μωρολογία (mōrologia)
mōrologia
foolish talk
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun mōrologia refers to foolish or senseless talk. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Ephesians 5:4, where Paul lists behaviors that have no place among God’s people. The word combines terms for “foolishness” and “speech,” pointing directly to words that are silly, absurd, or morally empty.
Paul places this term alongside obscenity and crude joking, suggesting it describes a style of speech that is frivolous or offensive rather than constructive. It is not merely honest error, but talk that lacks wisdom and dignity. In its single occurrence, the word serves as a clear boundary marker for how Christians should speak to one another.
Translators typically render mōrologia as “foolish talk” or “silly talk.” This captures the idea of speech that is intellectually shallow or morally inappropriate. The word reminds readers that language carries weight, and that even casual words can reflect a heart that has not been transformed by grace.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mōrologia appears just once in the New Testament, found in Ephesians 5:4 where Paul lists behaviors that do not belong among God’s people. It describes foolish or senseless talk—words that are silly, absurd, or morally empty. This is not simply honest error, but speech that lacks wisdom and dignity. Paul places it alongside obscenity and crude joking, showing that frivolous conversation has no place in a community transformed by grace.
Language carries weight, and even casual words can reflect the state of our hearts. When we speak without thought or care, we miss the opportunity to build up those around us. Instead of engaging in talk that is intellectually shallow or offensive, we are called to let our words be constructive and thankful. This simple shift in speech reflects a heart that has been changed by God’s love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- foolish talking1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μωρολογία1×
Key Verses
-
Ephesians 5:4
nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate, but rather giving of thanks.
Paul uses this rare word to draw a clear boundary, grouping foolish talk with obscenity and crude joking as behaviors that have no place among believers.