### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
G2636 (katalalía) is derived from G2637 (katalalos), meaning "a slanderer" or "backbiter." The word itself combines the preposition G2596 (kata), signifying "down" or "against," with G2980 (laleo), meaning "to speak." Thus, katalalía fundamentally means "speaking against" or "speaking down upon" someone. Its core semantic range encompasses defamation, evil speaking, and backbiting. This is not merely idle chatter or innocent gossip, but speech that is inherently malicious or carelessly destructive, aimed at damaging another's reputation, character, or standing, often in their absence. It implies a deliberate or negligent disregard for truth and the well-being of others, standing in stark opposition to speech that builds up and edifies. The nuances of katalalía range from subtle, insidious whispering campaigns to overt, reputation-destroying slander.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term katalalía appears twice in the New Testament, both instances underscoring its detrimental impact on the Christian community and individual spiritual health.
* In [[2 Corinthians 12:20]], the Apostle Paul expresses his fear of finding the Corinthian church plagued by various sins upon his arrival: "For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as I wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander `{{G2636}}`, gossip, conceit, disorder." Here, katalalía is listed among behaviors that indicate deep-seated disunity and strife within the church body. Its inclusion alongside "quarreling," "jealousy," and "disorder" highlights its role in fracturing relationships and undermining communal harmony, revealing a lack of love and spiritual maturity.
* In [[1 Peter 2:1]], Peter exhorts believers to purify their lives: "So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander `{{G2636}}`." This command places katalalía squarely among other sinful attitudes and actions that hinder spiritual growth and the reception of God's word. The context is an appeal for believers, having been born again, to live lives consistent with their new identity in Christ. This implies that katalalía is antithetical to the character of God and the nature of the redeemed community, a behavior to be actively renounced and purged.
### Related Words & Concepts
Katalalía operates within a rich semantic field of Greek words related to speech, particularly negative forms of communication:
* G2637 (katalalos): The agent noun, "slanderer" or "backbiter." It is used in [[Romans 1:30]] to describe those given over to a depraved mind, emphasizing the person who engages in katalalía.
* G2556 (kakologia): Literally "evil speaking," often referring to reviling, insulting, or abusive speech ([[Matthew 15:19]], [[Mark 7:22]], [[1 Peter 3:9]]). While similar, katalalía typically implies speaking *about* someone in their absence, whereas kakologia can be more direct verbal abuse.
* G988 (blasphemia): "Blasphemy," but also "slander" or "railing" against others ([[Ephesians 4:31]], [[Colossians 3:8]]). This term can encompass more severe forms of verbal abuse and defamation, including speaking against God.
* G5587 (psithurismos): "Whispering," often with the implication of secret slandering or gossip ([[2 Corinthians 12:20]]). It is closely associated with katalalía and often serves as a means by which backbiting spreads insidiously.
* G1228 (diabolos): The "slanderer" or "accuser," a primary title for Satan ([[Revelation 12:10]]). This connection highlights the demonic origin and nature of slander, portraying it as an act that mirrors the adversary's work of accusation and division.
* G2980 (laleo): The general term for "to speak." The prefix kata- transforms neutral speech into something directed *against* another, demonstrating how a common act can be perverted for destructive ends.
Understanding katalalía requires recognizing its specific place among these terms as a distinct form of destructive, reputation-damaging speech, often insidious and divisive.
### Theological Significance
The consistent condemnation of katalalía in the New Testament is deeply rooted in profound theological principles:
1. **Violation of God's Image:** Since humanity is created in the *imago Dei* ([[Genesis 1:26-27]]), speaking evil of another person is, in essence, an affront to the Creator ([[James 3:9-10]]). It devalues a fellow image-bearer and disrespects God's creative work.
2. **Destruction of Community and Love:** Katalalía is invariably listed among vices that erode unity, love, and peace within the Christian community. It acts as a poison that corrodes trust and fosters division, directly opposing the call for believers to live in harmony and mutual edification ([[Romans 12:10]], [[Ephesians 4:29]]). At its core, katalalía manifests a profound lack of agape love, which "does not dishonor others" and "keeps no record of wrongs" ([[1 Corinthians 13:5]]).
3. **Incompatibility with the Regenerate Nature:** The inclusion of katalalía in lists of vices characteristic of the unregenerate mind ([[Romans 1:29-31]]) underscores its incompatibility with the new life in Christ. For Peter, it is something to be "rid of" as part of the purification process for those born again ([[1 Peter 2:1]]), signifying that such behavior is antithetical to the Spirit-filled life.
4. **The Power of the Tongue:** The New Testament places significant emphasis on the power of the tongue, often likening it to a small rudder that steers a large ship, capable of immense destruction if not controlled ([[James 3:5-8]]). Katalalía is a prime example of the tongue's destructive potential when wielded by an unbridled spirit, capable of setting "the whole course of one's life on fire."
Theologically, engaging in katalalía is not merely a social misstep; it is a serious sin that damages relationships, grieves the Holy Spirit, and hinders the church's witness to a watching world.
### Summary
Katalalía (`{{G2636}}`) signifies defamation, backbiting, or evil speaking—speech directed against another person, often in their absence, with the intent or effect of damaging their reputation or character. It is biblically condemned in [[2 Corinthians 12:20]] and [[1 Peter 2:1]] as a destructive force that undermines communal harmony and spiritual purity. This term is closely related to other negative forms of speech such as kakologia (`{{G2556}}`), blasphemia (`{{G988}}`), and psithurismos (`{{G5587}}`), and is even associated with the work of the diabolos (`{{G1228}}`), the slanderer. Theologically, katalalía is a serious sin because it violates the principle of loving one's neighbor, destroys Christian unity, and reflects an unregenerate heart, standing in stark opposition to the edifying and truthful speech expected of believers. It highlights the critical importance of controlling the tongue for the glory of God and the health of the church.
TRV