The term "meddles" refers to the act of interfering or involving oneself in matters that do not concern one, often leading to unnecessary conflict or trouble. In the context of the Bible, meddling is generally viewed negatively, as it disrupts peace and order, and can lead to strife and discord among individuals and communities.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 26:17 : "Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own." This proverb vividly illustrates the foolishness and danger of meddling in disputes that do not concern oneself. Just as grabbing a dog by the ears can provoke an aggressive response, so too can interfering in others' conflicts lead to personal harm and escalation of the situation.

2. 1 Peter 4:15 : "Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler." Here, the Apostle Peter lists meddling alongside serious offenses such as murder and theft, indicating the severity with which it is viewed. Meddling is seen as a behavior that can lead to suffering and is contrary to the Christian call to live peaceably and mind one's own affairs.

3. Proverbs 20:3 : "It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel." While not directly using the term "meddles," this verse underscores the wisdom in avoiding unnecessary disputes. Meddling often leads to quarrels, and the wise person is one who seeks to resolve conflicts rather than exacerbate them.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, meddling is contrary to the biblical principles of peace, humility, and respect for others' autonomy. Christians are encouraged to live quietly and mind their own business (1 Thessalonians 4:11), focusing on their own responsibilities and spiritual growth rather than becoming entangled in the affairs of others. Meddling can be seen as a manifestation of pride, as it often involves assuming that one's own perspective or intervention is necessary or superior.

Practical Considerations:

In practical terms, avoiding meddling involves exercising discernment and self-control. Believers are called to offer counsel and support when appropriate, but they must also recognize the boundaries of their involvement in others' lives. Encouraging reconciliation and offering prayerful support are ways to assist without overstepping. The wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly the Proverbs, offers guidance on the importance of discretion and the value of maintaining peace.

Meddling in Church and Community:

Within the church and broader community, meddling can disrupt unity and hinder the mission of the body of Christ. Leaders and members alike are urged to foster an environment of mutual respect and to address conflicts with grace and truth. The New Testament epistles frequently address the need for harmony and the dangers of gossip and unnecessary interference, emphasizing the importance of focusing on one's own spiritual journey and contributing positively to the community.

In summary, the biblical perspective on meddling is clear: it is a behavior to be avoided, as it leads to discord and detracts from the Christian witness of love and peace. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of humility and to engage in relationships with wisdom and care, always seeking to honor God and edify others.244. allotriepiskopos -- one who meddles in things alien to his ...
... one who meddles in things alien to his calling. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: allotriepiskopos Phonetic Spelling: (al-lot-ree-ep-is'-kop-os ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/244.htm - 6k5674b. abar -- to be arrogant, become angry
... become angry NASB Word Usage angry (1), arrogant (1), been full (1), been full of
wrath (1), filled with wrath (2), full of wrath (1), meddles (1), provokes ...
/hebrew/5674b.htm - 5k

The Eleventh Chapter: Acquiring Peace and Zeal for Perfection
... How can a man who meddles in affairs not his own, who seeks strange distractions,
and who is little or seldom inwardly recollected, live long in peace? ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the eleventh chapter acquiring peace.htm

Letter viii. To Demophilus, Therapeutes. About Minding Ones Own ...
... But every one who meddles with other people's business, is outlawed by the Word
of God; and each one shall be in the rank of his own service, and alone the ...
/.../letters of dionysius the areopagite/letter viii to demophilus therapeutes.htm

Letter i. --Temptation to Despair.
... temporal affairs. But the great misfortune is that self-love thrusts itself
everywhere, meddles with everything and spoils all. It ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter i temptation to despair.htm

Hymns of Suffering and Trust.
... Bear me through the swelling current. That is modern taste; but when modern taste
meddles with a stalwart old hymn it is sometimes more nice than wise. ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter v hymns of suffering.htm

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
... For it is essentially a doctrine far beyond the power of man's intelligence to
comprehend. When human reason meddles with it, it becomes perplexed. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twelfth sunday after trinity gospel.htm

The Abrogation of the Saybrook Platform
... We all own that the Pope or Papal throne is the second beast, because he is the
head of the ecclesiastical, and also meddles in civil affairs.... ...
/.../chapter xi the abrogation of.htm

John i. 35-37
... For so he who meddles with fire must needs be injured, so wills the weakness of
our nature; yet nature does not therefore draw us to the fire and to the injury ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xviii john i 35-37.htm

God's People in the Furnace
... The devil is never more devoid of wisdom than when he meddles with God's people,
and tries to run down God's minister. "Run him down!" Sir, you run him up! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/gods people in the furnace.htm

Thoughts Upon Our Call and Election.
... to search for them, than this Parable, which gave our blessed Saviour the occasion
of asserting it; in which it is very observable, that he meddles not at all ...
/.../beveridge/private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon our call and.htm

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
... But this, I say, is a very great block in his way when he meddles with the children;
God has an interest in them-"Hath God cast away his people? ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the work of jesus christ.htm

Meddles (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Meddles (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 26:17 Like one who grabs
a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. ...
/m/meddles.htm - 6k

Grabs (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Grabs (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 26:17 Like one who grabs
a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. (WEB). ...
/g/grabs.htm - 6k

Dog's (3 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 26:17 Like one who grabs a dog's
ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. (WEB). ...
/d/dog's.htm - 7k

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

Meddlers (1 Occurrence)

/m/meddlers.htm - 6k

Meddleth (1 Occurrence)

/m/meddleth.htm - 6k

Quarrel (22 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 26:17 Like one who grabs a dog's ears is
one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. (WEB RSV NIV). ...
/q/quarrel.htm - 15k

Passes (74 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV). Proverbs 26:17 Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who
passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. (WEB NAS). ...
/p/passes.htm - 28k

Dog (19 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 26:17 Like one who grabs
a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. ...
/d/dog.htm - 20k

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