from a compound of πολύς and λόγος; loquacity, i.e. prolixity:--much speaking.
Transliteration:polylogía
Pronunciation:pol-oo-log-ee'-ah
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term πολυλογία (polylogía, `{{G4180}}`) is a compound word derived from πολύς (polys, `{{G4183}}`), meaning "much" or "many," and λόγος (logos, `{{G3056}}`), meaning "word" or "speech." Therefore, its literal meaning is "much speaking" or "many words." Semantically, it denotes loquacity, verbosity, or prolixity. The nuance of polylogía is consistently negative, implying speech that is superfluous, empty, or unedifying. It suggests a quantity of words that lacks corresponding substance, sincerity, or appropriate purpose, often bordering on aimless babbling or vain repetition.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term polylogía (`{{G4180}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Matthew:
* [[Matthew 6:7]]: "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their *polylogía*."
In this critical passage, part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, polylogía is directly linked to the practice of "empty phrases" (βαττολογέω, battologéō, `{{G945}}`), often translated as "babbling" or "vain repetitions." Jesus contrasts this Gentile (pagan) approach to prayer with the true, sincere, and focused prayer that is directed to God in secret. The condemnation is not against lengthy prayer per se, but against the *motivation* and *quality* of the speech. It targets the superstitious belief that sheer volume, repetition, or elaborate incantations can manipulate or compel God. Jesus emphasizes that God already knows what His children need before they ask ([[Matthew 6:8]]), rendering such "much speaking" unnecessary and even offensive. The focus is on the heart's disposition rather than the mouth's output.
### Related Words & Concepts
* πολύς (polys, `{{G4183}}`): The root signifying "much" or "many," emphasizing the quantity aspect of the word.
* λόγος (logos, `{{G3056}}`): The root signifying "word" or "speech," indicating the nature of the communication.
* βαττολογέω (battologéō, `{{G945}}`): "To babble, to repeat aimlessly, to use empty phrases." This verb, used in parallel with polylogía in [[Matthew 6:7]], clarifies the negative connotation of "much speaking" as "vain repetition" or "meaningless babble."
* Old Testament parallels offer significant insight into the concept of excessive speech:
* [[Ecclesiastes 5:2]]: "God is in heaven and you are on earth; therefore let your words be few." This wisdom literature directly warns against רב דברים (rav devarim, "many words") and associates it with the voice of a fool ([[Ecclesiastes 5:3]]).
* [[Proverbs 10:19]]: "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." This proverb highlights the inherent danger of verbal excess leading to sin.
* [[Proverbs 17:27]]: "Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding." This connects the discipline of speech with wisdom and understanding.
These Old Testament passages collectively reinforce the New Testament's caution against polylogía, extending the principle beyond prayer to general communication.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of polylogía (`{{G4180}}`) is profound, primarily within the context of prayer. It serves as a stark warning against:
1. **Performative Prayer:** Prayer offered to be seen or heard by others, rather than genuinely addressing God.
2. **Superstitious Prayer:** The belief that the sheer volume, length, or repetition of words can compel or manipulate God, akin to pagan incantations. This directly challenges the pagan notion of deities needing to be impressed or informed by elaborate rituals.
3. **Lack of Trust in God's Omniscience:** Jesus' teaching on polylogía is immediately followed by the assurance that "your Father knows what you need before you ask him" ([[Matthew 6:8]]). This underscores God's perfect knowledge and benevolent nature, rendering verbose explanations unnecessary.
Instead, polylogía implicitly promotes a theology of prayer characterized by sincerity, humility, and trust in God's character. True prayer is a communion of hearts, not a contest of words. This concept aligns with a broader biblical emphasis on disciplined and purposeful speech, warning against idle words ([[Matthew 12:36]]), gossip, and empty talk, and promoting speech that is edifying, truthful, and gracious ([[Ephesians 4:29]], [[Colossians 4:6]]). While polylogía specifically addresses prayer, its underlying principle resonates with the general call for wise and restrained communication in all aspects of life.
### Summary
Polylogía (`{{G4180}}`) signifies "much speaking" or "prolixity," carrying a distinct negative connotation of excessive, empty, or vain words. Its singular appearance in [[Matthew 6:7]] is pivotal, where Jesus admonishes against the Gentile practice of polylogía in prayer, equating it with "empty phrases" (`{{G945}}`). This teaching is not a prohibition against lengthy prayer, but a condemnation of prayer motivated by a belief that sheer volume or repetition can sway God, or that it is offered for human applause. It underscores that authentic prayer is a sincere, humble communion with a God who already knows our needs and hears the heart. This New Testament principle finds strong echoes in Old Testament wisdom literature that consistently cautions against the dangers of many words leading to folly or transgression (e.g., [[Proverbs 10:19]], [[Ecclesiastes 5:2]]). The theological implication is a call to a quality of prayer rooted in faith and genuine relationship, rather than a performative or superstitious reliance on verbose expressions.
TRV