Grumbling (1112) (goggusmos from goggúzo = to say anything in a low tone, English = gong) is an audible expression of an unwarranted dissatisfaction = expression of one's discontent. Expression in low tones of disapprobation (act or state of disapproving). Grumbling, grudging, murmuring, complaining (= making formal accusation or expressing dissatisfaction, resentment, displeasure or annoyance). It can reflect a a secret debate or secret displeasure not openly avowed (see use in John 7:12). Arndt, et al, say that goggusmos is... utterance made in a low tone of voice (the context indicates whether the utterance is one of discontent or satisfaction), behind-the-scenes talk. (Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature) Goggusmos is an onomatopoeic word (two g’s in Greek are pronounced ng) derived from the sound made when murmuring or muttering in a low and indistinct voice with the idea of complaint. The English dictionary defines grumble as complaining in a bad-tempered, nagging or discontented way or making a low, dull rumbling sounds. Wuest comments that goggusmos refers... not to a loud outspoken dissatisfaction, but to that undertone murmuring which one sometimes hears in the lobbies of our present day churches where certain cliques are “having it out,” so to speak, among themselves. The word refers to the act of murmuring against men, not God. The use of this word shows that the divisions among the Philippians had not yet risen to the point of loud dissension. The word was used of those who confer secretly, of those who discontentedly complain. The word is found in a secular document reporting an interview between Marcus Aurelius and a rebel. A veteran present interposes with the remark, “Lord, while you are sitting in judgment, the Romans are murmuring.” (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Studies in the Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament: Grand Rapids: Eerdmans) In secular Greek there is a use of goggusmos describing grumbling dissatisfaction at disappointed expectations." (TDNT adds) "The idea is that a supposedly legitimate claim is not met. What is denoted is a strong personal attitude. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) Barclay adds that... It describes the low, threatening, discontented muttering of a mob who distrust their leaders and are on the verge of an uprising. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press) Goggusmos is found 4 times in the NAS (John; Acts; Philippians; 1 Peter) and is translated in the NAS as complaint, 2; grumbling, 2. The KJV translates it grudging, 1; murmuring, 3. Goggusmos is found 7 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Ex 16:7, 8 = twice, Ex 16:9, 12, Nu 17:5, 17:10, Isa 58:9) and most describe the children of Israel in the wilderness and their stubborn spirit speaking against God in a reprehensible way. Little wonder Paul commands those who have been born again and have a new nature to assiduously avoid such an attitude. The Exegetical Dictionary has an interesting observation on this word group (so that the following Scriptural annotations include the verb gogguzo) writing that... The subjects of gogguzo are individuals: in Matt 20:11, the workers in the vineyard; Luke 5:30, Pharisees and scribes; John 6:41, 43" class="scriptRef">43, the Jews; 7:32, the wavering masses; 6:61, the doubting disciples; 1 Cor 10:10, the people of Israel during the wanderings in the desert. The persons against which (kata, pros, peri) grumbling is directed are the householder of Matt 20:11, the disciples in Luke 5:30, Jesus in John 6:41 (43) and 7:32, a statement of Jesus in John 6:61, and the Lord, against Whom the people of Israel grumbled, in 1 Cor 10:10. (Balz, H. R., & Schneider, G. . Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans) John records that when Jesus had gone to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Booths there was much grumbling (goggusmos) among the multitudes (Jews) concerning Him (Jesus); some were saying, "He is a good man"; others were saying, "No, on the contrary, He leads the multitude astray." (John 7:12) (Comment: In this use the idea of goggusmos is not completely negative and can be defined more as secret talk or whispering) Commenting on goggusmos in this passage in John 7 Barclay writes that... It indicates a kind of growling, discontented undertone. It is the word used for the grumbling of the children of Israel in the wilderness when they complained against Moses. They muttered the complaints they were afraid to utter out loud. Fear can keep a man from making a clarion call of his faith and can turn it into an indistinct mutter. The Christian should never be afraid to tell the world in ringing tones that he believes in Christ. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press) Luke records the second use of goggusmos writing in Acts... Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint (goggusmos) arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. (Acts 6:1) Peter records the final use of goggusmos exhorting the saints to... Be hospitable to one another without complaint (goggusmos) (see note 1Peter 4:9) (Comment: John MacArthur quips that hospitality in the Scriptures knows nothing of the "Poor Richard's Almanac" mentality that says fish and guests smell after three days! - from his commentary on 1Peter) Goggusmos is used 5 times in the LXX Exodus 16... So Moses and Aaron said to all the sons of Israel, "At evening you will know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt; 7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, for He hears your grumblings against the LORD; and what are we, that you grumble against us?" 8 And Moses said, "This will happen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and bread to the full in the morning; for the LORD hears your grumblings which you grumble against Him. And what are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the LORD." 9 Then Moses said to Aaron, "Say to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, 'Come near before the LORD, for He has heard your grumblings.'" 10 And it came about as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. 11 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 12 "I have heard the grumblings of the sons of Israel; speak to them, saying, 'At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God.'" (Exodus 16:6-12) Why is "grumbling" so bad? What insight does Scripture give? (cf Jude1:16) The psalmist explains they (Israel) despised the pleasant land. They did not believe in His word but grumbled in their tents. They did not listen to the voice of the LORD. (Ps 106:24, 25-see notes) Paul explains that... Nor grumble (related verb gogguzo), as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer (as some did after the judgment on the rebels who were led by Korah in Nu 16:41-50). (1Cor 10:10) In this passage unbelief is contrasted with grumbling! So when we grumble we are saying God we don't believe God is sovereign and that He is able. We don't believe He is the Giver of all good gifts. We don't trust Him to work out all things for our good and for His glory. Steven Cole gives an illustration of grumbling which should cause all of us to "wince"... A little old lady walked into a department store one day and was surprised when a band began to play and an executive pinned an orchid on her dress and handed her a crisp $100 bill. She was the store’s millionth customer. Television cameras were focused on her and reporters began interviewing her. “Tell me,” one asked, “just what did you come here for today?” The lady hesitated for a minute and then sheepishly answered, “I was on my way to the Complaint Department.” How embarrassing! But I wonder, if there had been a secret video camera recording your life this past week, how much grumbling would have been captured on film? Maybe you even came to church like that lady went to the department store, ready to air your complaints or to give someone a piece of your mind. But God meets you at the door and pins His Word on you: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, a child of God above reproach in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine forth as a light in the world.” Grumble, grumble--NOT!...Why is affirming the sovereignty of God in all things so important in learning to live with joy rather than with grumbling? (Read his sermon Philippians 2:14-18 Grumble, Grumble - NOT!)