Greek word · G814
ἀτάκτως
ataktōs
idly
This is the adverb of ataktos, 'not in order'. The root tassō means to arrange or draw up soldiers in ranks. So the basic picture is being out of formation: a soldier who breaks ranks or a crowd with no order. In everyday business Greek the verb atakteō was used for an apprentice who skipped work.
Appears 2 times in 2 verses of 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 2 Thessalonians 3:6
- Range of meaning
This is the adverb of ataktos, 'not in order'. The root tassō means to arrange or draw up soldiers in ranks. So the basic picture is being out of formation: a soldier who breaks ranks or a crowd with no order. From there the word widened to anyone failing to keep their assigned place or duty: undisciplined, unruly, irresponsible. In everyday business Greek the verb atakteō was used for an apprentice who skipped work.
- Against the English
KJV 'disorderly' keeps the root idea, but modern readers hear rowdy or chaotic behaviour. NIV, ESV and NLT 'idle' (NIV adds 'disruptive') name the particular failure the context describes, but they read it into the word, and 'idle' now suggests simple laziness. BSB 'undisciplined' and NASB 'unruly' stay closest to the word's range. WEB 'in rebellion' is too strong: the word can include defiance, but it does not mean revolt.
- How it drifted
The English renderings split the word. 'Disorderly' lost its sense of failing in a duty and came to mean noisy or chaotic. 'Idle' narrowed the word to idleness, which is right for this context, and the word then picked up modern overtones of a lazy personality.
- Used elsewhere in the period
Classical writers such as Thucydides and Xenophon use ataktos of troops out of formation. Two Oxyrhynchus papyri are apprenticeship contracts: P.Oxy. II 275 (AD 66) and IV 725 (AD 183). Both require the apprentice to make up any days he 'plays truant' (atakteō) (Moulton & Milligan; Milligan's 1908 Thessalonians commentary). Paul uses the word group only in the Thessalonian letters: 1 Thess 5:14 'warn the ataktous', and here in vv.6, 7 ('we were not out of line among you') and 11.
Similar words
Where it appears
2 Thessalonians · 2
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2 Thessalonians 3:6 ἀτάκτως idly
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.
Here: Literally 'out of rank', like a soldier who leaves his line. In everyday Greek it was also used for skipping work. Verses 7–12 show the specific failure: not working, living off others, and meddling.
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2 Thessalonians 3:11 ἀτάκτως, idly,
For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies.
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.