We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12).
Being from El Salvador, my wife likes to use the word “metido” or “metida.” That’s a bit of slang for the word entrometido or entrometida, depending on the gender of the one she’s speaking about. But brother, don’t we all know at least one?
In English, we call them busybodies. Meddlers. Someone who loves to get involved in — interfere with, or even invade — the affairs of others.
Every little thing they seem to have to stick their nose into, don’t they? Oh sure, meddling is often disguised as “helping,” but usually, that help is uninvited and unwelcomed.
Perhaps these busybodies are simply dissatisfied with the amount of drama in their own personal lives, or they are simply discontented with their lives entirely. Maybe they gain a certain level of satisfaction by getting knee-deep into the problems of others.
Or…they love to gossip, and direct involvement in the business of others allows them to get the full scoop. Of course, then they feel compelled to pass the info along — carefully camouflaged as a prayer request. Or worse, under the pretense of asking someone else, “How do you think I should handle this?”
Busybodies tend to volunteer their opinions where they are neither asked for nor needed. Many see them as intrusive, obtrusive, tactless, prying, offensive, and inappropriately inquisitive. But it seems that in the Lord’s eyes, the offense is worse than that.
The Bible’s Strong Words
The Bible has some pretty strong words for busybodies — stronger than most people would think or recall.
We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12).
Paul speaks here of those who are idle and disruptive. And rather than being busy, they are busybodies. The original Greek word Paul used here is periergos.
According to the Bible Study Tools’ lexicon, periergos refers to someone who is busy with trifles, and trivial things and is neglectful of important matters but is especially busy with other folk’s affairs, in other words — a busybody.
Paul also spoke of busybodies in his first letter to Timothy. He speaks to Timothy of younger widows:
Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to(1 Timothy 5:13).
“Who talks nonsense and saying things they ought not to.” Wow.
So, Paul takes it a step further, speaking to what amounts to gossip as the busybody goes from house to house.
But Paul was not the only one. In his first letter, addressed to Christians, “…scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,” Peter spent time addressing suffering.
He counseled his readers that, since Christ suffered in his body, they should arm themselves also “…with the same attitude…” (1 Peter 4:1). Peter went on to say:
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you (1 Peter 4:12-14).
And then he warns:
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler(1 Peter 4:15).
It is notable that Peter actually lists meddling in the same sentence, the same classification, as murderers, thieves or any other kind of criminal. If you suffer — don’t let it be for being a murderer, a thief, or any other kind of evildoer — or for being a busybody. That is a pretty strong statement.
As astounding as it may seem, Peter is quite clear that being a busybody, a meddler, is a sin, every bit as serious as murder or robbery. If you’re like me, you have read that verse dozens of times or more, yet never made that connection.
Perhaps never realized the gravity. Nonetheless, there it is. Interestingly too, this came from Peter, of all people, who, throughout his travels with Jesus, seemed to want to stick his nose into everything.
Helping or Meddling?
Within the church, or even among families, friends, or neighbors, in the workplace, school, or on social media, busybodies can hide their meddling behind a façade of compassion. Often it is difficult to know the difference.
After all compassionate, kindhearted concern is often welcomed — and helpful. Meddling is, well…all too often quite difficult to endure, depending perhaps on the severity of the issue and of the intrusion.
Solomon tells us: “Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own” (Proverbs 26:17).
Ouch. When we realize that most dogs in Solomon’s time were untamed and wildly roamed the streets, to pull one by its ears was not a wise thing to do and invited getting bitten as it is with meddling in affairs that are none of your business.
Paul’s words to both Timothy and the Thessalonians connect meddling quite directly to being idle. Far too idle for one’s own good, it would seem – as well as the good of the one whose business is being invaded.
It is rather safe to say that meddlers often have a great deal of difficulty identifying themselves as such and would never refer to themselves as busybodies.
It is important to note that often it is personal insecurity that may lead one to step in where they are not invited and not welcomed, but busybodies, of course, never think of themselves as insecure or recognize their own insecurity.
Meddling or Sincere Help?
On the other hand, often, a sincere offer to help is interpreted as interference or meddling. Good intentions can, of course, be taken the wrong way.
It is important, therefore, to determine our own motivation, whether our involvement in the affairs of others is meddling or from a genuine desire to help. It can be important to remember, too, we can speak whatever words we want, but the Lord knows our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7).
If we find ourselves far too often entangled in the affairs and the secrets of others, perhaps we should take a step back, take a look in the mirror, and ask ourselves a few questions:
- Is this really any of my business? Was I asked to voice my opinions on the issue in any way?
- Do I have anything to add that will benefit those involved? Is the Lord leading me to interfere?
- Do I truly desire to help out of love, or is my true motivation simply to appear needed, or important, or need to be involved in everything around me?
- How often do I intrude into situations where I have not been specifically invited? If my intent is truly to help, can I be trusted to keep it to myself?
Solomon, as was his way, gave us some wise words for when we are tempted to speak of other’s issues — “asking for prayer” or for “advice.” He said this:
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret (Proverbs 11:13).
Paul, too, offered guidance to the Thessalonians — and to us:
“…to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, (1 Thessalonians 4:11).
Just imagine what that would be like. To mind our own business, work with our hands, and lead a quiet life.
Isn’t life hard enough? Don’t we have enough of our own issues without interjecting ourselves into others where we aren’t invited or needed?
Yeah. I think so too.
For further reading:
How Do We Show Love to Toxic People?
How Should Christians Respond to Gossip?
Why Does the Bible Have to Tell Us to Be Kind to One Another?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Paul Bradbury
