The Greatest Heresy
Part of The Abundant Faith Team
What do you think would most people say is the greatest of all heresies? Maybe denying Christ’s deity? What about saying “God is dead”?
When we think of heretics, we think of people who believe weird things and mislead people. But what exactly is heresy? What really makes someone a heretic?
Here is something interesting; some of the newer translations don’t even contain the words heresy or heretic in them.
Among the often-used newer versions, (the NIV, the NASB, and the Living Bible), you can only find one reference to heresies. It’s in 2 Peter 2:1. (The NKJV also uses it 2 Peter 2:1 and in Galatians 5:20.) However, in the Authorized version of the King James Bible, the words heresies, heresy and heretic appear 5 times.
All 5 times, the words come from the same Greek word, hairesis or hairetikos which is where our words heresy and heretic come from in the English language. The new versions don’t translate these words the same way the KJV does.
Now, before you begin to think that I am about to go all “King James Only” on you, note also that the original Greek manuscripts actually use hairesis and hairetikos in them 10 times. This means that the KJV doesn’t translate these Greek words as heresy or heretic half of the times they appear.
What is going on here? Why aren’t these words being translated the way we would expect?
I’m glad you asked! Let’s look at the verses in question and by doing so, perhaps we can better understand what The Greatest Heresy is. We also will uncover the real nature of those who are truly are heretics.
The Verses
2 Peter 2:1-2 NKJV
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.
This verse is THE verse where the Greek word hairesis is almost universally translated heresies in almost all translations. And, the way this verse is translated, it gives us the feeling that false teaching is the biggest thing to be careful to avoid.
I did, however, find another translation that translates it differently and over the years, I have become a big fan of Young’s Literal Translation. Here is how it reads:
And there did come also false prophets among the people, as also among you there shall be false teachers, who shall bring in besides destructive sects, and the Master who bought them denying, bringing to themselves quick destruction…
Did you see the word “sects” instead of heresies in this translation? Do you know what a sect is?
Well, let’s let the scripture itself help us understand the word sect.
Acts 5:17-18 KJV
Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.
Acts 15:5 KJV
But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them…
Notice the use of the word sect in these two passages. It’s a translation of the Greek word hairesis.
It’s also used in this verse where Paul is speaking:
Acts 24:14 NKJV
But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.
Note that Paul says that some call Christianity a sect. The inference Paul is making is that Christianity should not be a sect.
Do you know what the Sadducees and the Pharisees had in common? Exclusivity! They were good at excluding people. To be one of them you had to be special. They were the elite and not just anyone can be elite!
Consider to this verse:
Galatians 5:19-21 NIV
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The word translated “factions” in this passage is the Greek word hairesis.
Factions are exclusive groups. This is something that we should be aware of and make effort to avoid.
Next, let’s think about what Paul says to the Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 11:17-19 NKJV
Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.
The “approved” are those who bring unity. Those who bring divisions are the problem.
Yes, sometimes this is accomplished by false teachings but heresy is less about doctrine and more about using doctrine to separate God’s family.
Heresy Hunters
Perhaps you haven’t noticed this (and good for you if you haven’t) but there are a lot of people out there these days that are heresy hunters. They expend lots of time and energy telling everyone who they think are false teachers.
They make it sound like they are protectors of the truth but in many cases; they are just dividing the flock of God into factions and figuring out who they can exclude. Their goal, especially on the internet, is to gather a following for themselves. What is not their goal is bringing God’s people together.
Titus 3:9-11 NKJV
But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
The words “divisive man” is translated heretic in the KJV. It’s the Greek word hairetikos.
There are plenty of things to have foolish disputes about. Just because we don’t have perfect agreement about everything doesn’t mean that we can’t have unity of the Spirit. We should be, “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)
Ask yourself this question: “Who do I know that has all their doctrinal ducks all perfectly in a row?
Do you think anyone has perfect understanding of everything? We are going to have differences but we should make every effort to bring people together rather than find ways to separate from them over stupid stuff.
The heretic isn’t the person who hasn’t got perfect doctrine. (I sincerely doubt any of us do.) The heretic is a person who wants to use doctrine to separate people and exclude those who aren’t as “enlightened” as they think they are!
Romans 14:1-4 NKJV
Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
This verse stood out to me at a young age. I have noticed over the years that far too much of what Christians divide over fits into the category of “doubtful things”.
It’s especially foolish and heretical to divide up into little factions and then make judgements about those not in our group.
There are times when some well-known ministries have done some questionable things. My attitude has always been Romans 14:4. “Who am I to judge God’s servant?” He stands before God who knows every detail, not just the stuff published on the internet! And if God ultimately makes him stand, I certainly don’t want to be opposing him lest I find myself opposing God.
Sometimes someone will ask me what my opinion is of a certain ministry. Usually, I don’t have one. I don’t have time to make one. I’m too focused on the ministry God has given me. I really don’t have enough time to form an opinion about someone else’s ministry.
Unfortunately, there are some heresy hunters who seem to have no ministry other than pointing out the weaknesses of others. These are the real heretics. And their ministry is the real heresy.
Division is the greatest heresy and dividers are the real heretics. I am not saying there will never be necessary divisions but beware of those who’s ministries promote them and whose lives are filled with them!
One Final Thought
Matthew 7:2 NKJV
For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
These words from Jesus should be very sobering. Good kingdom people can make bad mistakes. (Remember King David and Bathsheba?) We should be VERY careful when we pass judgement and measure the failures of others.
Galatians 6:1 NKJV
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
We should all be cognizant that lots of well-meaning people have let their offence get the best of them and have gone on to accuse others not realizing that they have become heretics with heresies of their own. That is the greatest heresy!
