κατάλαλος (katalalos)
katalalos
slanderous
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective katalalos describes someone who speaks evil of others, functioning as a defamer or slanderer. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Romans 1:30, where Paul lists it among the characteristics of those who reject God. The term captures the active nature of malicious speech, portraying a person who consistently spreads harmful rumors or false accusations against their neighbors.
Its structure combines a prefix implying intensity with a root related to speaking or talking. This construction suggests more than casual gossip; it points to a persistent habit of damaging another’s reputation. The word is closely linked to the concept of whispering, highlighting how such slander often spreads through secretive, behind-the-back communication rather than open confrontation.
By placing katalalos in a list of broader moral failures, Scripture emphasizes that destructive speech is not an isolated error but part of a deeper pattern of unrighteousness. The term serves as a stark reminder that words carry weight and that tearing down others’ character is viewed as a serious violation of community trust.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katalalos describes a specific kind of speech that goes beyond simple gossip or casual complaining. It refers to someone who actively speaks against others, often behind their backs, with the intent to damage their reputation. In Romans 1:30, Paul includes this trait in a list of behaviors that separate people from God, showing how serious destructive speech is in the eyes of Scripture.
For your daily life, this word invites you to examine how you talk about others when they are not present. It challenges the habit of sharing negative rumors or criticisms that tear down rather than build up. Instead, we are called to protect the dignity of our neighbors through careful and kind words. This practice fosters trust and reflects the love Christ shows us.
Guarding your tongue is a practical way to honor God in community. When you choose not to engage in slander, you create space for healing and reconciliation. Let this word encourage you to speak life into your relationships, knowing that your words have the power to either wound or restore.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- slanderers,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- καταλάλους,1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 1:30
backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
This is the only New Testament occurrence of the word, where Paul identifies slanderers as part of a broader pattern of moral rejection.