Lexical Summary kenophónia: Empty talk, vain babbling Original Word: κενοφωνία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance chatter, empty talkFrom a presumed compound of kenos and phone; empty sounding, i.e. Fruitless discussion -- vain. see GREEK kenos see GREEK phone NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kenos and phóneó Definition empty talk NASB Translation empty chatter (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2757: κνοφωνιακνοφωνια, κνοφωνιας, ἡ (κενοφωνος uttering emptiness) (vaniloquium, Vulg. (Clementine edition (in 2 Timothy 2:16))), empty discussion, discussion of vain and useless matters (A. V. babbling): 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16. ((Dioscor. 1 prooem., p. 3, 1); ecclesiastical writings.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Semantic Nuance Strong’s Greek 2757 refers to speech that is “empty of content.” It suggests talk that fails to edify, persuade toward righteousness, or advance genuine knowledge. Rather than describing speech that is merely casual or harmless, the term targets words that drain spiritual vitality because they are void of divine truth. Occurrences in the New Testament The word appears twice, both in Paul’s Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16). Each occurrence is paired with an adjective meaning “profane” or “irreverent,” underlining that the emptiness is not neutral but morally corrosive. Context within the Pastoral Epistles 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy were written to a young pastor responsible for guarding apostolic teaching in the face of speculative doctrines. Paul links κενοφωνία to “so-called knowledge” (1 Timothy 6:20) and to speech that “will only lead to more ungodliness” (2 Timothy 2:16). It is therefore a pastoral vice: an enemy of sound doctrine and holy living. Contrast with Sound Doctrine Paul frames the fight against κενοφωνία as part of a larger mandate to “retain the standard of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13) and “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2). Empty speech is the antithesis of “the faithful word” (Titus 1:9) that nourishes believers. Historical and Cultural Backdrop First-century Ephesus was saturated with itinerant philosophers and rhetorical schools that prized speculative debate. Such settings encouraged novelty, intellectual pride, and factionalism—concerns that echo in the letters (cf. 1 Timothy 1:4; 2 Timothy 2:23). Paul’s warning therefore addresses both a cultural temptation and a theological threat. Theological Principles 1. Truth and godliness are inseparable; speech that is void of truth degenerates into increasing ungodliness. Implications for Church Leadership Pastors must cultivate discernment, recognizing that not all conversation branded “biblical” is substantive. They should: Application for Contemporary Believers Believers face modern equivalents of κενοφωνία in endless online debates, sensational prophecies, and doctrinal fads. Practical safeguards include: Related Biblical Themes • Foolish controversies (Titus 3:9). Summary Strong’s 2757 warns against speech that lacks spiritual substance and moral weight. In every generation the church must reject such “empty chatter” and instead speak the life-giving words of Scripture, thereby preserving doctrinal purity and promoting practical godliness. Forms and Transliterations κενοφωνιας κενοφωνίας kenophonias kenophonías kenophōnias kenophōníasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Timothy 6:20 N-AFPGRK: τὰς βεβήλους κενοφωνίας καὶ ἀντιθέσεις NAS: worldly [and] empty chatter [and] the opposing arguments KJV: profane [and] vain babblings, and INT: profane empty babblings and oppositions 2 Timothy 2:16 N-AFP |
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