100 Bible Verses about Strife in the Church

Here are 100 Bible verses about strife in the church, curated from both the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible, King James Version, arranged from most to least relevant.

2 Corinthians 12:20 KJV

20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

Proverbs 29:22 KJV

22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 KJV

3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is …

Matthew 18:15-17 KJV

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear …

Proverbs 17:14 KJV

14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Romans 16:17 KJV

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

1 Corinthians 11:16-19 KJV

16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. 17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also …

Proverbs 20:3 KJV

3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

Matthew 18:15 KJV

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Matthew 18:16 KJV

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Matthew 5:23-24 KJV

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

1 John 4:1 KJV

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

James 4:1 KJV

1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

Galatians 6:1 KJV

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Proverbs 26:17 KJV

17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

Proverbs 26:20 KJV

20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

Proverbs 30:33 KJV

33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

Hebrews 12:15 KJV

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Galatians 5:19-21 KJV

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of …

Matthew 5:9 KJV

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

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Proverbs 22:10 KJV

10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

Titus 3:10 KJV

10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

Titus 3:10 KJV Image

Matthew 16:19 KJV

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Proverbs 28:25 KJV

25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.

Proverbs 10:12 KJV

12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Proverbs 10:12 KJV Image

Hebrews 13:17 KJV

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Philippians 2:1-30 KJV

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not …

Proverbs 15:18 KJV

18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

1 Corinthians 13:4 KJV

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

1 Corinthians 13:4 KJV Image

Proverbs 16:28 KJV

28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

Proverbs 16:28 KJV Image

Proverbs 15:1 KJV

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Ephesians 4:26 KJV

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

James 1:19-20 KJV

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Galatians 5:20 KJV

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 KJV

1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, …

Romans 12:18 KJV

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Acts 20:28 KJV

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Acts 5:29 KJV

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Matthew 18:1-35 KJV

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as …

1 Peter 3:1 KJV

1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

1 Peter 3:1 KJV Image

James 4:1-17 KJV

1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, …

James 1:19 KJV

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Philippians 2:3 KJV

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

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Ephesians 5:25 KJV

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Ephesians 4:15 KJV

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Proverbs 13:10 KJV

10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

1 John 4:19 KJV

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19 KJV Image

1 Timothy 5:19 KJV

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 KJV

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

1 Corinthians 3:3 KJV

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Proverbs 16:7 KJV

7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Proverbs 16:7 KJV Image

James 3:14-16 KJV

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

1 John 3:18 KJV

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

1 John 3:18 KJV Image

1 Peter 3:7 KJV

7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

James 1:2 KJV

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Ephesians 5:22-24 KJV

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Acts 17:11 KJV

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Acts 6:1-7 KJV

1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men …

Luke 17:3 KJV

3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

Luke 15:1-32 KJV

1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. 3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which …

Matthew 18:17 KJV

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Revelation 1:1 KJV

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

1 Peter 5:1-3 KJV

1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.

James 4:10 KJV

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

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James 4:7 KJV

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

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James 3:16 KJV

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

James 3:14 KJV

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

James 1:1-27 KJV

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. …

Hebrews 13:4 KJV

4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Hebrews 13:4 KJV Image

Hebrews 12:14 KJV

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

1 Timothy 5:20 KJV

20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

1 Timothy 1:1-20 KJV

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, …

Colossians 3:13 KJV

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Philippians 2:14-16 KJV

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Philippians 2:3-4 KJV

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, …

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV Image

Acts 2:1-47 KJV

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and …

John 13:35 KJV

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 3:16 KJV

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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Matthew 19:3-9 KJV

3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? …

1 John 5:4 KJV

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1 Peter 5:5 KJV

5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

James 4:6 KJV

6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Philippians 4:13 KJV

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13 KJV Image

Philippians 4:2-3 KJV

2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Ephesians 4:2 KJV

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Ephesians 4:2 KJV Image

1 Corinthians 5:9 KJV

9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

Romans 16:18 KJV

18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Romans 15:5 KJV

5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

Romans 14:19 KJV

19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Romans 14:19 KJV Image

Romans 12:17-21 KJV

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, …

John 13:34 KJV

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

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Matthew 18:15-35 KJV

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear …

Proverbs 21:19 KJV

19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

1 John 4:4 KJV

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

1 Timothy 3:2 KJV

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Proverbs 25:24 KJV

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.