φλυαρέω (phluareō)
phluareō
to talk nonsense
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb phluareō describes speech that is empty, foolish, or nonsensical. It refers to prating or talking idly without substance, often carrying a negative connotation of making idle accusations or spreading malicious gossip. The word suggests a kind of verbal clutter that distracts from truth rather than building it up.
This term appears only once in the New Testament, in 3 John verse 10. There, the apostle John warns that if Diotrephes continues to "talk nonsense" against him, the church should not imitate such behavior. The context highlights how this kind of speech can disrupt community unity and spread false charges among believers.
Its root connects to ideas of emptiness or vanity in speech. Unlike constructive dialogue, phluareō represents words that lack weight or purpose. Translators typically render it as "talk nonsense" or "prate," capturing the sense of futile, potentially harmful chatter that serves no edifying function.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Words carry weight in any community, but some speech adds nothing but noise. This Greek word describes empty chatter that distracts from truth rather than building it up. It is not merely disagreement; it is foolish talk that lacks substance and often harms those around us.
In 3 John, John warns against Diotrephes, who used such words to accuse others unjustly. This kind of speech disrupts unity and spreads false charges among believers. We are called to avoid this verbal clutter, choosing instead to speak with care and integrity.
When we guard our tongues, we protect the peace of the church. Let your words be few, thoughtful, and true, reflecting the love that holds us together in Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- prating against1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- φλυαρῶν1×
Key Verses
-
III John 1:10
Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, he doesn’t receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.
This verse shows how idle accusations and wicked words can disrupt church unity and lead to exclusion.