1 Timothy 5:13

Translations

Modern

At 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.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And at the same time also they learn to be idle, going around the houses, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, speaking things not being proper.

Latin

…simul autem et otiosæ discunt circuire domos: non solum otiosæ, sed et verbosæ, et curiosæ, loquentes quæ non oportet.

Original

Greek

English

At 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.

Notes

1 Timothy 5:13

Those fully supported by the church rarely dedicate their lives to a true commitment (see 2:9–10; 5:10). Abusing the church’s support harms both them and the gospel (good news) (see 5:14).
discussing things they should not mention: This suggests involvement in false teachings (5:15; see 2 Thessalonians 3:11–13; Titus 1:11).

1 Timothy 5:11–15

Younger widows who could still have children needed a different approach. Paul worried that false teachers were leading them into error.

1 Timothy 5:3–16

A widow without wealth or family was alone in a world that did not support her. The Christian community was expected to care for such widows among its members (see Deuteronomy 10:17–19; Isaiah 1:17; compare Acts 6:1–6; James 1:27). Some suggest this passage implies a religious order of widows in the first-century AD church at Ephesus. However, there is no obvious evidence of such an order, only of a ministry to help community members without financial means.

1 Timothy 5:1–6:2

Proper behavior in God's spiritual household involves everyone, including:

the old and young (5:1–2),
widows (5:3–16),
old people (5:17–25), and
slaves (6:1–2a).

Showing respect within the household goes beyond social boundaries.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Concern for the Poor Social Justice

Related verses

Proverbs 20:19
He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
2 Thessalonians 3:6–11
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 from us.
Proverbs 31:27
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
James 3:10
Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
1 Peter 4:15
Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler.
Acts 20:20
I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house,
Luke 10:7
Stay 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.
Leviticus 19:16
You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD.
Acts 20:30
Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.
Titus 1:11
…who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not.
3 John 1:10
So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church.

1 Timothy 5:13

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