5396. phluareó
Lexical Summary
phluareó: To talk nonsense, to prate, to gossip

Original Word: φλυαρέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: phluareó
Pronunciation: floo-ar-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (floo-ar-eh'-o)
KJV: prate against
NASB: unjustly accusing
Word Origin: [from G5397 (φλύαρος - gossips)]

1. to be a babbler or trifler
2. (by implication) to berate idly or mischievously

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
disparage

From phluaros; to be a babbler or trifler, i.e. (by implication) to berate idly or mischievously -- prate against.

see GREEK phluaros

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 5396 phlyaréō (from 5397 /phlýaros, "to bubble up, boil over") – overflowing with speech "that is fluent but empty" (WS, 562). It is used only in 3 Jn 10. See 5397 (phlyaros).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from phluaros
Definition
to talk nonsense
NASB Translation
unjustly accusing (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5396: φλυαρέω

φλυαρέω, φλυάρω; (φλύαρος, which see); to utter nonsense, talk idly, prate (Herodotus, Xenophon, Plato, Isocrates, Plutarch, others); to bring forward idle accusations, make empty charges, Xenophon, Hell. 6, 3, 12; joined with βλασφημεῖν, Isocrates 5, 33: τινα λόγοις πονηροῖς, to accuse one falsely with malicious words, 3 John 1:10 (A. V. prating against etc.).

Topical Lexicon
Lexical Note

The verb translated “slander” or “bring malicious charges” in 3 John 1:10 conveys the idea of indulging in empty talk that harms another’s reputation. It is speech that is both groundless and injurious.

Biblical Occurrence

3 John 1:10 – “For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, slandering us with malicious words. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and even stops those who want to do so, and puts them out of the church.”

Context in 3 John

John’s brief letter contrasts the hospitality of Gaius with the arrogance of Diotrephes. Diotrephes rejects apostolic authority, refuses to receive traveling gospel workers, and publicly maligns John. The single use of this verb underscores the seriousness with which the apostle views malicious speech when it undermines church order and unity.

Historical Background

In the house—church setting of the late first century, itinerant teachers depended on believers’ hospitality. By “prating against us,” Diotrephes isolated his community from apostolic oversight, setting up a rival authority structure. John’s intent to confront such behavior highlights the apostolic duty to protect orthodoxy and fellowship.

Theological Significance

1. Authority of the Apostles: Slander against apostolic witnesses endangers doctrinal purity.
2. Unity of the Body: Hostile speech fractures fellowship and quenches love, a central theme in Johannine writings.
3. Integrity of Christian Witness: The gospel’s credibility suffers when church leaders engage in baseless accusations.

Relation to Wider Scriptural Teaching

Proverbs 10:18; 16:28—warn against sowing discord through speech.
Psalm 101:5—God promises to silence the one who secretly slanders.
Matthew 12:36—careless words will be judged.
Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8—call believers to put away malice and slander.
James 3:5-10—describes the tongue’s power for both blessing and destruction.

Pastoral and Ministerial Application

• Church Discipline: Leaders must address slander promptly to preserve doctrinal and relational health.
• Hospitality and Mission: Refusing fellowship to faithful workers, as Diotrephes did, hinders the advance of the gospel.
• Accountability in Speech: Believers should submit their words to the standard of truth and love, ensuring alignment with the character of Christ.

Practical Exhortations

1. Guard the pulpit and platform from unverified accusations.
2. Establish transparent processes for dealing with grievances.
3. Cultivate a culture where edifying speech is the norm and malicious talk is neither tolerated nor spread.
4. Uphold and pray for itinerant and cross-cultural workers, resisting any impulse to malign or marginalize them.

Patristic Testimony

Early commentators such as Chrysostom viewed the slander of Diotrephes as evidence of pride unchecked by accountability, illustrating the perennial need for humble submission to apostolic teaching preserved in Scripture.

Summary

The lone New Testament appearance of this verb in 3 John 1:10 amplifies the destructive potential of malicious chatter in the church. By spotlighting Diotrephes’s behavior, the apostle John calls every generation to guard the tongue, honor legitimate authority, and maintain the unity and witness of the believing community.

Forms and Transliterations
φλυαρων φλυαρών φλυαρῶν phluaron phluarōn phlyaron phlyarôn phlyarōn phlyarō̂n
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Englishman's Concordance
3 John 1:10 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: λόγοις πονηροῖς φλυαρῶν ἡμᾶς καὶ
NAS: he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked
KJV: he doeth, prating against us
INT: with words evil prating against us and

Strong's Greek 5396
1 Occurrence


φλυαρῶν — 1 Occ.

5395
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