Eritheia, definition
Eritheia, means literally, “working for hire,” and is from “erithos,” “one who works for hire;” it speaks of one who can be bought, or bribed. Some say it speaks of a self-seeking person, and selfishness. Others think it speaks of intrigue, factions, and party rivalry, a person whose allegiance can be bought for advantage. “Eritheia” occurs in Rom 2v8, 1Cor 12v20, Gal 5v20, Phil 1v16, 2v3, James 3v14,16. Bible translators translate “eritheia,” in many different ways, they translate it as strife, contention, selfish ambition, personal rivalry, selfishness, the partisan spirit; divided loyalties, for private ends, etc. Wordsworth says; “The word “eritheia” is from “erithos,” “a labourer for hire” (from root “erdo”), 1) “a mercenary;” and 2) one who “hires himself” to a cabal for “party purposes:” and therefore signifies, 3) “a venal partisan;” such as the “factions” of gladiators, and other ruffians hired by rival candidates at elections to intimidate the voters in the Roman forum. Hence “eritheia” signifies “venal partisanship.” Aristotle uses the verb “eritheuesthai,” to mean canvassing for office through hired partisans; it speaks of a man who seeks power for himself and his party for the very worst of motives, love of power and personal ambition, without any concern for the welfare of the people. Aristotle said that this practice could lead to revolutions.