2551. kakologeó

Lexicon

kakologeó: To speak evil of, to revile, to curse, to insult.

Original Word: κακολογέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: kakologeó
Pronunciation: kä-ko-lo-GEH-o
Phonetic Spelling: (kak-ol-og-eh'-o)
Definition: To speak evil of, to revile, to curse, to insult.
Meaning: I speak evil of, curse, revile, abuse.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

curse, speak evil of.

From a compound of kakos and logos; to revile -- curse, speak evil of.

see GREEK kakos

see GREEK logos

HELPS Word-studies

2551 kakologéō (from 2556 /kakós, "a malicious disposition" and 3004 /légō, "speaking to a conclusion") – properly, to speak evil, using malicious, damaging words that are calculated to destroy (misrepresent).

2551 /kakologéō ("calculated evil-speaking") tries to make evil seem good ("positive"), i.e. presenting what is wrong as "right" (or the reverse). 2551 (kakologéō) issues from a twisted disposition (make-up, perspective).

[Note the fundamental meaning of the root (2556 /kakós).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from a comp. of kakos and logos
Definition
to speak ill of
NASB Translation
speak evil (1), speaking evil (1), speaks evil (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2551: κακολογέω

κακολογέω, κακολόγω; 1 aorist infinitive κακολογῆσαί; (κακολόγος); equivalent to κακῶς λέγω (which the old grammarians prefer, see Lob. ad Phryn., p. 200);

1. to speak ill of, revile, abuse, one; to calumniate, traduce: τινα, Mark 9:39; τί, Acts 19:9; (2 Macc. 4:1; Lysias, Plutarch, others).

2. Hellenistically, to imprecate evil on, curse: τινα, Matthew 15:4; Mark 7:10 (so for קִלֵּל, Proverbs 20:20; Ezekiel 22:7; Exodus 22:28).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From the Greek words κακός (kakos), meaning "bad" or "evil," and λέγω (legō), meaning "to speak" or "to say."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H7043 קָלַל (qalal): To be slight, swift, or trifling; to curse or despise.
• H6895 קָלַל (qalal): To be light, to curse, to make despicable.

These Hebrew terms share a similar semantic range with κακολογέω, emphasizing the act of cursing or speaking lightly of someone, often in a derogatory or contemptuous manner.

Usage: The verb κακολογέω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of speaking ill or cursing someone. It conveys a sense of verbal abuse or slander.

Context: The term κακολογέω appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize the moral and ethical implications of speech. It is often associated with the violation of the commandment to honor one's parents, as seen in the teachings of Jesus. In Matthew 15:4 and Mark 7:10, Jesus references the commandment, "Honor your father and mother," and contrasts it with the act of κακολογέω, highlighting the severity of cursing one's parents. This usage underscores the importance of respectful and honoring speech within familial relationships.

The act of κακολογέω is not limited to familial contexts but extends to any form of speech that maligns or defames another person. It is considered a serious offense, reflecting a heart that is not aligned with the values of love and respect that are central to Christian teaching. The New Testament consistently warns against such behavior, urging believers to use their words to build up rather than tear down.

In a broader theological context, κακολογέω is seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature that believers are called to overcome. The transformation of speech is part of the sanctification process, where the Holy Spirit works within individuals to produce speech that is edifying and reflective of Christ's love.

Forms and Transliterations

εκακολόγουν κακολογησαι κακολογήσαί κακολογῆσαί κακολογήσεις κακολογουντες κακολογούντες κακολογοῦντες κακολογούντος κακολογων κακολογών κακολογῶν kakologesai kakologêsaí kakologēsai kakologē̂saí kakologon kakologôn kakologōn kakologō̂n kakologountes kakologoûntes

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 15:4 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: καί Ὁ κακολογῶν πατέρα ἢ
NAS: AND MOTHER,' and, 'HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER
KJV: mother: and, He that curseth father or
INT: and He who speaks evil of father or

Mark 7:10 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: καί Ὁ κακολογῶν πατέρα ἢ
NAS: AND YOUR MOTHER; and, 'HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER
KJV: mother; and, Whoso curseth father or
INT: and He who speaks evil of father or

Mark 9:39 V-ANA
GRK: δυνήσεται ταχὺ κακολογῆσαί με
NAS: soon afterward to speak evil of Me.
KJV: can lightly speak evil of me.
INT: be able readily to speak evil of me

Acts 19:9 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: καὶ ἠπείθουν κακολογοῦντες τὴν ὁδὸν
NAS: and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way
KJV: believed not, but spake evil of that way
INT: and disobeyed speaking evil of the way

Strong's Greek 2551
4 Occurrences

κακολογῆσαί — 1 Occ.
κακολογῶν — 2 Occ.
κακολογοῦντες — 1 Occ.