λοίδορος (loidoros)
loidoros
reviler
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective loidoros describes someone who speaks with harsh, abusive intent, functioning as a "reviler" or "railer." It characterizes a person whose speech is not merely critical but actively malicious, aiming to insult or degrade another. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, both within Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, where it serves as a sharp label for destructive behavior within the community.
Its root connects to loidos, a word associated with mischief or verbal abuse, suggesting that the reviler uses words as weapons. Paul lists the loidoros alongside other serious moral failures in 1 Corinthians 5:11 and 6:10, grouping this trait with sexual immorality and greed. This placement indicates that such speech is not a minor social faux pas but a fundamental corruption of character that excludes one from the kingdom of God.
Translators typically render loidoros as "reviler" or "slanderer," capturing the aggressive nature of the insult. The word highlights the power of language to harm, showing that abusive speech is viewed as a significant spiritual barrier. By identifying this behavior so starkly, the text emphasizes the need for purity in both action and communication among believers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word loidoros, translated as "reviler" or "slanderer," points to speech that is not just critical but actively malicious. It describes a person who uses words as weapons to insult or degrade others. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, both in Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. He places it alongside serious moral failures like sexual immorality and greed, showing that such speech is a fundamental corruption of character.
Paul lists the loidoros in 1 Corinthians 5:11 and 6:10, warning that those who practice this behavior will not inherit God’s Kingdom. This stark label highlights the power of language to harm and serves as a spiritual barrier. It reminds us that purity in communication is just as vital as purity in action.
For your faith, this word invites self-reflection on how we speak about others. It encourages a community where words build up rather than tear down. By avoiding abusive speech, we honor God and protect the integrity of our relationships with one another.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- verbal abuser1×
- revilers1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- λοίδορος1×
- λοίδοροι1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 5:11
But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortionist. Don’t even eat with such a person.
This verse matters because it places the reviler in a list of behaviors that require separation within the church community, highlighting the seriousness of malicious speech.
-
I Corinthians 6:10
nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom.
This occurrence is significant as it explicitly states that slanderers will not inherit God’s Kingdom, linking abusive speech directly to eternal consequences.