Lexical Summary argos: Idle, lazy, inactive Original Word: ἀργός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance barren, idle, slow. From a (as a negative particle) and ergon; inactive, i.e. Unemployed; (by implication) lazy, useless -- barren, idle, slow. see GREEK a see GREEK ergon NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and ergon Definition inactive, idle NASB Translation careless (1), idle (4), lazy (1), useless (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 692: ἀργόςἀργός, ἀργόν, and in later writings from Aristotle, hist. anim. 10, 40 (vol. i., p. 627{a}, 15) on and consequently also in the N. T. with the feminine ἀργῇ, which among the early Greeks Epimenides alone is said to have used, Titus 1:12; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 104f; id. Paralip., p. 455ff; Winers Grammar, 68 (67) (cf. 24; Buttmann, 25 (23)) (contracted from ἀεργός which Homer uses, from alpha privative and ἔργον without work, without labor, doing nothing), inactive, idle; a. free from labor, at leisure (ἀργόν εἶναι, Herodotus 5, 6): Matthew 20:3, 6 (Rec.); 1 Timothy 5:13. b. lazy, shunning the labor which one ought to perform (Homer, Iliad 9, 320 ὁ, τ' ἀεργός ἀνήρ, ὁ, τέ πολλά ἐοργως): πίστις, James 2:20 (L T Tr WH for R G νεκρά); γαστέρες ἀργαί i. e. idle gluttons, from Epimenides, Titus 1:12 (Nicet. ann. 7, 4, 135 d. εἰς ἀργᾷς γαστερας ὀχετηγησας); ἀργός καί ἄκαρπος εἰς τί, 2 Peter 1:8. c. of things from which no profit is derived, although they can and ought to be productive; as of fields, trees, gold and silver, (cf. Grimm on Wis. 14:5; (Liddell and Scott, under the word I. 2)); unprofitable, ῤῆμα ἀργόν, by litotes equivalent to pernicious (see ἄκαρπος): Matthew 12:36. The term ἀργός (argos) and its cognate forms describe that which is idle, lazy, ineffective, or fruitless—literally “without work.” In Scripture it depicts persons, speech, and even faith that fail to accomplish their God-given purpose. Greco-Roman and Jewish Background Classical Greek writers used ἀργός for agricultural land left fallow or laborers shirking their duty. In Jewish wisdom literature idleness was branded folly (Proverbs 6:6-11; Sirach 33:26-29). The New Testament inherits both streams, treating idleness not merely as social irresponsibility but as moral and spiritual failure. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Matthew 12:36 warns that “every careless [argos] word” will be judged, placing idle speech under eschatological scrutiny. Theological Significance Idleness is more than a lack of activity; it is a deviation from the created mandate to work (Genesis 2:15) and bear fruit (John 15:8). The term therefore functions theologically to expose hearts disengaged from God’s purposes. Whether manifested in speech, faith, or lifestyle, ἀργός signals a rupture between confession and practice. Ethical and Pastoral Implications • Speech: Matthew 12:36 calls believers to steward words, recognizing their accountability before God. Fruitfulness versus Idleness Scripture regularly contrasts ἀργός with καρπός (“fruit”) and ἐνεργής (“effective”). The believer is summoned to move from argos to energy—“working out” salvation (Philippians 2:12-13) through Spirit-empowered activity that glorifies God and serves neighbor. Historical Reception in Church Tradition Early monastic rules, such as those of Basil and Benedict, identified acedia (spiritual sloth) as a deadly vice rooted in the concept of ἀργός. Reformers likewise stressed industrious vocation; Martin Luther viewed every lawful calling as a sphere where faith must prove fruitful. Throughout history revival movements have linked renewed zeal with repentance from idleness. Practical Application for Today 1. Examine speech: eliminate words that do not edify (Ephesians 4:29). Summary Strong’s 692 warns that idleness—whether of mouth, mind, or hands—contradicts the gospel’s call to fruitful stewardship. God’s redemptive plan converts the idle into productive laborers in His vineyard, assuring that “your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Englishman's Concordance Matthew 12:36 Adj-NNSGRK: πᾶν ῥῆμα ἀργὸν ὃ λαλήσουσιν NAS: you that every careless word KJV: That every idle word that INT: every word careless that may speak Matthew 20:3 Adj-AMP Matthew 20:6 Adj-NMP 1 Timothy 5:13 Adj-NFP 1 Timothy 5:13 Adj-NFP Titus 1:12 Adj-NFP James 2:20 Adj-NFS 2 Peter 1:8 Adj-AMP Strong's Greek 692 |
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