Berean Strong's Lexicon argos: Idle, lazy, inactive Original Word: ἀργός Word Origin: Derived from the Greek prefix "a-" (meaning "not") and "ergon" (meaning "work"), thus literally meaning "not working" or "idle." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "argos," the concept of idleness can be related to Hebrew words like "עָצֵל" (atsel, Strong's H6102), meaning "sluggard" or "lazy." Usage: In the New Testament, "argos" is used to describe a state of idleness or laziness, often with a moral or ethical implication. It conveys the idea of being unproductive or not fulfilling one's duties, whether in a physical, spiritual, or moral sense. The term is used to admonish believers against a lifestyle that neglects responsibility and diligence. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, work was often seen as a virtue, and idleness was frowned upon. The early Christian community, influenced by Jewish teachings, also valued hard work and diligence as expressions of faithfulness to God. Idleness was not only seen as a personal failing but also as a potential threat to the community's well-being and witness. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and ergon Definition inactive, idle NASB Translation careless (1), idle (4), lazy (1), useless (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 692: ἀργόςἀργός, ἀργόν, and in later writings from Aristotle, hist. anim. 10, 40 (vol. i., p. 627{a}, 15) on and consequently also in the N. T. with the feminine ἀργῇ, which among the early Greeks Epimenides alone is said to have used, Titus 1:12; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 104f; id. Paralip., p. 455ff; Winers Grammar, 68 (67) (cf. 24; Buttmann, 25 (23)) (contracted from ἀεργός which Homer uses, from alpha privative and ἔργον without work, without labor, doing nothing), inactive, idle; a. free from labor, at leisure (ἀργόν εἶναι, Herodotus 5, 6): Matthew 20:3, 6 (Rec.); 1 Timothy 5:13. b. lazy, shunning the labor which one ought to perform (Homer, Iliad 9, 320 ὁ, τ' ἀεργός ἀνήρ, ὁ, τέ πολλά ἐοργως): πίστις, James 2:20 (L T Tr WH for R G νεκρά); γαστέρες ἀργαί i. e. idle gluttons, from Epimenides, Titus 1:12 (Nicet. ann. 7, 4, 135 d. εἰς ἀργᾷς γαστερας ὀχετηγησας); ἀργός καί ἄκαρπος εἰς τί, 2 Peter 1:8. c. of things from which no profit is derived, although they can and ought to be productive; as of fields, trees, gold and silver, (cf. Grimm on Wis. 14:5; (Liddell and Scott, under the word I. 2)); unprofitable, ῤῆμα ἀργόν, by litotes equivalent to pernicious (see ἄκαρπος): Matthew 12:36. From a (as a negative particle) and ergon; inactive, i.e. Unemployed; (by implication) lazy, useless -- barren, idle, slow. see GREEK a see GREEK ergon Englishman's Concordance Matthew 12:36 Adj-NNSGRK: πᾶν ῥῆμα ἀργὸν ὃ λαλήσουσιν NAS: you that every careless word KJV: That every idle word that INT: every word careless that may speak Matthew 20:3 Adj-AMP Matthew 20:6 Adj-NMP 1 Timothy 5:13 Adj-NFP 1 Timothy 5:13 Adj-NFP Titus 1:12 Adj-NFP James 2:20 Adj-NFS 2 Peter 1:8 Adj-AMP Strong's Greek 692 |