μομφή G3437
complaint, blame; cause or expression of dissatisfaction
This feminine noun denotes a complaint, reproach, or cause for blame. In Colossians 3:13, Paul instructs believers to bear with one another and forgive if anyone has a complaint against another. The multilingual glosses identify complaint, blame, or reproach (Spanish queja, French/German forms). Classical usage includes both the act of complaining and the grounds for complaint. The term appears in contexts of interpersonal grievance where forbearance and forgiveness become necessary.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Colossians 3:13 addresses handling complaints within the Christian community through forbearance and forgiveness. The cross-linguistic evidence emphasizes complaint and grievance. Paul assumes genuine causes for complaint will arise among believers—the question is how to respond. His answer: bear with one another patiently and forgive freely, just as the Lord forgave you. The term acknowledges real grievances while calling for grace-based resolution rather than nursing resentment or demanding vindication. 1×
AR["شَكوى"]·ben["অভিযোগ"]·DE["Klage"]·EN["complaint"]·FR["μομφήν"]·heb["תְּלוּנָה"]·HI["शिकयत"]·ID["keluhan"]·IT["momphēn"]·jav["panggresah"]·KO["불평을"]·PT["queixa"]·RU["жалобу"]·ES["queja"]·SW["malalamiko"]·TR["sikayete"]·urd["شکایت"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
μομφή, ἡ, poetry form of μέμψις (also in Refs 5th c.BC+, blame, reproof, Refs 5th c.BC+; cause of complaint, μομφὰν ἔχειν τινί Refs 5th c.BC+; ἕν σοι μομφὴν ἔχω in one thing I blame thee, NT+5th c.BC+