Verse 13
‘And together with this they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tittle-tattlers and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.’
Another reason why they were unsuitable is that at the same time as they are beginning to think in terms of marrying again, when they spend their time visiting houses, they will begin to tittle tattle and become busybodies, because they do not have the perspective and seriousness of the older women Their younger energies and outlook, combined with their new freedom from other responsibilities, would cause them to go astray. They may give away secrets that should be confidential, or talk about ‘the latest thing’ being taught by some in the churches (the old wives’ fables previously mentioned), or go in for prying instead of praying, prying into things that do not concern them, rather than simply getting down to the task in hand. Even their tongues may run away with them so that they may say foolish things, because they are less restrained and therefore more likely to be untrustworthy in this respect. (We must remember that Paul is not theorising. He is speaking from experience as someone who had seen it all happen. He was an expert on human nature).
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