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Selected Verse: 1 Timothy 5:13 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Ti 5:13 |
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
withal--"at the same time, moreover."
learn--usually in a good sense. But these women's "learning" is idleness, trifling, and busybodies' tattle.
wandering--Greek, "going about."
from house to house--of the members of the Church (Ti2 3:6). "They carry the affairs of this house to that, and of that to this; they tell the affairs of all to all" [THEOPHYLACT].
tattlers--literally "trifling talkers." In Jo3 1:10, translated "prating."
busybodies--mischievously busy; inconsiderately curious (Th2 3:11). Act 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). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
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. There would be a security in the age and established habits of these more advanced in life, which there could not be in their case. The apostle does not mean that widows are naturally disposed to be idle, but that in the situation referred to there would be danger of it.
Wandering about from house to house - A natural consequence of supposing that they had nothing to do, and a practice not only profitless, but always attended with mischief.
Tattlers also - Literally, "overflowing;" then overflowing with talk; praters, triflers. They would learn all the news; become acquainted with the secrets of families, and of course indulge in much idle and improper conversation. Our word "gossipers" would accurately express the meaning here. The noun does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. The verb occurs in Joh 3:10; rendered, "prating against."
And busy-bodies - see the notes on Th2 3:11. The word means, probably, "working all round, overdoing," and then "an intermeddler." Persons who have nothing to do of their own, commonly find employment by interesting themselves in the affairs of their neighbors. No one likes to be wholly idle, and if anyone is not found doing what he ought to do, he will commonly be found engaged in doing what he ought not.
Speaking things which they ought not - Revealing the concerns of their neighbors; disclosing secrets; magnifying trifles, so as to exalt themselves into importance, as if they were entrusted with the secrets of others; inventing stories and tales of gossip, that they may magnify and maintain their own consequence in the community. No persons are commonly more dangerous to the peace of a neighborhood than those who have nothing to do. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
They learn (μανθάνουσιν)
To be taken absolutely, as Co1 14:31; Ti2 3:7. They go about under the influence of an insatiable curiosity, and meet those who "creep into houses and take captive silly women" (Ti2 3:7), and learn all manner of nonsense and error.
Going about (περιερχόμεναι)
oP. Comp. Act 19:13.
Tattlers (φλύαροι)
N.T.o. Comp. 4 Macc. 5:10. The verb φλυαρεῖν to prate, Jo3 1:10.
Busybodies (περίεργοι)
In this sense only here. Comp. τὰ περίεργα curious arts, Act 19:19. The participle περιεργαζομένοι busybodies, Th2 3:11. See note. Rend. the whole passage: "And withal, being also idle, they learn, gadding about from house to house; and not only (are they) idle, but tattlers also, and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not." |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
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. |
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.