Lexical Summary goggustés: Grumbler, Complainer Original Word: γογγυστής Strong's Exhaustive Concordance murmurer. From gogguzo; a grumbler -- murmurer. see GREEK gogguzo HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1113 goggystḗs – murmurer. See 1111 (gongyzō). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gogguzó Definition a murmurer NASB Translation grumblers (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1113: γογγυστήςγογγυστής, γογγυστου, ὁ, a murmurer (Vulg., Augustine,murmurator), one who discontentedly complains (against God; for μεμψίμοιροι is added): Jude 1:16. (Proverbs 26:21 Theod., Topical Lexicon Background and Concept The noun γογγυστής denotes one whose habitual response to circumstances is negative speech—grumbling, murmuring, fault-finding. Scripture consistently treats such speech as the outward symptom of an inward rejection of God’s lordship and providence. The term’s single appearance in the Greek New Testament gathers up a long biblical history of murmuring hearts and places it in the service of warning Christ’s church. Occurrence in Jude Jude 16 describes certain infiltrators of the Christian community as “grumblers and faultfinders, following after their own desires”. In the flow of Jude’s argument, the word identifies these teachers with the rebellious generation of Israel (Jude 5) and the angels who abandoned their domain (Jude 6). Their grumbling is not a minor flaw but evidence that they stand outside the line of faith, speaking against the Lord’s sovereign rule (Jude 14–15) and threatening the unity of the saints (Jude 19). Jude’s use of γογγυστής therefore functions as a diagnostic label: where chronic complaining is present, deeper unbelief is lurking. Old Testament Roots The Septuagint repeatedly employs cognate forms (e.g., Exodus 16, Numbers 14, Psalms 106) to recount Israel’s wilderness complaints. The pattern is striking: By selecting γογγυστής, Jude intentionally echoes this narrative thread, warning that the church must not replicate Israel’s wilderness unbelief (compare 1 Corinthians 10:10). Link with Other New Testament Passages Although γογγυστής itself occurs only once, related forms reinforce the New Testament’s call to contented obedience: Paul and James mirror Jude’s concern that grumbling corrodes fellowship and dishonors Christ. Theological Insights 1. Speech reveals allegiance. Persistent murmuring exposes a heart centered on self rather than on God’s glory (Matthew 12:34). Practical Ministry Significance Pastors and congregations must watch for the attitudes Jude condemns: resistance to authority, chronic dissatisfaction, and manipulative speech. Church discipline, sound teaching, and an atmosphere of corporate thanksgiving are antidotes to the spreading influence of γογγυσταί. Leaders should model contentment (Philippians 4:11–13) and exhort believers to “keep themselves in the love of God” (Jude 21), thereby silencing the murmur. Historical Considerations Early Christian writers heard Jude’s warning. Clement of Rome urged believers to shun “envy and strife” lest they “fall into judgment” like the wilderness generation (1 Clement 17–19). The Desert Fathers, conversely, identified thanksgiving as the foundation of spiritual warfare against inward complaint. Across centuries the church has received γογγυστής as a cautionary signpost. Contemporary Application Modern culture normalizes venting and cynicism, yet Jude’s single use of γογγυστής reminds believers that words matter eternally. Families, small groups, and entire assemblies can cultivate a counter-culture of praise by rehearsing God’s past faithfulness, practicing confession, and prioritizing intercessory prayer. Where gratitude flourishes, the spirit of γογγυστής withers. Summary Strong’s Greek 1113 embodies a timeless biblical warning: habitual complaining betrays a heart estranged from God and endangers the community of faith. Jude’s lone deployment of the term is therefore weighty—calling the church to reject the path of the grumbler, embrace thankful trust, and “contend for the faith” in word and deed. Forms and Transliterations γογγυσται γογγυσταί gongustai gongystai gongystaíLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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