μωρός

stupid, foolish

Definition

The Greek word μωρός (mōros) primarily means 'foolish' or 'stupid,' describing a lack of understanding or moral sense. In the New Testament, it often refers to spiritual or moral folly, such as building a house on sand without a foundation (Matthew 7:26) or the unpreparedness of the foolish virgins (Matthew 25:2-3, 8). In Matthew 5:22, Jesus uses it to condemn contemptuous anger, equating calling someone 'You fool!' with serious moral fault. In a striking paradoxical use, 1 Corinthians 1:25 declares that the 'foolishness' of God is wiser than human wisdom, redefining the term in the context of the cross.

Biblical Usage

Μωρός is used 13 times, predominantly in Matthew's Gospel (12 times). Jesus employs it in teaching contexts: in the Sermon on the Mount to warn against contempt (Matthew 5:22) and practical foolishness (Matthew 7:26), in critiques of the Pharisees' blind religiosity (Matthew 23:17, 19), and in the parable of the ten virgins about eschatological unpreparedness (Matthew 25:2-3, 8). The single use outside Matthew is in 1 Corinthians 1:25, where Paul uses it theologically to contrast divine and human wisdom.

Etymology

Derived from the ancient Greek μωρός, meaning 'dull,' 'stupid,' or 'foolish.' It is related to the noun μωρία (mōria, G3472) meaning 'foolishness.' The root sense implies a sluggishness or dullness of mind, not merely intellectual deficiency but often a moral or spiritual blindness to what is truly important.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it touches on Christ's teaching about the heart, divine wisdom, and salvation. In Matthew 5:22, it underscores the seriousness of contempt and anger from the heart. In the parables, it highlights the peril of spiritual complacency and lack of preparation for God's kingdom. Most profoundly, in 1 Corinthians 1:25, it is central to the paradox of the cross—what seems foolish to the world is the very power and wisdom of God for salvation, redefining true wisdom as that which comes from God.

In the Greco-Roman world, foolishness was often seen as a lack of practical wisdom or philosophical understanding. In Jewish wisdom literature (like Proverbs), the 'fool' is one who rejects God's ways and acts with moral insolence. Jesus and Paul draw on and deepen this concept, applying it to those who are spiritually blind to God's revelation in Christ and his kingdom, making it a primarily religious and ethical category rather than just an intellectual one.

ἄφρων (aphrōn, G878) — emphasizes lack of sense or prudence, often 'senseless' or 'without understanding.' ἀνόητος (anoētos, G453) — stresses being 'unintelligent' or 'unthinking,' failing to grasp something obvious. μωρία (mōria, G3472) — the noun form 'foolishness,' denoting the quality or state.

Word Details

Scripture References