Greek word · G3437
μομφή, μέμψις
momphē, mempsis
complaint
Blame, reproach, a complaint, a ground for finding fault. It comes from the verb memphomai, "to find fault, blame." The word names the grievance itself, whether or not the other party has done anything about it.
Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
From the study of Colossians 3:13
- Range of meaning
Blame, reproach, a complaint, a ground for finding fault. It comes from the verb memphomai, "to find fault, blame." The word names the grievance itself, whether or not the other party has done anything about it.
- Against the English
"Complaint" (BSB, ESV, WEB) and "grievance" (NIV) are close. KJV/YLT "quarrel" meant a complaint or grievance in 1611 but now suggests an argument. NLT's "anyone who offends you" narrows it to hurt feelings.
- How it drifted
KJV's "quarrel" comes from Latin querela, "complaint," which is the word the Vulgate uses here. The older English sense "ground for complaint" has since died out, and "quarrel" now means a dispute.
- Used elsewhere in the period
This is the only New Testament use. The word is found in classical poetry and drama (for example Pindar and Euripides) meaning blame or reproach. The related verb appears in Romans 9:19 ("Why does he still find fault?"), Hebrews 8:8 (God "finding fault" with his people) and Sirach 11:7 ("Do not find fault before you investigate").
Where it appears
Colossians · 1
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Colossians 3:13 μομφήν· a complaint;
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Here: A ground for blaming someone, a grievance. It appears only here in the New Testament. The word allows that the complaint may be fully justified: Paul is not telling people to pretend no wrong was done.
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.