OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to Articles Next 

THE SIN OF BEING A BUSYBODY

Victor M. Eskew

 

            Have you ever come in contact with a busybody?  This individual has to have his hands in the affairs of everyone else’s business.  He makes suggestions constantly.  He is forever a critic of the works of others.  If he has a chance, he will take over another’s responsibilities.  This person often believes his way is the only way.  If not the only way, he definitely believes his way is the best way.  The busybody doesn’t just get involved in the affairs of one person.  He gets into everybody’s business.  The individual becomes a pest.  In time, very few people want to work with him.  Too, he causes a lot of individuals to develop hard feelings toward him because he just cannot let them do their work.  He feels like he must become their supervisor. 

            Busybodies have been around for a long time.  There are several New Testament verses that mention these individuals.  A busybody is never mentioned favorably in the Biblical text.  In I Peter 4:15, Peter lists the busybody along side murderers, thieves, and evil doers.  Here are his words:  “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.”  The definitions of the word “busybody” are revealing:  “overseeing other’s affairs, that is, a meddler, an inspector of another, meddling with other people’s concerns, one who usurps authority in matters not in his own province.”  The busybody is a person who does not understand boundaries.  He sticks his nose into places where it does not belong.  He attempts to take over things that are not his responsibility.  He tries to tell others what to do when he is not the one in charge.  As one definition says, he “usurps authority in matters not in his own province.”

            In 2 Thessalonians 3:11, Paul exposes some who had become busybodies.  There were those in Thessalonica who thought the Second Coming of Christ was imminent.  For that cause, they ceased working.  With extra time on their hands, they became busybodies.  Paul says they were walking disorderly.  “For we hear that here are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.”  The Greek word for “busybodies” in this text is different than the one in Peter’s epistle.  Strong says the word means “to work all around, that is, bustle about (meddle).”  Another definition of the word is:  “used apparently of a person officiously inquisitive about other’s affairs.”  The word “officiously” hits the nail on the head regarding a busybody.  It means “one who is objectionably aggressive in offering his unrequested and unwanted services, help, or advice.”  Remember, Paul says that this person is walking disorderly.  Walking disorderly is a military term.  It means “to march out of step.”  The busybody is not in harmony with God’s Word.  He creates disunity and disharmony among the ranks of the disciples. 

            There are several examples of busybodies in the Bible.  In 2 Kings 5, the servant of Elisha sticks his nose into something that was none of his business.  His master had healed a leper by the name of Naaman.  Naaman offered to pay the prophet, but Elisha refused the payment (2 Kings 5:16).  When Gehazi heard about this, he got involved.  “But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought:  but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him” (2 Kings 5:20).  What Elisha received or did not receive was none of Gehazi’s business.  He should have left this alone.  Instead, he lied to Naaman and took two talents of silver and two changes of garments from him (2 Kings 5:23).  Gehazi was exposed by Elisha quickly after his return to the city.  Because of his meddling, Gehazi and his seed were smitten with leprosy.  Elisha said to him:  “…Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?  The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed forever.  And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow” (2 Kings 5:26b-27).  This writer wonders if Gehazi ever regretted getting involved in something that was none of his business?

            After the resurrection, Jesus had a lengthy discussion with Peter.  In the course of that conversation, Jesus noted how Peter would die.  “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest:  but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.  This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God…” (John 21:18-19a).  Jesus’ words intrigued Peter.  “Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord which is he that betrayeth thee?  Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?” (John 21:20-21).  Jesus answer is a mild rebuke to Peter’s meddling into the matters of another.  “Jesus said unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?  Follow thou me” (John 21:22).  “What is that to thee?”  These are the words that every busybody needs to here from Jesus.  Jesus was telling Peter that he was stepping out of his boundaries.  John’s fate should not matter to Peter at all.  How would that knowledge have benefited Peter at all? 

            In the first century, men often died at an early age.  Disease, war, and accidents often took their lives.  Thus, many women became widows at an early age.  When Paul discussed how the church was to respond to widows, he gave these instructions about the younger widows.  “But the younger widows refuse:  for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.  And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not” (1 Tim. 5:11-13).  Paul did not want the young women to become busybodies.  Thus, he exhorts them to marry.  “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully” (1 Tim. 5:14).  Caring for a husband, children, and a home would fill the younger woman’s time.  This would help prevent her from being a busybody in the affairs of others. 

            When a person becomes a busybody, he involves himself in a sinful action.  He is crossing boundaries.  He is usurping authority.  He is creating unrest.  He is displaying pride and haughtiness.  He is meddling where he does not belong.  Paul’s words found in 1 Thessalonians, need to be learned and practiced by all, especially the busybody.  “And that ye study to be quite, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you” (1 Thess. 4:11, emp. mine, vme).