κλυδωνίζω (kludōnizō)
kludōnizō
to toss
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb kludōnizō describes a violent tossing motion, specifically likening a person to something battered by heavy waves. Derived from the word for "billow" or "great wave," it paints a vivid picture of instability and lack of control. In the New Testament, this rare term appears only once, in Ephesians 4:14.
Paul uses this maritime imagery to describe spiritual immaturity. He warns believers against being "tossed to and fro" by every wind of doctrine. The image suggests that without a firm foundation in truth, a Christian’s mind and convictions are easily shaken by new or deceptive teachings, much like a small boat in a storm.
This word highlights the contrast between stability and chaos. While the sea represents external pressures and false ideas, the goal for believers is to grow into maturity. The text emphasizes that true spiritual strength comes from holding fast to the truth, preventing the soul from being driven around by shifting opinions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kludōnizō paints a vivid picture of a small boat battered by heavy waves, lacking any anchor or stability. In Ephesians, Paul uses this image to describe spiritual immaturity, where a believer’s mind is tossed about by every new teaching or cultural shift. Without a firm foundation in truth, it is easy to feel confused or shaken by conflicting ideas.
Growing in faith means finding rest in the consistency of God’s Word rather than chasing every passing trend. When we root ourselves in Christ, we gain the stability needed to navigate life’s storms with peace. This assurance allows us to stand firm, not because we are perfect, but because our hope is anchored in something unshakable.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- being tossed by waves1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κλυδωνιζόμενοι1×
Key Verses
-
Ephesians 4:14
that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;
This single occurrence uses the term to warn against spiritual instability caused by deceptive teachings.