ἀργέω (argeō)
argeō
be idle
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb argeō describes a state of idleness or inactivity, carrying the specific nuance of lingering or delaying. Derived from the root for "idle" or "leisurely," it conveys more than just being busy; it points to a purposeful pause or a refusal to act. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in 2 Peter 2:3.
Here, Peter uses argeō to describe how false teachers will use "wordy" arguments to exploit others. The context suggests their delay is not benign hesitation but a calculated stalling tactic, allowing them to maintain influence while avoiding accountability. This usage highlights the word’s weight: idleness here is an active obstruction of truth.
Translators often render this as "exploit with words," capturing the idea that their idle talk is a tool for gain. The sources note its rare occurrence, marking it as a precise descriptor for deceptive inaction rather than general laziness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word argeō appears only once in the New Testament, found in 2 Peter 2:3. It describes a specific kind of idleness that is not merely lazy, but active and deceptive. In this context, false teachers use long, flowing words to delay or obscure the truth, creating a pause that allows them to exploit others for gain. Their silence on accountability is a calculated move, not a moment of rest.
For your faith life, this word serves as a gentle warning against spiritual stall tactics. It reminds us that truth does not need elaborate delays to be valid. When we encounter teachings that seem designed to confuse or prolong uncertainty rather than bring clarity, we can look to the simplicity of Christ. God’s promises are direct and reliable, never hidden behind layers of unnecessary delay.
May you find peace in the clarity of Scripture. Let your heart rest in the assurance that God’s word is present and active, requiring no excuses or long-winded justifications to be effective in your life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- is idle1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀργεῖ1×
Key Verses
-
II Peter 2:3
In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn’t linger, and their destruction will not slumber.
This verse uniquely uses argeō to describe how false teachers delay accountability through deceptive, wordy arguments.