Bible Dictionary
BUSYBODY
A busybody is someone who meddles in other people’s affairs, spreads gossip, or interferes instead of working responsibly. The apostles condemn such conduct as contrary to Christian love, trust, and orderly living.
Definition
A busybody is one who meddles in other people’s affairs instead of attending responsibly to proper work. The term includes intrusive conduct, tattling, gossip, and interference in matters that do not belong to the person concerned.
Biblical Usage
The apostles warn against busybodies among Christians, especially those who are idle, tattlers, or meddle in other people’s matters. Such behavior conflicts with brotherly love, mutual trust, orderly living, and the ethical demands of Christianity.
Historical Background
The word represents Greek expressions for being overbusy or supervising what belongs to another. The source material observes that backbiting was a common trait among oriental peoples and that sins against the eighth commandment were present in the apostolic church.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>biz'-i-bod-i (periergos, allotrioepiskopos): The word is found twice in Paulinic literature.: 1Ti 5:13, "not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies," and 2Th 3:11, "work not at all, but are busybodies." It is also found in 1Pe 4:15 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "meddler") "or as a busybody in other men's matters." If these passages be coupled with such others as Jas 3:2-10; 4:11; Eph 4:29,31; Tit 3:2, it becomes evident that sins against the eighth commandment were as common in the apostolic church as they are today. To this day backbiting is a common trait of oriental peoples. And it is this sin which is so repeatedly warned against by the apostles, as in direct conflict with the ethics of Christianity, and in violation of that spirit of brotherly love and mutual trust which Christ has enjoined on His followers, and which is the very marrow of the outward revelation of the Christian faith (1Co 13).</p><p>Henry E. Dosker</p>