1 Timothy 5:13

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

ἅμα withal G260
ἅμα withal
Strong's: G260
Word #: 1 of 21
properly, at the "same" time, but freely used as a preposition or adverb denoting close association
δὲ And G1161
δὲ And
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 21
but, and, etc
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 3 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀργαὶ idle G692
ἀργαὶ idle
Strong's: G692
Word #: 4 of 21
inactive, i.e., unemployed; (by implication) lazy, useless
μανθάνουσιν they learn G3129
μανθάνουσιν they learn
Strong's: G3129
Word #: 5 of 21
to learn (in any way)
περιερχόμεναι wandering about G4022
περιερχόμεναι wandering about
Strong's: G4022
Word #: 6 of 21
to come all around, i.e., stroll, vacillate, veer
τὰ things which G3588
τὰ things which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίας from house to house G3614
οἰκίας from house to house
Strong's: G3614
Word #: 8 of 21
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
οὐ not G3756
οὐ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 9 of 21
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
μόνον only G3440
μόνον only
Strong's: G3440
Word #: 10 of 21
merely
δὲ And G1161
δὲ And
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 11 of 21
but, and, etc
ἀργαὶ idle G692
ἀργαὶ idle
Strong's: G692
Word #: 12 of 21
inactive, i.e., unemployed; (by implication) lazy, useless
ἀλλὰ but G235
ἀλλὰ but
Strong's: G235
Word #: 13 of 21
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 14 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
φλύαροι tattlers G5397
φλύαροι tattlers
Strong's: G5397
Word #: 15 of 21
a garrulous person, i.e., prater
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 16 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
περίεργοι busybodies G4021
περίεργοι busybodies
Strong's: G4021
Word #: 17 of 21
working all around, i.e., officious (meddlesome, neuter plural magic)
λαλοῦσαι speaking G2980
λαλοῦσαι speaking
Strong's: G2980
Word #: 18 of 21
to talk, i.e., utter words
τὰ things which G3588
τὰ things which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ not G3361
μὴ not
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 20 of 21
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
δέοντα they ought G1163
δέοντα they ought
Strong's: G1163
Word #: 21 of 21
also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)

Analysis & Commentary

And withal they learn to be idle (ἅμα δὲ καὶ ἀργαὶ μανθάνουσιν, hama de kai argai manthanousin)—'at the same time they learn to be lazy.' Argos means idle, lazy, inactive. Young widows on church support with no household to manage can develop bad habits. Wandering about from house to house (περιερχόμεναι τὰς οἰκίας, perierchomenai tas oikias)—'going around from house to house.'

And not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies (οὐ μόνον δὲ ἀργαὶ ἀλλὰ καὶ φλύαροι καὶ περίεργοι, ou monon de argai alla kai phlyaroi kai periergoi)—'not only idle but also gossips and busybodies.' Phlyaros means gossip, babbler. Periergos means busybody, meddler, one who pries into others' affairs. Speaking things which they ought not (λαλοῦσαι τὰ μὴ δέοντα, lalousai ta mē deonta)—'saying things they should not.'

Idleness breeds mischief. Young widows with time and no responsibility can fall into gossip, meddling, and inappropriate speech—destructive to church unity and their own character. Paul's solution: remarriage and household management (5:14).

Historical Context

In ancient households, women's work was constant—spinning, weaving, cooking, childcare, managing servants. Widows on church support but without family responsibilities had unusual leisure. Without purposeful activity, some fell into the sins of gossip and meddling that damage community. Paul's solution is renewed purpose through marriage and family.

Questions for Reflection

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