But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
The verse forbids suffering as a murderer, thief, evildoer, or busybody in other men's matters, and it draws a sharp line between suffering for such wrongdoing and suffering as a Christian. Being reproached for Christ's sake belongs on the Christian side of that line; it is not suffering as an evildoer but suffering for Christ.
The forbidden meddling includes interfering in matters that do not concern a person by dictating, ordering, and controlling in church cases and in families. It also includes questioning and criticizing the course of those who are walking in the light as Christ is in the light, listening to evil speaking, and allowing another person's feelings, impressions, and imaginings to shape the mind and the speech. Busybody speech of this kind harms the church, even when those engaging in it think they are strengthening it. Attending to others' business instead of one's own fuels jealousy and suspicion and worsens difficulties in the church.
Busybody criticism and careless words cause mischief, hinder faithful workers, and cause others to stumble. Such a course of meddling and wrongdoing gives the enemy access to the mind and disqualifies a person for a position of responsibility. Those who merely soothe evildoers and quiet their consciences, instead of helping them deal thoroughly with wrongdoing, are not peacemakers.
In times of trial believers are to keep their words and conduct circumspect so as not to suffer in this forbidden way. The forbidden meddling must be guarded against by clear discernment and by refusal to listen to evil speaking. Those who persist in busybody criticism must repent and reform.
The verse forbids suffering as a murderer, thief, evildoer, or busybody in other men's matters, and it draws a sharp line between suffering for such wrongdoing and suffering as a Christian. Being reproached for Christ's sake belongs on the Christian side of that line; it is not suffering as an evildoer but suffering for Christ.
The forbidden meddling includes interfering in matters that do not concern a person by dictating, ordering, and controlling in church cases and in families. It also includes questioning and criticizing the course of those who are walking in the light as Christ is in the light, listening to evil speaking, and allowing another person's feelings, impressions, and imaginings to shape the mind and the speech. Busybody speech of this kind harms the church, even when those engaging in it think they are strengthening it. Attending to others' business instead of one's own fuels jealousy and suspicion and worsens difficulties in the church.
Busybody criticism and careless words cause mischief, hinder faithful workers, and cause others to stumble. Such a course of meddling and wrongdoing gives the enemy access to the mind and disqualifies a person for a position of responsibility. Those who merely soothe evildoers and quiet their consciences, instead of helping them deal thoroughly with wrongdoing, are not peacemakers.
In times of trial believers are to keep their words and conduct circumspect so as not to suffer in this forbidden way. The forbidden meddling must be guarded against by clear discernment and by refusal to listen to evil speaking. Those who persist in busybody criticism must repent and reform.