"to be unemployed, to be at leisure; to be at leisure for a thing, to devote one’s self entirely to a thing, 1 Cor. 7:5; to be unoccupied, empty, Mt. 12:44*"
Definition and meaning
to be unemployed, to be at leisure; to be at leisure for a thing, to devote one’s self entirely to a thing, 1 Cor. 7:5; to be unoccupied, empty, Mt. 12:44*
In the original Greek the word is written: σχολάζω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of scholazo (G4980) across the King James Bible.
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
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Common questions
Strong's G4980 (scholazo) is a Greek word that means: to be unemployed, to be at leisure; to be at leisure for a thing, to devote one’s self entirely to a thing, 1 Cor. 7:5; to be unoccupied, empty, Mt. 12:44* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word scholazo (G4980) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4980 is scholazo, a Greek word defined as: to be unemployed, to be at leisure; to be at leisure for a thing, to devote one’s self entirely to a thing, 1 Cor. 7:5; to be unoccupied, empty, Mt. 1. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
scholazo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.