Lexical Summary polulogia: Much speaking, verbosity Original Word: πολυλογία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wordinessFrom a compound of polus and logos; loquacity, i.e. Prolixity -- much speaking. see GREEK polus see GREEK logos HELPS Word-studies 4180 polylogía (from 4183 /polýs, "much in quantity" and 3056 /lógos, "'word, speech") – properly, voluminous words; a great quantity of words (used only in Mt 6:7). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom polus and logos Definition much speaking NASB Translation many words (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4180: πολυλογίαπολυλογία, πολυλογίας, ἡ (πολύλογος), much speaking, (Plautus, Vulg.,multiloquium): Matthew 6:7. (Proverbs 10:19; Xenophon, Cyril 1, 4, 3; Plato, legg. 1, p. 641 e.; Aristotle, polit. 4, 10 (p. 1295{a}, 2); Plutarch, educ. puer. 8, 10.) Topical Lexicon Definition in Context Strong’s Greek 4180, transliterated polylogia, denotes verbose, wordy speech—especially unfocused or mechanically repeated talk offered in supposed devotion. Scripture contrasts such “many words” with the God-honoring simplicity that trusts the Father’s prior knowledge of every need. Biblical Occurrence Matthew 6:7 is the sole New Testament instance. Addressing the disciples, Jesus says, “And when you pray, do not babble on like the pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard” (Berean Standard Bible). The focus is not merely quantity but the presumptuous belief that verbosity itself secures divine favor. Cultural Background 1. Greco-Roman religion valued elaborate formulas, piling up titles of deities to ensure attention. Theological Significance • God’s omniscience renders manipulative verbosity futile (Matthew 6:8). Practical Application in Personal Prayer • Discern motive before length; prolonged prayer may be Spirit-led intercession (Luke 6:12) or mere polylogia. Implications for Corporate Worship • Liturgical forms should encourage meaning, not mindless recital. Warnings for Teaching and Preaching • Sermons laden with ornamental rhetoric risk masking the gospel’s clarity (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). Related Biblical Teaching on Speech • Proverbs 10:19—“When words are many, sin is not absent.” Though not employing polylogia, these passages reinforce the divine preference for sincere, restrained speech. Historical Testimonies • Early Church apologist Justin Martyr (First Apology 67) notes prayers “offered up at length” yet marked by corporate “Amen,” indicating thoughtful participation rather than polylogia. Summary Strong’s Greek 4180 warns against the illusion that God can be impressed or manipulated by sheer volume of words. The single occurrence in Matthew 6:7 stands as a perpetual corrective: genuine prayer rests on knowing the Father, speaks truthfully from the heart, and trusts His wisdom more than the speaker’s verbosity. Forms and Transliterations πολυλογια πολυλογία πολυλογίᾳ πολυλογίας polulogia polylogia polylogíāiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |