3474. móros

Lexical Summary

móros: Foolish, dull, stupid

Original Word: μωρός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: móros
Pronunciation: mo-ros'
Phonetic Spelling: (mo-ros')
KJV: fool(-ish, X -ishness)
NASB: foolish, fools, fool, foolish things, foolishness
Word Origin: [probably from the base of G3466 (μυστήριον - mystery)]

1. dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e. heedless
2. (morally) blockhead
3. (apparently) absurd

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

foolish

Probably from the base of musterion; dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e. Heedless, (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd -- fool(-ish, X -ishness).

see GREEK musterion

HELPS Word-studies

3474 mōrós (the root of the English terms, "moron, moronic") – properly, dull (insipid), flat ("without an edge"); (figuratively) "mentally inert"; dull in understanding; nonsensical ("moronic"), lacking a grip on reality (acting as though "brainless").

[This root (mōr-) "properly refers to physical nerves causing one to become dull, sluggish (so Hipp., Aristotle); used of the mind, dull, stupid, foolish" (Abbott-Smith); "flat/insipid" (WS, 1062). 3474 (mōrós) is used ironically of apparent stupidity in 1 Cor 1;25,27, 3:18.]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
dull, stupid, foolish
NASB Translation
fool (1), foolish (7), foolish things (1), foolishness (1), fools (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3474: μωρός

μωρός, μωρά, μωρόν (on the accent cf. Winers Grammar, 52 (51); Chandler §§ 404, 405), foolish: with τυφλός, Matthew 23:17, 19 (here T Tr WH text omit; L brackets μωροί); τό μωρόν τοῦ Θεοῦ, an act or appointment of God deemed foolish by men, 1 Corinthians 1:25; equivalent to without learning or erudition, 1 Corinthians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 4:10; imprudent, without forethought or wisdom, Matthew 7:26; Matthew 23:17, 19 (see above); Matthew 25:2f, 8; equivalent to empty, useless, ζητήσεις, 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9; in imitation of the Hebrew נָבָל (cf. Psalm 13:1 (); Job 2:10) equivalent to impious, godless (because such a man neglects and despises what relates to salvation), Matthew 5:22; (some take the word here as a Hebrew term (מורֶה, rebel) expressive of condemnation; cf. Numbers 20:10; Psalm 68:8; but see the Syriac; Field, Otium Norv. pars iii. at the passage; Levy, Neuhebräisch. u. Chald. Wörterbuch under the word מורום). (the Sept. for נָבָל, Deuteronomy 32:6; Isaiah 32:5f; for כְּסִיל, Psalm 93:8 (). (Aeschylus, Sophocles, others.))

Topical Lexicon

Term Overview

The word translated “fool, foolish” (Strong’s Greek 3474) consistently depicts moral and spiritual dullness rather than mere intellectual deficiency. Scripture applies it to people, attitudes, controversies, and even—to expose human pride—the Gospel itself.

Old Testament Background

Although the term is Greek, the concept corresponds to Hebrew words such as nābāl and kesîl, describing those who ignore God’s revelation (Psalm 14:1; Proverbs 1:7). The Septuagint regularly uses related Greek vocabulary to translate these Hebrew ideas, providing the conceptual bridge for New Testament usage.

Usage in the Gospels

1. Condemning Speech (Matthew 5:22). Jesus warns that calling a brother “You fool!” places one “in danger of the fire of hell,” elevating reckless contempt to a heart–level offense before God.
2. The Foundation Parable (Matthew 7:26). The “foolish man” builds on sand—symbolizing those who hear Christ’s words yet fail to obey, forfeiting spiritual security.
3. Blind Religious Leaders (Matthew 23:17). Christ labels hypocritical scribes and Pharisees “blind fools,” exposing the emptiness of external religiosity divorced from true devotion.
4. The Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:2-8). Half are called “foolish” for neglecting extra oil. Their unpreparedness highlights the peril of complacency toward Christ’s return.

Pauline Paradox

In the Corinthian correspondence Paul turns the word on its head:
• 1 Corinthians 1:25-27. “The foolishness of God is wiser than men… God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.” The message of the cross, despised by worldly standards, becomes God’s instrument to display superior wisdom.
• 1 Corinthians 3:18. Believers must “become fools” in worldly estimation to receive true wisdom from God.
• 1 Corinthians 4:10. “We are fools for Christ,” a badge of honor borne by apostles whose sacrificial lives authenticate the Gospel.

Pastoral Counsel

Both Pastoral Epistles guard the church from fruitless debate:
• 2 Timothy 2:23. “Reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know that they breed quarreling.”
• Titus 3:9. “Avoid foolish controversies… these things are pointless and worthless.”

The adjective marks discussions devoid of edifying truth, reinforcing a ministry ethos that prizes sound doctrine over speculative wrangling.

Theological Significance

1. Moral Orientation. Scripture’s “fool” is chiefly one who dismisses God’s revealed will. Folly is ethical and spiritual rebellion, not simple lack of intelligence.
2. Eschatological Urgency. The foolish virgins remind believers that negligence toward salvation’s demands has irreversible consequences when the Bridegroom arrives.
3. Gospel Reversal. By calling the cross “foolishness,” God unmasks human pride and invites humble faith; what the world scorns becomes the power and wisdom of God.

Warnings and Exhortations for the Church

• Guard the Tongue (Matthew 5:22). Derogatory labels spring from a heart of contempt that God judges.
• Build on Obedience (Matthew 7:26). Hearing without doing courts disaster.
• Prepare for Christ’s Return (Matthew 25:2-8). Vigilant faith keeps its lamp trimmed.
• Embrace Gospel Paradox (1 Corinthians 4:10). Willingness to appear foolish before the world is a hallmark of true discipleship.
• Shun Fruitless Arguments (2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9). Ministry energy belongs in proclamation and discipleship, not endless speculation.

Applications for Ministry Today

• Preaching: Confront the folly of self-reliance while extolling the “foolish” cross as ultimate wisdom.
• Counseling: Address contemptuous speech and relational breakdowns in light of Christ’s warning.
• Leadership: Model preparedness and doctrinal clarity, steering congregations away from empty controversy toward Gospel mission.
• Cultural Engagement: Accept marginalization for Christ’s sake, remembering that divine wisdom often appears foolish to the prevailing culture.

Conclusion

Strong’s 3474 unmasks hearts that resist God while calling believers to an obedience the world may deem foolish. The term urges sober self-examination, Christ-centered proclamation, and steadfast hope until wisdom is vindicated at the return of the Bridegroom.

Forms and Transliterations

μωρα μωρά μωρὰ μωραι μωραί μωραὶ μωρας μωράς μωρὰς Μωρε Μωρέ μωροι μωροί μωροὶ μωρον μωρόν μωρὸν μωρος μωρός μωρὸς μωρω μωρώ μωρῷ mora morà mōra mōrà morai moraì mōrai mōraì moras moràs mōras mōràs More Moré Mōre Mōré moro mōrō moroi moroì morôi mōroi mōroì mōrō̂i moron moròn mōron mōròn moros moròs mōros mōròs

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 5:22 Adj-VMS
GRK: ἂν εἴπῃ Μωρέ ἔνοχος ἔσται
NAS: says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty
KJV: shall say, Thou fool, shall be
INT: anyhow shall say Fool liable will be

Matthew 7:26 Adj-DMS
GRK: ὁμοιωθήσεται ἀνδρὶ μωρῷ ὅστις ᾠκοδόμησεν
NAS: on them, will be like a foolish man
KJV: shall be likened unto a foolish man,
INT: he will be likened to a man foolish who built

Matthew 23:17 Adj-VMP
GRK: μωροὶ καὶ τυφλοί
NAS: You fools and blind men! Which
KJV: [Ye] fools and blind:
INT: fools and blind

Matthew 25:2 Adj-NFP
GRK: αὐτῶν ἦσαν μωραὶ καὶ πέντε
NAS: Five of them were foolish, and five
KJV: and five [were] foolish.
INT: them were foolish and five

Matthew 25:3 Adj-NFP
GRK: αἱ γὰρ μωραὶ λαβοῦσαι τὰς
NAS: For when the foolish took
KJV: They that [were] foolish took their
INT: the indeed foolish having taken the

Matthew 25:8 Adj-NFP
GRK: αἱ δὲ μωραὶ ταῖς φρονίμοις
NAS: The foolish said to the prudent,
KJV: And the foolish said unto the wise,
INT: and [the] foolish to the wise

1 Corinthians 1:25 Adj-NNS
GRK: ὅτι τὸ μωρὸν τοῦ θεοῦ
NAS: Because the foolishness of God
KJV: Because the foolishness of God is
INT: For the foolishness of God

1 Corinthians 1:27 Adj-ANP
GRK: ἀλλὰ τὰ μωρὰ τοῦ κόσμου
NAS: has chosen the foolish things of the world
KJV: hath chosen the foolish things of the world
INT: But the foolish things of the world

1 Corinthians 3:18 Adj-NMS
GRK: αἰῶνι τούτῳ μωρὸς γενέσθω ἵνα
NAS: he must become foolish, so
KJV: let him become a fool, that
INT: age this foolish let him become that

1 Corinthians 4:10 Adj-NMP
GRK: ἡμεῖς μωροὶ διὰ Χριστόν
NAS: We are fools for Christ's sake,
KJV: We [are] fools for Christ's
INT: We [are] fools on account of Christ

2 Timothy 2:23 Adj-AFP
GRK: τὰς δὲ μωρὰς καὶ ἀπαιδεύτους
NAS: But refuse foolish and ignorant
KJV: But foolish and unlearned
INT: and [the] foolish and undisciplined

Titus 3:9 Adj-AFP
GRK: μωρὰς δὲ ζητήσεις
NAS: But avoid foolish controversies
KJV: But avoid foolish questions, and
INT: foolish moreover controversies

Strong's Greek 3474
12 Occurrences

μωρὰ — 1 Occ.
μωραὶ — 3 Occ.
μωρὰς — 2 Occ.
Μωρέ — 1 Occ.
μωρῷ — 1 Occ.
μωροὶ — 2 Occ.
μωρὸν — 1 Occ.
μωρὸς — 1 Occ.