Wednesday’s Words: Third’s Words

Gary Pollard

Fundamental Idea: Poking one’s nose where it doesn’t belong. 

• II Thessalonians 3.11 – “We hear that some of you are idle, not busy working, but being busybodies.” 
• • • This person is more likely to accept charity than contribute to the good of others (cf. 3.7-11). 
    • Some at the Thessalonian church were confused about the second coming and may have stopped working (2.1, 2). 
    • Not being occupied with providing or pursuing the work of the church leaves one vulnerable to pursuit of ungodliness. 
• I Timothy 5.13 – “Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going from house to house – not just idle, but a gossiper and busybody.” 
  • Paul is warning about the potential danger of financially supporting young widows (as opposed to older widows) who could be taken care of by family. Those who don’t look out for their own have “denied the faith and are worse than unbelievers” (5.8). 
  • By having little to occupy their time, they may end up intruding into things they shouldn’t. 
• Acts 19.19 – “And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all…”
  • Magic arts is the emphasis here, surprisingly. An interest in unhealthy subjects is the same word as busybody. 

Being occupied with things that aren’t our business or are spiritually harmful is considered sinful! While we should be vigilant to take care of our spiritual family, we should pursue balance by not having an unhealthy interest in others’ affairs and by filling our time with cultivating godliness.