νωθρός (nōthros)
nōthros
dull
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective nōthros describes a state of spiritual sluggishness or dullness. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both in the book of Hebrews (5:11; 6:12), where it characterizes believers who have become slow to understand deeper truths. The word suggests a languid or indolent attitude that hinders growth, contrasting with the alertness required for mature faith.
Its etymology links it to concepts of being blunt or dull, implying a lack of sharpness in perception. While near-synonyms like argos emphasize idleness or inactivity, nōthros focuses more on the mental and spiritual torpor that results from neglecting one’s duties. The author of Hebrews uses this term to urge readers to move beyond elementary teachings and grasp more substantial doctrines.
Translators typically render nōthros as "dull" or "sluggish," capturing its sense of mental inertia. The word serves as a warning against spiritual complacency, reminding readers that faith requires active engagement rather than passive reception. This usage highlights the importance of diligence in understanding Scripture and applying its teachings to daily life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read about being "dull" in Hebrews, it is easy to feel discouraged by our own spiritual fatigue. This word describes a heaviness that makes deep truths feel hard to hear or understand. It is not necessarily a failure of faith, but rather a human tendency toward mental and spiritual inertia when life feels overwhelming.
The author uses this term gently to encourage growth. He reminds us that staying at the basics is not the end goal. Instead, we are invited to move forward, letting go of passivity and embracing the active trust that leads to maturity. This shift requires patience with ourselves and a willingness to keep listening.
Even when our hearts feel heavy, the call remains to imitate those who have persevered through faith. We do not need to force understanding all at once. Instead, we can rest in the promise that steady, faithful steps are enough. God meets us where we are, helping us rise from sluggishness into a deeper, more vibrant hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sluggish2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- νωθροὶ2×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 5:11
About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing.
This verse identifies the specific struggle of hearing difficulty, showing how spiritual dullness blocks the reception of deeper teaching.
-
Hebrews 6:12
that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises.
Here the word shifts from a description of a problem to a positive exhortation, urging believers to replace sluggishness with imitation of faithful predecessors.