2636. katalalia

Lexicon

katalalia: Slander, backbiting

Original Word: καταλαλιά
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: katalalia
Pronunciation: kat-al-al-ee'-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-al-al-ee'-ah)
Definition: Slander, backbiting
Meaning: evil-speaking, backbiting, detraction, slander.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

backbiting, evil speaking.

From katalalos; defamation -- backbiting, evil speaking.

see GREEK katalalos

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 2636 katalalía – evil speech, slander (railing, defaming talk). See 2635 (katalaleō).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from katalalos
Definition
evil-speaking
NASB Translation
slander (1), slanders (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2636: καταλαλιά

καταλαλιά, καταλαλιάς, ἡ (κατάλαλος, which see), defamation, evil-speaking: 2 Corinthians 12:20; 1 Peter 2:1 (on the plural cf. Winers Grammar, 176 (166); Buttmann, 77 (67)). (Wis. 1:11; Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 30, 1 [ET]; 35, 5 [ET], and ecclesiastical writings; not found in classical Greek.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From the verb καταλαλέω (katalaleō), which is a compound of κατά (kata, meaning "against" or "down") and λαλέω (laleō, meaning "to speak" or "to talk").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for καταλαλιά, similar concepts can be found in the Hebrew Scriptures. The idea of slander or speaking evil is often conveyed through terms like רָכִיל (rakil, meaning "slander" or "gossip") and דִּבָּה (dibbah, meaning "bad report" or "slander"). These terms reflect the Old Testament's condemnation of false witness and malicious speech, as seen in passages like Leviticus 19:16 and Proverbs 10:18.

Usage: The term καταλαλιά is used in the New Testament to describe the sinful act of speaking against others in a harmful or defamatory manner. It is often associated with other vices and is condemned as contrary to Christian conduct.

Context: The Greek term καταλαλιά (katalalia) appears in the New Testament as a noun that denotes the act of slander or backbiting. It is derived from the verb καταλαλέω, which means to speak against someone in a derogatory or harmful way. This term is used to describe a behavior that is considered sinful and damaging to both individuals and the community.

In the New Testament, καταλαλιά is explicitly mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:20, where the Apostle Paul expresses concern about finding such behaviors among the Corinthians: "For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalries, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder." (BSB)

The use of καταλαλιά in this context highlights the destructive nature of slander and its potential to cause division and strife within the church. It is grouped with other negative behaviors that disrupt the unity and peace of the Christian community.

From a theological perspective, καταλαλιά is seen as a violation of the command to love one's neighbor as oneself. It undermines trust and fellowship among believers and is contrary to the teachings of Christ, who emphasized love, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

The New Testament consistently warns against such behavior, urging believers to speak truthfully and lovingly, building each other up rather than tearing each other down. The call to avoid καταλαλιά is part of the broader Christian ethic of living in a manner worthy of the gospel, characterized by integrity, kindness, and respect for others.

Forms and Transliterations

καταλαλιαι καταλαλιαί καταλαλιας καταλαλιάς katalaliai katalaliaí katalalias katalaliás

Englishman's Concordance

2 Corinthians 12:20 N-NFP
GRK: θυμοί ἐριθείαι καταλαλιαί ψιθυρισμοί φυσιώσεις
NAS: disputes, slanders, gossip,
KJV: strifes, backbitings, whisperings,
INT: anger contentions slander gossip conceit

1 Peter 2:1 N-AFP
GRK: καὶ πάσας καταλαλιάς
NAS: and envy and all slander,
KJV: and all evil speakings,
INT: and all evil speakings

Strong's Greek 2636
2 Occurrences

καταλαλιαί — 1 Occ.
καταλαλιάς — 1 Occ.