1 Timothy 5:13
in 1 Timothy 5At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And withal they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
KJV
And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
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This verse in 1 Timothy 5
Commentary
13 notes on this versePaul speaks of idle persons and busybodies, whether virgins or widows, such as go from house to house calling on married women. They display an unblushing effrontery greater than that of a stage parasite. Cast them from you as you would the plague. For "evil communications corrupt good manners," and women like these care for nothing but their lowest appetites. They will often urge you, saying, "My dear creature, make the best of your advantages, and live while life is yours," and, "Surely you are not laying up money for your children."
This site's exposition
But the younger widows refuse
on 1 Timothy 5:11-13
Refuse the younger widows carries a practical concern, not a low view of youth: when the desire to remarry outgrows a vow tied to the roll's support, the traditional reading of wax wanton against Christ, broken vows and idle, gadding habits follow, tattlers and busybodies speaking things they ought not. Having damnation and cast off their first faith are read either as a broken pledge to the church's care or as a serious lapse of devotion, both readings held by careful interpreters without agreement on which is meant. Paul's concern is the same one that shapes the whole roll, a structure built to serve rather than to tempt.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers5 voices
And also they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; not only idle, but also gossips and chatterers, speaking things they ought not. — [OECUMENIUS] And also they learn to be idle. How do the idle women learn? Having the men who …
A commentator
Augustine of HippoON NATURE AND ORIGINAL SIN 39.34 · Written in the 5th century.
proposed
Marriage is a good in all the things which are proper to the married state. And these are three: it is the ordained means of procreation, it is the guarantee of chastity, it is the bond of union. In respect of its ordination for generation the Scripture says, "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house." As regards its guaranteeing chastity, it is said of it, "The wife has not power over her own body, but the husband; and likewise also the husband has not power over his own body, but the wife. And considered as the bond of union, "What God has joined together, let no one put asunder."
Pursue earnestly, therefore, the virtue of continence, which is modesty's agent; industry, which allows not women to be "wanderers; " frugality, which scorns the world.
It is true that in writing to Timothy the apostle from fear of fornication is forced to countenance second marriage.… He is offering not a crown to those who stand but a helping hand to those who are down. What must a second marriage be if it is looked on merely as an alternative to the brothel!
Thus he commands not only men, but women also, to work. For idleness is the teacher of every sin. And not only are they exposed to this condemnation, but to other sins. If therefore it is unbecoming for a married woman "to go from house to house," much more is it for a virgin. What then happens, when the care for the husband is withdrawn, and the care to please God does not constrain them? They naturally become idlers, tattlers, and busybodies. For he who does not attend to his own concerns will be meddling with those of others, even as he who minds his own business will take no account of and have no care about the affairs of another. And nothing is so unbecoming to a woman, as to busy herself in the concerns of others, and it is no less unbecoming to a man. This is a great sign of impudence and forwardness.
6 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church2 voices
Besides the already mentioned condemnation for sins, they are guilty of yet another thing, namely that they learn to be idle, going about from house to house. And idleness teaches every evil. Consequently, idleness is unbecoming not only for men, but also for women. Rightly …
From the second result, namely, that they do not labor, there flow three evils: the first evil is idleness: idleness has taught much evil (Sir 33:29); this was the sin of Sodom, your sister, fullness of bread, and abundance, and her idleness (Ezek 16:49); he …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Observe, It is seldom that those who are idle are idle only, they learn to be tattlers and busy-bodies, and to make mischief among neighbours, and sow discord among brethren.
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
Ac 19:19, "curious," the same Greek. Curiosity usually springs from idleness, which is itself the mother of garrulity [CALVIN]. speaking--not merely "saying." The subject-matter, as well as the form, is involved in the Greek word [ALFORD]. which they ought not-- (Tit 1:11).
And withal they learn to be idle - They do not love work, and they will not work. Wandering about from house to house - Gadding, gossiping; never contented with home; always visiting. And not only idle - If it went no farther, this would be intolerable; but they are tattlers - tale-bearers; whisperers; light, trifling persons; all noise and no work. Busybodies - Persons who meddle with the concerns of others; who mind every one’s business but their own. Speaking things which they ought not - Lies, slanders, calumnies; backbiting their neighbors, and everywhere sowing the seed of dissension.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
And withal - In addition to the prospect that they may marry again, there are other disadvantages which might follow from such an arrangement, and other evils to be feared which it is desirable to avoid. They learn to be idle - That is, if supported by the church, and if without the settled principles which might be expected in those more aged and experienced, it may be feared that they will give themselves up to an indolent life.
The words behind it
21 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ἅμα | hama | At the same time | G260 → | |
| δὲ | de | then | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| καὶ | kai | also | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ἀργαὶ | argai | [to be] idle | G692 → | |
| μανθάνουσιν | manthanousin | they learn | G3129 → | 25 times |
| περιερχόμεναι | perierchomenai | going about | G4022 → | |
| τὰς | tas | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| οἰκίας. | oikias | house to house. | G3614 → | |
| οὐ | ou | not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| μόνον | monon | only | G3441 → | 110 times |
| δὲ | de | then | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| ἀργαί, | argai | idle, | G692 → | |
| ἀλλὰ | alla | but | G235 → | 635 times |
| καὶ | kai | also | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| φλύαροι | phluaroi | gossips | G5397 → | |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| περίεργοι, | periergoi | busybodies, | G4021 → | |
| λαλοῦσαι | lalousai | speaking | G2980 → | |
| τὰ | ta | <the> [things] | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| μὴ | me | not | G3361 → | 1066 times |
| δέοντα.¶ | deonta | being proper. | G1163 → | 101 times |
ἅμαAt the same time
hamaG260 →
δὲthen
deG1161 →2765 times
καὶalso
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ἀργαὶ[to be] idle
argaiG692 →
μανθάνουσινthey learn
manthanousinG3129 →25 times
περιερχόμεναιgoing about
perierchomenaiG4022 →
τὰς<the>
tasG3588 →19766 times
οἰκίας.house to house.
oikiasG3614 →
οὐnot
ouG3756 →1664 times
μόνονonly
mononG3441 →110 times
δὲthen
deG1161 →2765 times
ἀργαί,idle,
argaiG692 →
ἀλλὰbut
allaG235 →635 times
καὶalso
kaiG2532 →9120 times
φλύαροιgossips
phluaroiG5397 →
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
περίεργοι,busybodies,
periergoiG4021 →
λαλοῦσαιspeaking
lalousaiG2980 →
τὰ<the> [things]
taG3588 →19766 times
μὴnot
meG3361 →1066 times
δέοντα.¶being proper.
deontaG1163 →101 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Proverbs 20:19He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
it leads to
- Proverbs 11:13
A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 11:13
Through
Luke 10:7Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
it leads to
- 1 Timothy 5:17–18
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
- 1 Timothy 5:17–18
Through
Proverbs 31:27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
it leads to
- 1 Timothy 5:10
and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.
- Titus 2:4
In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children,
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6
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…
- 1 Timothy 5:10
Through
Leviticus 19:16You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD.
it leads to
- Exodus 23:1
“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.
- Exodus 23:7
Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty.
- Proverbs 20:19
He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
- Exodus 23:1
About 1 Timothy
This page draws on 13 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, ON NATURE AND ORIGINAL SIN 39.34; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, LETTERS 22.29; Jerome, LETTERS 79.10; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Timothy 15; John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, COMMENTARY ON 1 TIMOTHY; Tertullian, To His Wife Book I; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Timothy and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Timothy.