100 Bible Verses about Strife

2 Timothy 2:23-25 ESV / 487 helpful votes

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,

Proverbs 10:12 ESV / 442 helpful votes

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 369 helpful votes

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Proverbs 20:3 ESV / 329 helpful votes

It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.

James 3:14-16 ESV / 279 helpful votes

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Proverbs 29:22 ESV / 259 helpful votes

A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.

Galatians 5:19-21 ESV / 245 helpful votes

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Proverbs 26:20 ESV / 244 helpful votes

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

Proverbs 17:14 ESV / 241 helpful votes

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

Proverbs 28:25 ESV / 228 helpful votes

A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 220 helpful votes

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 22:10 ESV / 218 helpful votes

Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.

Proverbs 15:18 ESV / 202 helpful votes

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

James 4:1 ESV / 195 helpful votes

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

Matthew 18:15-17 ESV / 187 helpful votes

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Titus 3:1-3 ESV / 164 helpful votes

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

Proverbs 18:6 ESV / 160 helpful votes

A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.

Mark 3:24 ESV / 150 helpful votes

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Proverbs 13:10 ESV / 144 helpful votes

By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.

Romans 16:17 ESV / 140 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Romans 14:19 ESV / 140 helpful votes

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 136 helpful votes

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Proverbs 26:17 ESV / 135 helpful votes

Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.

Proverbs 30:33 ESV / 128 helpful votes

For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.

Proverbs 21:19 ESV / 126 helpful votes

It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

Proverbs 17:1 ESV / 125 helpful votes

Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.

1 Corinthians 3:3 ESV / 122 helpful votes

For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

Proverbs 17:19 ESV / 117 helpful votes

Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction.

Galatians 5:15 ESV / 112 helpful votes

But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Proverbs 26:21 ESV / 111 helpful votes

As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Proverbs 25:24 ESV / 107 helpful votes

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

Romans 12:18 ESV / 102 helpful votes

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Isaiah 58:4 ESV / 100 helpful votes

Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.

Romans 13:13 ESV / 99 helpful votes

Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.

Romans 2:8 ESV / 99 helpful votes

But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.

Mark 3:25 ESV / 96 helpful votes

And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.

Isaiah 41:11 ESV / 94 helpful votes

Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.

1 Timothy 1:5-7 ESV / 93 helpful votes

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

2 Corinthians 12:20 ESV / 93 helpful votes

For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

Deuteronomy 1:12 ESV / 92 helpful votes

How can I bear by myself the weight and burden of you and your strife?

Galatians 5:10 ESV / 89 helpful votes

I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.

Psalm 31:20 ESV / 86 helpful votes

In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.

James 3:14 ESV / 85 helpful votes

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

Habakkuk 1:3 ESV / 83 helpful votes

Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.

James 3:16 ESV / 80 helpful votes

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Philippians 2:14 ESV / 80 helpful votes

Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

Romans 14:1 ESV / 80 helpful votes

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

1 Timothy 2:8 ESV / 75 helpful votes

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

1 John 1:9 ESV / 73 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Proverbs 18:19 ESV / 73 helpful votes

A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

1 Timothy 6:4 ESV / 72 helpful votes

He is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,

2 Timothy 2:14 ESV / 69 helpful votes

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

Psalm 55:9 ESV / 67 helpful votes

Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city.

Philippians 2:2-3 ESV / 65 helpful votes

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Matthew 10:34-36 ESV / 64 helpful votes

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.

Romans 16:18 ESV / 63 helpful votes

For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Philippians 1:15 ESV / 62 helpful votes

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.

Galatians 5:20 ESV / 61 helpful votes

Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,

Proverbs 25:8 ESV / 60 helpful votes

Do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?

1 Peter 3:7 ESV / 59 helpful votes

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

1 Corinthians 6:1-7 ESV / 59 helpful votes

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, ...

Titus 3:9 ESV / 58 helpful votes

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

1 Corinthians 11:16-19 ESV / 57 helpful votes

If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God. But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.

Matthew 12:25 ESV / 56 helpful votes

Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.

Genesis 13:8 ESV / 56 helpful votes

Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.

Proverbs 27:15 ESV / 55 helpful votes

A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike;

1 Corinthians 1:10-13 ESV / 54 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Matthew 5:39-41 ESV / 54 helpful votes

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

Luke 12:58 ESV / 53 helpful votes

As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison.

1 Timothy 6:20 ESV / 51 helpful votes

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”

Matthew 5:25 ESV / 51 helpful votes

Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.

1 Timothy 3:3 ESV / 50 helpful votes

Not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

Romans 1:29 ESV / 50 helpful votes

They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,

Proverbs 28:13 ESV / 50 helpful votes

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Philippians 2:14-16 ESV / 49 helpful votes

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 49 helpful votes

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 6:12-14 ESV / 49 helpful votes

A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord;

Psalm 80:6 ESV / 49 helpful votes

You make us an object of contention for our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves.

Romans 14:1-23 ESV / 48 helpful votes

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ...

Proverbs 23:29 ESV / 48 helpful votes

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?

1 Timothy 6:3-5 ESV / 47 helpful votes

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

Luke 11:17 ESV / 47 helpful votes

But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.

Isaiah 41:12 ESV / 47 helpful votes

You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all.

Proverbs 19:13 ESV / 47 helpful votes

A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife's quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.

James 5:12 ESV / 46 helpful votes

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 46 helpful votes

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

1 Corinthians 4:7 ESV / 46 helpful votes

For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

James 4:2 ESV / 45 helpful votes

You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

1 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 45 helpful votes

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

1 Corinthians 11:16 ESV / 44 helpful votes

If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

Romans 14:21 ESV / 44 helpful votes

It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 43 helpful votes

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Titus 2:11-12 ESV / 41 helpful votes

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Mark 9:34 ESV / 41 helpful votes

But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.

Genesis 13:7 ESV / 40 helpful votes

And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.

1 Peter 2:11 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Luke 22:24 ESV / 37 helpful votes

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

Proverbs 15:17 ESV / 37 helpful votes

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

Proverbs 19:5 ESV / 36 helpful votes

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

1 Corinthians 1:11 ESV / 33 helpful votes

For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.

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