Lexical Summary allotriepiskopos: Meddler, busybody Original Word: ἀλλοτριεπίσκοπος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance busybody in others' matters. From allotrios and episkopos; overseeing others' affairs, i.e. A meddler (specially, in Gentile customs) -- busybody in other men's matters. see GREEK allotrios see GREEK episkopos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom allotrios and episkopos Definition one who meddles in things alien to his calling NASB Translation troublesome meddler (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 244: ἀλλοτριοεπίσκοποςἀλλοτριοεπίσκοπος (L T Tr WH ἀλλοτριεπ.), , ὁ (ἀλλότριος and ἐπίσκοπος), "one who takes the supervision of affairs pertaining to others and in no wise to himself (a meddler in other men's matters)": 1 Peter 4:15 (the writer seems to refer to those who, with holy but intemperate zeal, meddle with the affairs of the Gentiles — whether public or private, civil or sacred — in order to make them conform to the Christian standard). (Hilgenfeld (cf. Einl. ins N. T., p. 630) would make it equivalent to the Latindelator.) The word is found again only in Dionysius, Areop. ep. 8, p. 783 (of one who intrudes into another's office), and (German of Const. ep. 2 ad Cypr. c. 9, in) Coteler. Eccl. Graec. Mon. 2:481 b.; (cf. Winer's Grammar, 25, 99 (94)). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek number 244 designates a compound word that appears only once in the New Testament, in 1 Peter 4:15. The term pictures an individual who presumes oversight of matters that belong to someone else—a spiritual busybody. By grouping this behavior with murderers, thieves, and evildoers, Peter exposes its gravity and warns believers not to suffer for such misconduct. Canonical Context 1 Peter addresses scattered believers facing hostility for their confession of Christ. Peter urges them to suffer “as a Christian” (1 Peter 4:16), never for wrongdoing. Into the list of obvious criminal acts he inserts “meddler” (1 Peter 4:15): “Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer or meddler.” The striking juxtaposition heightens the seriousness of intruding into affairs outside one’s God-given sphere. Peter thus safeguards the church’s testimony amid persecution: if hardships come, let them come for righteousness, not for self-inflicted disorder. Theological Significance Scripture consistently links meddling with pride and a lack of trust in God’s providence. To oversee what is “another’s” usurps divine prerogatives, for ultimately “the LORD reigns” (Psalms 93:1). By forbidding such interference, the Spirit cultivates humility, personal responsibility, and peaceful witness. The term also guards the biblical office of ἐπίσκοπος (“overseer”) from distortion; true oversight is delegated by Christ and recognized by the body, never self-appointed or imposed upon unwilling parties. Pastoral and Ethical Implications 1. Personal Boundaries: Believers must “mind [their] own affairs” (1 Thessalonians 4:11) and resist curiosity that leads to gossip or control. Contrast with Legitimate Oversight Scripture endorses godly supervision within defined callings—parents (Ephesians 6:4), elders (1 Peter 5:2), magistrates (Romans 13:1–4). The meddler, however, claims jurisdiction without mandate. Paul rebukes such disorder in 2 Thessalonians 3:11: “They are not busy; they are busybodies.” Genuine authority serves; counterfeit authority interferes. Historical and Cultural Background In the Greco-Roman world the polis prized social order. Meddling in other households or civic matters invited legal penalties and public shame. Peter’s readers, already viewed with suspicion, needed to avoid behavior easily construed as subversive. The apostle thus echoes a common cultural value yet roots it in holiness rather than mere civic peace. Applications for the Church Today • Leadership: Elders must beware of extending their reach beyond covenantal bounds, lest shepherding become surveillance. Related Scriptural Themes Proverbs 17:14; Proverbs 20:3; 1 Timothy 5:13; James 3:16—all underscore the destructive ripple of meddling. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit includes “self-control” (Galatians 5:23), which protects both unity and reputation. Summary Strong’s 244 warns believers against assuming oversight of matters God has entrusted to others. Though occurring only once, the term encapsulates a timeless principle: suffer only for Christ, never for intrusive self-importance. By honoring proper boundaries, the church mirrors her Lord, who “entrusts Himself to Him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). Forms and Transliterations αλλοτριεπισκοπος ἀλλοτριεπίσκοπος αλλοτριοεπίσκοπος allotriepiskopos allotriepískoposLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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