Lexical Summary periergos: Busybody, meddlesome, curious about trifles Original Word: περίεργος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance meddlesome, belonging to magicFrom peri and ergon; working all around, i.e. Officious (meddlesome, neuter plural magic) -- busybody, curious arts. see GREEK peri see GREEK ergon HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4021 períergos (an adjective, derived from 4012 /perí, "all around" and 2041 /érgon, "work") – properly, worked all-around, which describes "over-doing" – i.e. spending excessive time (effort) where it doesn't belong (or should not happen). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peri and ergon Definition overly careful, curious, meddling, subst. a busybody NASB Translation busybodies (1), magic (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4021: περίεργοςπερίεργος, περιεργον (περί and ἔργον; see περί, III. 2), busy about trifles and neglectful of important matters, especially busy about other folks' affairs, a busybody: 1 Timothy 5:13 (often so in secular authors from Xenophon, mem. 1, 3, 1; περιεργων καί πολυπράγμων, Epictetus diss. 3, 1, 21); of things: τά περίεργα, impertinent and superfluous, of magic (A. V., curious) arts, Acts 19:19 (so περίεργος practising magic, Aristaen., epistles 2, 18, 2 (cf. Plutarch, Alex. 2, 5)); cf. Kypke, Observations, and Kuinoel, commentary at the passage. Topical Lexicon Occurrences in Scripture Acts 19:19 and 1 Timothy 5:13 contain the only New Testament uses of the term. In Acts it is plural and functions as a substantive, describing the Ephesian “books of magic arts.” In 1 Timothy it characterizes certain younger widows who had become “busybodies.” Acts 19:19 – Renouncing Occult Curiosity “And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.” Luke records this event to illustrate the radical repentance that accompanied the gospel’s advance in Ephesus. The costly scrolls represented a culture fascinated with secret knowledge and manipulative power. Their public destruction signaled a decisive break with spiritual darkness and proclaimed Christ’s lordship over every hidden practice. 1 Timothy 5:13 – Warning Against Idle Meddling “And besides, they learn to be idle, wandering from house to house. And not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, speaking about things they should not.” Paul counsels Timothy to address a different form of misplaced curiosity. Here the term depicts restless interference in other people’s affairs—speech that tears down rather than builds up. The apostle therefore urges younger widows to redirect their energy toward family responsibilities and good works (1 Timothy 5:14). Historical Context Ephesus, the setting for both passages, was famous for its devotion to Artemis and for widespread magical practices. Inscribed amulets and incantation texts—commonly called the “Ephesian letters”—promised protection and prosperity. New believers, formerly immersed in such rites, demonstrated the transformative power of the gospel by surrendering these materials. A generation later, the Ephesian church still battled the same spirit of unhealthy curiosity, now expressed through unproductive social entanglements rather than overt sorcery. Spiritual Themes 1. Curiosity Gone Wrong: Whether through occult experimentation or intrusive gossip, sinful curiosity diverts the heart from sincere devotion to Christ. Pastoral Application • Spiritual Warfare: Modern disciples must reject every form of occultism—astrology, witchcraft, fortune-telling—recognizing that behind “curiosity” lies spiritual bondage (Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Ephesians 6:12). Christological and Ecclesiological Connections Jesus Christ is the true source of wisdom (Colossians 2:3) and the head of the body, the church. The temptation to seek hidden knowledge or to pry into others’ affairs springs from dissatisfaction with Him. By contrast, the church flourishes when every member “minds their own business” in the best sense—fulfilling personal callings, speaking grace, and serving in love (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; Ephesians 4:15-16). Summary The two New Testament appearances of Strong’s Greek 4021 frame a single admonition: renounce unhealthy curiosity—whether dramatic (magic) or mundane (gossip)—and pursue a life of consecrated, fruitful devotion to Christ. Forms and Transliterations περιεργα περίεργα περιεργοι περίεργοι perierga períerga periergoi períergoiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 19:19 Adj-ANPGRK: τῶν τὰ περίεργα πραξάντων συνενέγκαντες NAS: who practiced magic brought KJV: which used curious arts brought INT: of those who the magic arts had practiced having brought 1 Timothy 5:13 Adj-NMP Strong's Greek 4021 |
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