φλύαρος (phluaros)
phluaros
gossipy
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective phluaros describes a person who is garrulous or prone to babbling about trivial matters. Derived from a root meaning "to bubble," it evokes the image of empty chatter that rises and bursts without substance. In Scripture, this term appears only once, in 1 Timothy 5:13.
Paul uses it to characterize certain widows who are not merely idle but actively disruptive. These individuals go from house to house, not for genuine ministry, but to spread gossip and meddle in other people’s affairs. The word captures a specific kind of social friction: talk that serves no purpose other than to stir up interest or conflict through sheer volume and repetition.
Translators often render this as "gossips" or "busybodies," highlighting the destructive nature of such speech. Unlike wise counsel, which builds up, phluaros represents noise that divides communities. The text presents it as a serious spiritual failure, where time meant for prayer and good works is wasted on foolish talk.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word phluaros paints a vivid picture of speech that bubbles up without substance. It describes chatter that rises and bursts, leaving nothing but empty noise in its wake. In 1 Timothy 5:13, Paul uses this term to warn against talk that serves no purpose other than stirring interest or conflict. Such gossip does not build up the community; it divides and distracts from what truly matters.
When we find ourselves drawn into idle speculation about others, we risk wasting time meant for prayer and good works. This kind of speech often masks deeper issues like idleness or a lack of focus on our own spiritual growth. Instead of engaging in harmful talk, we can choose to speak words that encourage and edify those around us.
Reflecting on how we use our tongues invites us to consider whether our conversations reflect love and truth. Let this word remind you to guard your speech carefully, ensuring it brings life rather than division. May your words always point others toward hope and peace in Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- gossips1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- φλύαροι1×
Key Verses
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I Timothy 5:13
Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.
This verse highlights how phluaros describes gossip that disrupts communities by spreading unnecessary talk instead of fostering unity.