1 Timothy 5:13

“And withal they learn to be idle, etc.] Being at ease, and without labour, living at the expense of the church: “wandering about from house to house”; having nothing else to do: such an one is what the Jews f72 call tybbwç hnmla, “the gadding widow”; who, as the gloss says, “goes about and visits her neighbours continually; and these are they that corrupt the world.” Of this sort of women must the Jews be understood, when they say f73, it is one of the properties of them to be twynaxwy “going out”, or gadding abroad, as Dinah did; and that it is another to be twyrbd, “talkative”, which agrees with what follows: and not only idle, but tattlers also; full of talk, who have always some news to…”

“withal--"at the same time, moreover." learn--usually in a good sense. But these women's "learning" is idleness, trifling, and busybodies' tattle. wandering--Greek, "going about." from house to house--of the members of the Church (Ti2 3:6). "They carry the affairs of this house to that, and of that to this; they tell the affairs of all to all" [THEOPHYLACT]. tattlers--literally "trifling talkers." In Jo3 1:10, translated "prating." busybodies--mischievously busy; inconsiderately curious (Th2 3:11). Act 19:19, "curious," the same Greek. Curiosity usually springs from idleness, which is itself the mother of garrulity [CALVIN]. speaking--not merely "saying." The subject-matter, as well as the…”

“And withal - In addition to the prospect that they may marry again, there are other disadvantages which might follow from such an arrangement, and other evils to be feared which it is desirable to avoid. They learn to be idle - That is, if supported by the church, and if without the settled principles which might be expected in those more aged and experienced, it may be feared that they will give themselves up to an indolent life. There would be a security in the age and established habits of these more advanced in life, which there could not be in their case. The apostle does not mean that widows are naturally disposed to be idle, but that in the situation referred to there would be danger…”

“5:13 Too seldom do those who are fully supported by the church invest their lives in remarkable piety (cp. 2:9-10; 5:10). Abusing the church’s support does not help them or the Good News (cp. 5:14). • talking about things they shouldn’t: The wording suggests involvement in the false teaching (5:15; cp. 2 Thes 3:11-13; Titus 1:11).”

“to be: Pro 31:27; Th2 3:6-11 wandering: Lev 19:16; Pro 20:19; Luk 10:7; Act 20:20 busybodies: Th2 3:11; Pe1 4:15 speaking: Act 20:30; Tit 1:11; Jam 3:10 1 Timothy 5:14”