Volume 7
September 18, 2016
Number 19
Often times before a profitable discussion can take place, time must be spent identifying and properly defining the terms that will be used in the discussion. When it comes to understanding and communicating about the issue of gossip, we will find that taking a little time to define terms will indeed be very advantageous in facilitating our discussion.
The word “gossip” can be used as both a noun and a verb. The noun form can mean “idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal affairs of others” (Webster). It can also be used to describe “a person, especially a woman, given to tattling (i.e. the letting out of secrets) or idle talk” (Webster). As a verb it means “to talk idly, especially about the affairs of others; go about tattling” (Webster). These definitions help us to begin to see what it is we are talking about, and subsequently try to avoid as God’s people. But as is often the case, merely looking up the English definition of a word does not give us a full picture or appreciation of that particular concept as it is presented in the Word of God.
Throughout the New Testament we run into several words that are either translated as “gossip” or are very closely related to this word. We will attempt to examine these various words in an effort to properly define them, which will in turn, help us to better understand what the Bible has to say about what constitutes and what does not constitute “gossip”.
“And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinances of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. “
– Romans 1:28-32
“For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.”
2 Cor. 12:20-21
The word “gossips” in Romans 1:29 translates the Greek noun PSITHURISTĒS, which means “a whisperer, secret slanderer, detractor” (Thayer). The word translated in 2 Corinthians 12:20 as “gossip” is not the exact same word as that found in the Roman’s passage, though it is its synonym. It is the Greek noun PSITHURISMOS, which means “a whisperer, i.e. secret slanderer” (Thayer). As is becoming more and more the case, we find it necessary to define some of these words that are used in the definitions of our word in question.
The first word in our definition that we might seek to clarify is “slanderer”. What does that mean? “Slander”, according to Webster, is “malicious, false and defamatory statements or reports.” “To slander” is “to spread such statements.” A “slanderer” therefore is the individual who spreads such reports. And what is a “detractor” anyways? Webster defines it as “one who draws away or diverts, distracts; one who takes away a part, as from quality, value or reputation.”
From these two examples, we are able to begin to formulate our own definition. Putting it into our vernacular, we might say, “To gossip is to talk behind someone’s back, especially to talk about someone in a negative way.” And notice also that this behavior is not merely negative in nature, but sinful, and therefore must be avoided by the child of God. In both passages “gossip” is listed amongst other sinful behaviors, all of which are worthy of God’s punishment.
“At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.”
1 Tim. 5:13
In this passage we find yet another word translated as “gossip”. This time it is the Greek word FLAUROS, which is actually an adjective and is used “of persons uttering or doing silly things, garrulous, babbling” and “of things, foolish, trifling, vain” (Thayer). Again, it becomes necessary to define the words of our definition. First, “garrulous” is an adjective that means “excessively talkative in a rambling, roundabout manner, especially about trivial matters” (Webster). Second, “trifle” functioning as a noun means “a matter, affair, or circumstance of trivial importance or significance” (Webster). When it functions as a verb it means “to deal lightly or without due seriousness or respect” or “to act or talk in an idle or frivolous way” (Webster). We might say something like: “one who talks too much about insignificant, inconsequential and unproductive matters” or “one who flippantly repeats delicate and serious matters without proper consideration.”
“At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.”
1 Tim. 5:13
“For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.”
2 Thess. 3:11
“Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler…”
1 Peter 4:15
We also see some words in the New Testament that are related to the idea of “gossip”. In 1 Timothy 5:13, “gossip” is used in conjunction with “busybodies”, both terms being used to describe the potentially negative consequence of a young widow not remarrying. Here, in this text, “busybody” is a translation of the Greek adjective PERIERGOS, which means “busy about trifles and neglectful of important matters; especially busy about other folk’s affairs, a busybody; of things: impertinent and superfluous” (Thayer). We see the verb form of this word (PERI-ERGADZOMAI) in 2 Thessalonians 3:11. There it is translated by the phrase, “acting like busybodies;” and means “to bustle about uselessly, to busy one’s self about trifling, needless, useless matters, used apparently of a person officiously inquisitive about other’s affairs” (Thayer).
“Officiously” is an adjective which means “objectionably forward in offering one’s unrequested and unwanted services, help, advice; meddlesome” (Webster). Taking this meaning into consideration, I might define a “busybody” as “one who spends his time ‘fixing’ everyone else’s issues, but pays little or no attention to his own issues.” Or, to put it more bluntly, a busybody has a habit of “sticking his nose in other people’s business.” Perhaps, a strengthened way of describing this kind of person is a “troublesome meddler” (cf. 1 Peter 4:15). The word used here, is the Greek noun ALLOTRIEPISKOPOS, which means “one who takes the supervision of affairs pertaining to others and in no wise to himself, a meddler in other men’s affairs” (Thayer). This is clearly something of which the child of God should not to be found guilty.
It is interesting that “gossip” and “busybody” are set in contrast with working hard and remaining busy. Those who were being busybodies were told to get jobs and provide for themselves (2 Thess. 3:11-12). Working hard will help us to be able to live quiet lives and behave properly (1 Thess. 4:11- 12). Paul suggests that the way young widows would be able to avoid falling prey to gossip was to get married, raise their children, and keep house (1 Timothy 5:14). The tendency seems to be that when we have too much time on our hands because we aren’t busy, either working hard to provide for our families or tending to the needs and concerns of our families, we want to “busy” ourselves with the business of others. And if we spend all of our time always looking at others, trying to figure out what they are or are not doing, we will not only potentially begin to see problems in others that don’t exist, but we will most assuredly fail to see our own real problems.
There is more to say on this topic, and even some things that need to be clarified, before we can say that we have adequately defined what “gossip” is, but this will suffice to get us started and should give us enough to mull over for the time being.
This bulletin is being published for the purpose of encouraging a further study of the Word of God. Editor – Josh Liggin
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