In the context of the Bible, "troublers" refers to individuals or groups who cause distress, disturbance, or conflict within the community of God's people. The term is often used to describe those who lead others away from God's commandments, create division, or bring about God's judgment through their actions.

Old Testament References

One of the earliest mentions of a "troubler" is found in the account of Achan in the Book of Joshua. After the Israelites' victory at Jericho, Achan disobeyed God's command by taking some of the devoted things, leading to Israel's defeat at Ai. Joshua confronted Achan, saying, "Why have you brought this trouble upon us? The LORD will bring trouble upon you this day" (Joshua 7:25). Achan's sin brought trouble not only upon himself but also upon the entire nation, illustrating how individual disobedience can have communal consequences.

Another notable example is King Ahab, who is described as a troubler of Israel. When Elijah confronted Ahab, the king accused Elijah of being the "troubler of Israel." Elijah responded, "I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, because you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals" (1 Kings 18:18). Here, the true source of trouble is identified as the abandonment of God's commandments and the pursuit of idolatry.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, troublers are often associated with false teachers and those who distort the gospel. The Apostle Paul addresses this issue in his letter to the Galatians, where he expresses concern over those who are unsettling the believers with a different gospel. He writes, "I am astonished how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ" (Galatians 1:6-7). Paul warns against those who pervert the truth and lead others astray, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the true gospel.

In Acts 15, during the Jerusalem Council, the early church addresses the issue of certain individuals who were troubling the Gentile believers by insisting they must follow the Mosaic law to be saved. The apostles and elders, guided by the Holy Spirit, conclude that such requirements are unnecessary, stating, "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements" (Acts 15:28). This decision highlights the church's effort to prevent unnecessary trouble and maintain unity among believers.

Characteristics and Consequences

Troublers in the biblical narrative are often characterized by their rebellion against God's commands, their promotion of false teachings, and their role in causing division among God's people. The consequences of their actions can be severe, leading to divine judgment, communal suffering, and spiritual confusion.

The Bible consistently calls for vigilance against such individuals, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith and to discern truth from falsehood. The presence of troublers serves as a reminder of the ongoing spiritual battle and the need for adherence to God's word and guidance.

The Note of Accusation.
... Troublers of Israel they were, exposing, denouncing, declaring judgment against
evil doers. Such was their mission. Troublers of Israel, they were sent to be. ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter i the note of.htm

Polycarp is Betrayed by a Servant.
... Judas himself. Footnotes: [429] It was the duty of the Irenarch to apprehend
all seditious troublers of the public peace. [430] Some ...
/.../the martyrdom of the holy polycarp/chapter vi polycarp is betrayed by.htm

With Freedom is Thy Struggle, O Evil One: it Can Cast on Thee a ...
... defeated."23. These things the troublers discoursed, and gathered and came:
Thy day, Lord, will gather them, into Gehenna."24. Through ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lvi with freedom is.htm

The Epistles to the Corinthians.
... [1137] It was distracted by Judaizers and other troublers, who abused the names
of Cephas, James, Apollos, and even of Christ (as extra-Christians), for ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 90 the epistles to.htm

Letter ccxi. (AD 423. )
... As for the troublers of your peace, if such there be still among you, they shall,
unless they amend their conduct, bear their judgment, whoever they be. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter ccxi a d 423.htm

Non-Resistants.
... intent to commit rapine and destroy life, may not be resisted by the people or
magistracy, then ought no resistance to be offered to domestic troublers of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/non-resistants.htm

The Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force Has Been Professed ...
... to commit rapine and destroy life may not be resisted by the people or the magistracy,
then ought no resistance to be offered to domestic troublers of the ...
/.../tolstoy/the kingdom of god is within you/chapter i the doctrine of.htm

"For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me ...
... they not hence," saith James, iv.1, "even of your lusts that war in your members?"
It is these that trouble the world, and these are the troublers of Israel's ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon viii for the law.htm

Thessalonica and Berea
... They were the troublers of the city, not Paul, peacefully preaching in the
synagogue. The wolf scolds the lamb for fouling the river. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/thessalonica and berea.htm

The Great Misery of those who Lose the Saints' Rest.
... You took them, as Ahab did Elijah, for the "troublers of the land;" and, as the
apostles were taken, for "men that turned the world upside down." If any thing ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter v the great misery.htm

Troublers (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Troublers (3 Occurrences). Isaiah 11:13 And the
envy of Ephraim shall depart, and the troublers of Judah ...
/t/troublers.htm - 7k

Troubler (5 Occurrences)

/t/troubler.htm - 8k

Creditors (4 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 2:7 Will not your creditors suddenly be moved against you, and your troublers
get up from their sleep, and you will be to them like goods taken in war ...
/c/creditors.htm - 7k

Rewards (26 Occurrences)
... Amos 5:12 For I have seen how your evil-doing is increased and how strong are your
sins, you troublers of the upright, who take rewards and do wrong to the ...
/r/rewards.htm - 14k

Troubles (94 Occurrences)

/t/troubles.htm - 33k

Public (99 Occurrences)
... Amos 5:12 For I have seen how your evil-doing is increased and how strong are your
sins, you troublers of the upright, who take rewards and do wrong to the ...
/p/public.htm - 37k

Evil-doing (106 Occurrences)
... Amos 5:12 For I have seen how your evil-doing is increased and how strong are your
sins, you troublers of the upright, who take rewards and do wrong to the ...
/e/evil-doing.htm - 38k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus