1 Timothy 5:13

1 Timothy 5:13 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (NIV)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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.
• New Living Translation (NLT)And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t.

Context of 1 Timothy 5:13

11But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15For some have already strayed after Satan.

1 Timothy 5:13 word by word

ἅμα δὲ καὶ ἀργαὶ μανθάνουσιν περιερχόμεναι τὰς οἰκίας. οὐ μόνον δὲ ἀργαί, ἀλλὰ καὶ φλύαροι καὶ περίεργοι, λαλοῦσαι τὰ μὴ δέοντα.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·καίkai · andG2532
• Andδέde · thenG1161
• withalἅμαhama · togetherG260
• they learnμανθάνωmanthanō · to learnG3129
• idleἀργόςargos · idleG692
• wandering aboutπεριέρχομαιperierchomai · to go aroundG4022
• from house to houseὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• from house to houseοἰκίαoikia · homeG3614
• notοὐou · noG3756
• onlyμόνονmonon · onlyG3440
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• tattlersφλύαροςphluaros · gossipyG5397
• busybodiesπερίεργοςperiergos · meddlesome/magicG4021
• speakingλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• they oughtδεῖdei · be necessaryG1163
• notμήmē · notG3361

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 5:13

• Proverbs 31:27She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
• Leviticus 19:16You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.
• Proverbs 20:19Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
• Luke 10:7And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.
• Acts 20:20how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,
• 2 Thessalonians 3:11For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
• 1 Peter 4:15But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
• Acts 20:30and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
• James 3:10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 5:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13And 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13And 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-16Verses 9-16 Every one brought into any office in the church, should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would find mercy when they are in distress, must show mercy when they are in prosperity; and those who show most readiness for every good work, are most likely to be faithful in whatever is trusted to them. Those who are idle, very seldom are only idle, they make…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13Those 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).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. 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 (2Ti 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 3Jo 10, translated "prating."…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Timothy 5:13

• Busybody
• Commandments
• Idleness
• Minister, Christian
• Slander
• Talebearer
• Women

In the dictionaries

• Beforehand
• Deny
• Guide
• Marry
• Reproachfully
• Requite
• Reward
• Widows
• Busybody
• Going; Goings

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings