Dictionaries :: Busybody

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Busybody:

biz'-i-bod-i (periergos, allotrioepiskopos): The word is found twice in Paulinic literature.: 1Ti 5:13, "not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies," and 2Th 3:11, "work not at all, but are busybodies." It is also found in 1Pe 4:15 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "meddler") "or as a busybody in other men's matters." If these passages be coupled with such others as Jas 3:2-10; 4:11; Eph 4:29,31; Tit 3:2, it becomes evident that sins against the eighth commandment were as common in the apostolic church as they are today. To this day backbiting is a common trait of oriental peoples. And it is this sin which is so repeatedly warned against by the apostles, as in direct conflict with the ethics of Christianity, and in violation of that spirit of brotherly love and mutual trust which Christ has enjoined on His followers, and which is the very marrow of the outward revelation of the Christian faith (1Co 13).

Written by Henry E. Dosker

Nave's Topical Bible

Busybody: General Scriptures Concerning

Lev 19:16; Pro 20:3; 2Th 3:11, 12; 1Ti 5:13; 1Pe 4:15

Busybody: References Concerning

See TALEBEARER; SPEAKING, EVIL.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

A-1VerbStrong's Number: g4020Greek: periergazomai

Busybody:

lit., "to be working round about, instead of at one's own business" (peri, "around," ergon, "work"), signifies to take more pains than enough about a thing, to waste one's labor, to be meddling with, or bustling about, other people's matters. This is found in 2Th 3:11, where, following the verb ergazomai, "to work," it forms a paronomasia. This may be produced in a free rendering: "some who are not busied in their own business, but are overbusied in that of others."

B-1AdjectiveStrong's Number: g4021Greek: periergos

Busybody:

akin to A, denoting "taken up with trifles," is used of magic arts in Act 19:19; "busybodies" in 1Ti 5:13, i.e., meddling in other persons' affairs.
See CURIOUS.

C-1NounStrong's Number: g244Greek: allotrioepiskopos

Busybody:

from allotrios, "belonging to another person," and episkopos, "an overseer," translated "busybody" in the AV of 1Pe 4:15, "meddler," RV, was a legal term for a charge brought against Christians as being hostile to civilized society, their purpose being to make Gentiles conform to Christian standards. Some explain it as a pryer into others' affairs.
See MEDDLER.