A "busy-body" is a term used in the Bible to describe a person who meddles in the affairs of others, often with negative connotations. This behavior is generally characterized by unnecessary interference, gossip, and a lack of focus on one's own responsibilities. The concept of a busy-body is addressed in several passages of Scripture, highlighting the spiritual and social implications of such behavior.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 : "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, just as we instructed you." This verse encourages believers to focus on their own responsibilities and to avoid meddling in the affairs of others. The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of leading a quiet and productive life, which stands in contrast to the behavior of a busy-body.

2. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 : "Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies." Here, Paul addresses the issue of idleness and meddling within the Thessalonian church. He warns against leading an undisciplined life that results in being a busy-body, highlighting the lack of productivity and the potential for disruption within the community.

3. 1 Timothy 5:13 : "At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house, and not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they should not." In this passage, Paul warns Timothy about certain young widows who, instead of focusing on constructive activities, become idle and engage in gossip and meddling. This behavior is seen as detrimental to their spiritual growth and the well-being of the church.

4. 1 Peter 4:15 : "But if you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler." The apostle Peter includes being a meddler, or busy-body, alongside more serious offenses, indicating the severity with which such behavior is viewed. This comparison underscores the potential harm that meddling can cause within the Christian community.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the behavior of a busy-body is contrary to the teachings of Scripture, which advocate for personal responsibility, humility, and love for one's neighbor. Meddling in the affairs of others often stems from pride, a desire for control, or a lack of contentment with one's own life. Such behavior can lead to division, strife, and a breakdown of community harmony.

The Bible encourages believers to focus on their own spiritual growth and to serve others in love, rather than engaging in gossip or unnecessary interference. By doing so, Christians can foster a community that reflects the love and peace of Christ, avoiding the pitfalls associated with being a busy-body.4021. periergos -- overly careful, curious, meddling, subst. a ...
... Spelling: (per-ee'-er-gos) Short Definition: a busybody, curious, magical Definition:
of persons: over-careful; curious, meddling, a busy-body; of things: over ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4021.htm - 7k

4020. periergazomai -- to waste one's labor about (a thing)
... thing). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: periergazomai Phonetic Spelling:
(per-ee-er-gad'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I overdo, am a busybody Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4020.htm - 7k

244. allotriepiskopos -- one who meddles in things alien to his ...
... Usage troublesome meddler (1). busybody in others' matters. From allotrios
and episkopos; overseeing others' affairs, ie A meddler ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/244.htm - 6k

The Sunday Christian.
... One dull day a man named Gregory, a sort of busybody in the neighbourhood, came
into the store of Mr. Lane and said to him""What do you think of our friend ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/the sunday christian.htm

The Other Observances of the Jews.
... are sufficiently convinced that the Christians properly abstain from the vanity
and error common [to both Jews and Gentiles], and from the busy-body spirit and ...
/.../the epistle of mathetes to diognetus/chapter iv the other observances of.htm

The Testament of Issachar Concerning Simplicity.
... I walked in simplicity. And I was not a busybody in my doings, nor malicious
and slanderous against my neighbour. I never spoke ...
/.../v the testament of issachar concerning.htm

Who, Now, Should Know Better the Marrow of the Scriptures than the ...
... ye; because glory and the Spirit of God rest upon you: if only none of you suffer
as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or as a busybody in other ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter xii who now should.htm

Letter cxiv. To Cyriacus, at Tarsus.
... In attempting myself to effect this, I cannot fairly be blamed as a busybody, for
nothing is so characteristically Christian as the being a peacemaker, and for ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cxiv to cyriacus at.htm

December 11 Morning
... foolish men. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or
as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/december 11 morning.htm

December 24 Evening
... glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, . . .
or as a busybody in other men's matters. Let not . . . ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/december 24 evening.htm

March 14 Morning
... But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as
a busybody in other men's matters."Be blameless and harmless, the sons of ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/march 14 morning.htm

September 1 Evening
... If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye: but let none of you suffer
as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/september 1 evening.htm

John iii. 17
... "He that believeth on the Son, is not judged." He that "believeth," not he
that is over-curious: he that "believeth," not the busybody. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxviii john iii 17.htm

Busybody (3 Occurrences)
... person. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BUSYBODY. biz'-i ... 13). Henry E. Dosker.
Multi-Version Concordance Busybody (3 Occurrences). 1 Peter ...
/b/busybody.htm - 8k

Busy-body (1 Occurrence)
Busy-body. Busybody, Busy-body. But . Multi-Version Concordance Busy-body
(1 Occurrence). ... (WBS). Busybody, Busy-body. But . Reference Bible.
/b/busy-body.htm - 6k

But (42052 Occurrences)

/b/but.htm - 9k

Revealer (4 Occurrences)
... Revealer (4 Occurrences). Proverbs 20:19 A revealer of secret counsels is the busybody,
And for a deceiver 'with' his lips make not thyself surety. (YLT). ...
/r/revealer.htm - 7k

Revealing (7 Occurrences)
... See RSV). Proverbs 11:13 A busybody is revealing secret counsel, And the
faithful of spirit is covering the matter. (YLT). Proverbs ...
/r/revealing.htm - 8k

Evildoer (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer,
or as a busybody in other men's matters. (KJV DBY NAS). ...
/e/evildoer.htm - 9k

Deceiver (9 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV). Proverbs 20:19 A revealer of secret counsels
is the busybody, And for a deceiver 'with' his lips make not thyself surety. ...
/d/deceiver.htm - 9k

Martha (12 Occurrences)
... The one was a well-meaning, bustling busybody; the other was a reverent disciple,
a wistful listener." Paul had such a picture as that of Martha in his mind ...
/m/martha.htm - 16k

Meddler (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who meddles; one who interferes or busies himself
with things in which he has no concern; an officious person; a busybody. ...
/m/meddler.htm - 6k

Busy-bodies (2 Occurrences)
Busy-bodies. Busybodies, Busy-bodies. Busybody . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS). Busybodies, Busy-bodies. Busybody . Reference Bible.
/b/busy-bodies.htm - 7k

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