Idle

1Timothy 5:13-16 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. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan. If any man or woman that believes have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. 

‘Idle’ [Greek: argos] doing nothing; lazy. Translated “idle” (5:13; Matt. 12:36; 20:3, 20:6); “slow” (Tit. 1:12); and “barren” (2Pet. 1:8). We are commanded in 1Thessalonians 4:11 to study to be quiet, and to do our own business, and to work with our own hands.

‘Wandering about’ [Greek: perierchomai] to go about aimlessly as a vagrant. Translated “wander about” (5:13; Heb. 11:37); “vagabond” (Acts 19:13); and “fetch a compass” (Acts 28:13). Any form of idle communications or gossip is condemned in God’s Word as we see in 1Corinthians 15:33: “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” and in Matthew 12:36: “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Most people ‘get together’ in what is called socializing today where there is non-stop idle communication and gossiping – discussing others. Remember the truths of 1Peter 3:10-11 “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.”

‘Tattlers’ [Greek: phluaros] silly talker; a fool; prater.

‘Busybodies’ [Greek: periergos] Translated as “busy-body” (5:13) and “curious arts” (Acts 19:19). Most people confuse caring for meddling and prying which is actually interfering in other people’s lives thinking they have the right to discuss their issues with whoever will listen or force their opinions on them disguised as so-called advice.

‘Marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.’ Four commands for young women: To marry (5:14; Heb. 13:4; 1Cor. 7:1-40). To bear children (5:14; Gen. 1:28). To guide the house (5:14). To give no ground to satan (5:14-15).

‘For some are already turned aside after satan.’ Seven steps in the fall of some women: Becoming insolent to Christ (5:11). Breaking Christian vows through unfavourable remarriage. Casting off first faith (5:12). Learning to be idle (5:13). Becoming tattlers. Becoming busybodies. Ending as followers of satan (5:15).

‘If any man or woman that believe have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.’ Christians who have widows must support them and not depend upon their congregations to care for them.