G3636 ὀκνηρός (oknērós)

Trouble (3636) (okneros is from okneo = to shrink, to hesitate, to delay) means that which causes reluctance or is tedious or bothersome (upsets a person's composure or which annoys and suggests interference with one's comfort or peace of mind). It describes being afraid to act, hesitating, shrinking or lazy. Paul is saying it is not bothersome for him to repeat truth so that they might be kept from being tripped up by false teaching. As Eadie phrases it "To repeat the same truth is to me no task of irksome monotony." Biblical truth is always the best safeguard from error! Okneros is found 3 times in the NAS (Matthew; Romans; Philippians) and is translated .lagging behind, 1; lazy, 1; trouble, 1. The KJV renders it grievous, 1; slothful, 2. TDNT writes that... Like oknos, which means “hesitation” through weariness, sloth, fear, bashfulness, or reserve, okneros is used a. of persons in the sense of “showing oknos,” “hesitating,” “anxious,” “negligent,” “slothful.” It thus denotes one who for various reasons or difficulties does not have the resolution to act... In the OT (Septuagint or LXX) okneros is often used in connection with rules of practical wisdom. Industry and work are here part of pious but prudent conduct. Thus okneros... depicts the slothful man who lacks the resolve to get to work (Pr 6:6, 9), who lets inconveniences stop him (Pr 20:4), or who, having no resolution, never moves on from the will to the deed (Pr 21:25). In contrast the continually active wife, who takes pleasure in work, is extolled (Pr 31:27). Impelled by the Spirit to equip Christians adequately for salvation, Paul (here in Phil 3:1-note) overcomes the dislike or distaste which might arise through repetition of his admonition. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) Vincent writes that okneros is found here and in... Matt. 25:26; Ro 12:11-note, in both (these latter) instances rendered slothful. (Ed note: thus conveying more the idea of lazy, idle, not active) From okneo to delay. Hence, in classical Greek, shrinking, backward, unready. The idea of delay underlies the secondary sense, burdensome, troublesome. It is the vexation arising from weary waiting, and which appears in the middle English irken to tire or to become tired, cognate with the Latin urgere to press, and English irk, irksome, work. AND IT IS A SAFEGUARD FOR YOU: humin de asphales: (Phil 2:17,18; 2Pe1:12, 13, 14, 15; 3:1) Spiritual joy is the best safety against error (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/philippians_31-6.htm#trouble

Lagging (3636)(okneros from okneo = to be slow, delay, hesitate) an adjective which means shrinking from or hesitating to (timid to) engage in something worthwhile, possibly implying lack of ambition. TDNT Okneros describes a. those who are slow to act through hesitation, anxiety, negligence, or sloth, and b. things that awaken suspicion, dislike, or fear. In the OT it is used for the slothful (Pr 6:6, 9) who let inconveniences stop them (Pr 20:4) or never move on from the will to the deed (Pr 21:25). Don't be slow, tardy, slothful, lazy in your diligence (interesting mix of words isn't it?) Here are the other 2 uses of okneros Matthew 25:26 "But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Okneros - 12 uses in the Septuagint where it is repeatedly translated "sluggard" a word which describes a habitually lazy person, one who is habitually indolent. - Pr 6:6, 9; 11:16; 18:8; Pr 20:4; 21:25; 22:13; 26:13, 14, 15; Pr 31:27;