βραδύς

slow

Definition

The adjective βραδύς primarily means 'slow' or 'sluggish.' In the New Testament, it describes a slowness to act or understand. In Luke 24:25, Jesus calls the disciples on the road to Emmaus 'slow of heart' (βραδεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ), meaning they were slow to believe and comprehend the prophecies about the Messiah. In James 1:19, believers are exhorted to be 'slow to speak' (βραδὺς εἰς τὸ λαλῆσαι) and 'slow to anger,' emphasizing deliberate, patient restraint in speech and emotion.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the New Testament, but in two distinct contexts that illustrate its range. In Luke 24:25, it is used metaphorically to critique a spiritual and intellectual slowness in understanding Scripture. In James 1:19, it is used in ethical instruction, prescribing a virtuous slowness as part of Christian character. Both uses imply a deficiency or a needed correction—either in belief or in self-control.

Etymology

Derived from the ancient Greek root βραδύς, meaning 'slow,' 'long,' or 'tardy.' It is related to the verb βραδύνω (bradynō, G1019), meaning 'to delay' or 'to be slow.' The concept is fundamentally about a lack of speed or promptness, whether in physical movement, mental perception, or emotional response.

Semantic Range

This word highlights important spiritual themes. The 'slowness of heart' in Luke 24:25 underscores humanity's need for divine illumination to understand God's plan, fulfilled in Christ's teaching. In James, being 'slow to speak and slow to anger' is presented as a fruit of wisdom and a practical outworking of the gospel, contrasting human reactivity with godly patience. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by clarifying that the biblical call is often to a deliberate, thoughtful pace in faith and conduct.

In the Greco-Roman world, slowness could be viewed negatively as a lack of vigor or positively as a sign of deliberate, thoughtful action. The New Testament usage, especially in James, aligns with wisdom traditions that valued measured speech and controlled anger as marks of maturity and virtue, countering rashness and impulsive behavior.

νωθρός (nōthros, G3576) — implies dullness, sluggishness, or laziness, often spiritual (Hebrews 5:11; 6:12). ἀργός (argos, G692) — means idle, inactive, or useless, often in a practical sense (Matthew 20:3, 6).

Word Details

Scripture References