Bible Dictionary
BRAWLER
A quarrelsome or contentious person. Scripture warns against brawling conduct, especially in domestic life and among those who serve as leaders in the church.
Definition
A brawler is a quarrelsome, contentious, or fighting person. The term describes conduct marked by strife and is especially applied to contentious domestic behavior and to disqualifying behavior in church leadership.
Biblical Usage
Proverbs 21:9 speaks of a contentious or brawling woman. The qualifications for a bishop include not being a brawler, and believers are instructed not to be contentious.
Historical Background
The underlying words include “quarrelsomeness” and “not fighting.” The entry distinguishes brawling from being given to wine in the interpretation of Titus 1:7.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>brol'-er (Qere midhyanim; Kethibh midhwanim, "quarrelsomeness"; amachos, "not fighting"): Spoken of the quarrelsome woman; "a contentious (the King James Version "brawling") woman" (Pr 21:9). He who seeks the office of a bishop should be "no brawler" (paroinos the King James Version "given to wine," Tit 1:7); "not contentious" (the King James Version "not a brawler," 1Ti 3:3; Tit 3:2).</p>