, "We have ten parts in the king, therefore we also have more claim on David than you. Why then did you treat us with contempt? Was it not our advice first to bring back our king?" Yet the words of the men of Judah were harsher than the words of the men of Israel.

And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land.

But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with the herdsmen of Isaac, saying, "The water is ours!" So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him. Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over it too, so he named it Sitnah. He moved away from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it; so he named it Rehoboth, for he said, "At last the LORD has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land."

“Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist.
You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high.

You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man;
You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.

As he said this, there occurred a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. And there occurred a great uproar; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, "We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" read more.
And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.

And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

Confuse, O Lord, divide their tongues,
For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

And the land could not sustain them while dwelling together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land.

Then the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, "Why did you cross over to fight against the sons of Ammon without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you." Jephthah said to them, "I and my people were at great strife with the sons of Ammon; when I called you, you did not deliver me from their hand. "When I saw that you would not deliver me, I took my life in my hands and crossed over against the sons of Ammon, and the LORD gave them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me this day to fight against me?" read more.
Then Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and fought Ephraim; and the men of Gilead defeated Ephraim, because they said, "You are fugitives of Ephraim, O Gileadites, in the midst of Ephraim and in the midst of Manasseh." The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan opposite Ephraim. And it happened when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, "Let me cross over," the men of Gilead would say to him, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he said, "No," then they would say to him, "Say now, 'Shibboleth.'" But he said, "Sibboleth," for he could not pronounce it correctly. Then they seized him and slew him at the fords of the Jordan. Thus there fell at that time 42,000 of Ephraim.

As he said this, there occurred a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.

A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words.

And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?

But Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the well of water which the servants of Abimelech had seized.

Then Jacob became angry and contended with Laban; and Jacob said to Laban, “What is my transgression? What is my sin that you have hotly pursued me?

And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.

Gilead’s wife bore him sons; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out and said to him, “You shall not have an inheritance in our father’s house, for you are the son of another woman.”

How can I alone bear the load and burden of you and your strife?