γογγυσμός (gongusmos)
gongusmos
murmuring
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun gongusmos refers to a low, indistinct muttering or murmuring, often born of secret displeasure rather than open complaint. It describes the sound of people grumbling among themselves, typically when they are unhappy with circumstances or leadership but hesitate to voice their grievances directly. This quiet discontent is portrayed as corrosive because it erodes trust without offering a path to resolution.
Scripture uses this term to highlight how hidden resentment damages community life. In John 7:12, the crowd’s gongusmos reveals a divided opinion about Jesus, showing how murmuring can signal underlying confusion or fear. Paul commands believers to operate without it in Philippians 2:14, linking its absence to a blameless and pure witness. Similarly, 1 Peter 4:9 encourages hospitality without grumbling, framing the mutter as an obstacle to genuine love.
The word derives from gongyzein, meaning to murmur or grumble, emphasizing the physical act of speaking in low, indistinct tones. Its presence in the New Testament serves as a warning against the passive-aggressive attitudes that fracture unity. Translators often render it as "grumbling" or "murmuring," capturing the sense of unspoken discontent that undermines communal harmony.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gongusmos describes a low, indistinct muttering born of secret displeasure. It is the sound of quiet resentment, where dissatisfaction simmers beneath the surface rather than being addressed openly. This kind of murmuring erodes trust and damages community life because it offers no path to resolution, only silent friction.
Scripture warns against this corrosive attitude in several places. In John 7:12, we see how such murmuring reveals a divided opinion about Jesus, showing that hidden confusion can fracture unity. Paul urges believers in Philippians 2:14 to do all things without complaining, linking the absence of this muttering to a blameless and pure witness before others.
When you feel frustration rising, consider inviting peace into those quiet moments. Instead of letting resentment take root in your heart, bring it to God in prayer or address it with grace. This approach helps maintain genuine love and hospitality, as encouraged in 1 Peter 4:9, fostering an environment where trust can flourish.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- murmurings1×
- murmuring1×
- complaint;1×
- a grumbling1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- γογγυσμὸς2×
- γογγυσμῶν1×
- γογγυσμοῦ·1×
Key Verses
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John 7:12
There was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others said, “Not so, but he leads the multitude astray.”
This verse illustrates how murmuring reveals divided opinions and underlying confusion about Jesus within the crowd.
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Philippians 2:14
Do all things without complaining and arguing,
Paul commands believers to operate without this muttering, connecting its absence to a clear and blameless witness.
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I Peter 4:9
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
Peter frames the absence of grumbling as essential for practicing genuine hospitality toward one another.