What is 'gossip'?
1. Standard definitions:
The English word is not in the KJV.
Nevertheless, the definition of the English word is "[Old
English godsibb < god, God, and sibb,
relation.] Idle talk, rumors, or scandal; light familiar talk
or writing."
This could perhaps mean that one 'relates something authoritatively,
as God', or perhaps one relates information about others which
'portrays them in a negative light in relation to God or to His
way'.
[If anyone has access to an explanation of the original meaning
of the OE word, we would like to hear it.]
"Idle talk" can be either favorable or unfavorable
toward the subject of discussion, as can "rumors".
"Scandal" can mean either 'public reproach or disgrace',
a 'discreditable or disgraceful event, action , or circumstance',
'an offense resulting from fault or misdeed'
or,
'malicious, defamatory talk'.
"Light, familiar talk or writing" could be either favorable
or unfavorable toward the subject.
By definition, 'gossip', as a noun, can be either favorable or
unfavorable information. Although we commonly use 'gossip' in
a negative sense (especially the verb), by definition, it can
be either positive or negative information. It can also be either
true or false information, or a mixture. The truthfulness or
falseness of the information is not defined
by the label 'gossip', although we commonly use it that way.
Also as a noun, 'gossip' is used in contrast to 'facts' or 'truth',
although by definition, 'gossip' could be true, false or a mixture
of both.
Our experience in the churches of God has shown us that 'rumors'
are often a mixture and can sometimes be totally true. Both words
have often been used by those defending themselves against valid
accusations.
The definition of "malicious, defamatory talk" is another
matter. This implies deliberate character assassination:
-'malice' -- "Desire to inflict injury or suffering on another;
active or vindictive ill will; [law] evil intent on the part
of one who commits a wrongful act injurious to others"
-'defamation' --"The uttering or publishing of slanderous words
with the purpose of injuring another's reputation;"
-'slander' -- "[this word is simply scandal in another form],
a false tale or report maliciously uttered and tending to injure
the reputation of another;"
2. Definition by usage
When someone (A) relates true information to another (B), we
do not always consider that 'gossip' although by definition,
it easily can be.
When someone (A) relates allegations about (C), to (B), is that
gossip?
Our personal determination usually involves other questions.
1) Are the allegations true or not?
2) Is there a reason for (B) to know this?
3) Does (A) have personal knowledge of the information?
4) Does (A) accurately present the information?
5) Why is (A) relaying this information?
This can easily get complicated, so to keep it simple, we'll
go back to
the definitions from which the primary negative application involves
"malicious defamation", in other words, there must
be;
1. an intent to harm and,
2. the use of false information
If there is no intent to harm and if the information is true,
then the
act is not, by definition, 'gossip' in the primary negative sense.
What about the secondary sense of "idle talk"?
"Idle" -- OE idel, vain, empty, doing nothing"
in other words, without purpose.
If there is 'a purpose' (unselfish and without malice) to the
conveying of information, it is not by definition, 'gossip' in
the commonly used, negative sense.
3. Motivation
One aspect which is not contained in the definitions is the motivation
of the speaker. Some use gossip to make themselves popular. In
other words, 'I know something you don't know'. Some use it to
tear down others, and to advance themselves by comparison which
comes back to the intent "to harm".
What about the instances when the speaker has a right motivation?
To inform, to warn, or to instruct? We use examples from scripture
which are scandalous or defamatory to certain individuals,
such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Moses, Aaron, David, and
on and on. What about the rumors about Christ's parentage? We
pass those on to those whom we teach, but it is not with any
intent to harm, or to defame. No one would accuse us of gossip
here, but all these fit the definitions above.
What about "tale-bearing" or "rumor-mongering"
or "spreading rumors"?
The implication here is that the information is being distributed
to those who had no previous knowledge of it.
If person (A) discusses it with person (B) who already knows
about it, or if everyone already has knowledge of an event, it
is not a matter of "spreading" anything.
If there is no intent to harm, if the information is true, and
if there is no selfish motivation, then it is not 'gossip' in
the commonly used and negative sense.
4. What do scriptures
say?
Lev 19:16, "You shall no go up and down as a talebearer
(rakyl, scandal-monger, i.e. spreading false information)
among your people:..."
In other words, telling a lot of people or telling everyone.
For instance, the difference would be someone attempting to send
a private e-mail versus someone purposely e-mailing a post and
cc-ing everyone else on the list.
Continuing: "...Don't falsely accuse your neighbor of some
crime:.." (Living Version)
The information must be "false". Speaking of an event
which is true, is not forbidden.
How is truth established? Even in matters of life and death,
it only required two witnesses (Deu. 17:6 and others).
Psa. 15:1 "...who shall dwell in your holy hill?
15:3 he that backbites [ragal, slander (relates false info)]
not with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor (intent to
harm), nor takes up a reproach against ('al, against ,yet
always in this application with a downward aspect) his neighbor."
What is prohibited is 'relating false information', and the 'intent
to harm'.
Pro. 11:13 "A tale-bearer reveals secrets: but he that is
of a faithful spirit conceals the matter."
This definition of a tale-bearer requires that something previously
'secret' be revealed.
Pro. 16:28 "A froward man sows strife; and a whisperer (nirgan,
a slanderer) separates chief friends."
This comment concerns one spreading "false" information.
Pro. 17:9 He that covers a transgression seeks love; but he that
repeats (shanah, to fold, ie. duplicate, by impl., to transmute,
i.e. change) a matter separates very friends."
This prohibits the multiplication of charges, or making something
sound worse than it already is, or the changing of (making worse)
charges.
1 Pet. 4:15 does not concern 'tale-bearing'. "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."
"busybody" is from the Greek, "allotriepiskopos,
overseeing other affairs, i.e. a meddler (spec. in Gentile customs)"
meddle -- "To interfere or take part in a matter in an officious,
impertinent or offensive manner."
This refers to one who does more than just express an opinion.
1 Tim. 5 discusses widows and elders. JFB comments that "the
weightiest authorities (MSS) give the sense that 'if any of the
younger widows have older widows dependent upon them, they should
support them, instead of the church bearing the burden'."
This relieves the church and keeps the "younger widow"
busy which will help her avoid the temptations of "idleness"
such as "wandering from house to house; and not only idle,
but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought
not." (verse 13).
"busybodies" here is from 'periergos', working
all around, i.e. officious"
(officious--"excessively forward in kindness; offering or
performing services not wanted; annoyingly eager to oblige or
assist; meddling.")
"tattlers" is "from phularos, from phluo
(to bubble); a garrulous person, i.e. prater"
'garrulous'-- excessively verbose; loquacious; characterized
by diffuse or rambling speech"
This speaks of those who purposely seek to inform many people
or everyone. Commenting on matters which are already public knowledge
is not prohibited here. Private conversation is not prohibited.
Pro. 20:19 "He that goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets:
therefore meddle not with him that flatters with his lips."
This involves making private information, public.
Conclusions:
To qualify as 'gossip' by scriptural definitions:
1. It must be told to those who have no previous knowledge of
it. Lev. 19:16
2. One must relate false information with the intent to do harm.
Psa. 15:1,3
3. One must reveal something previously 'secret'. Pro. 11:13
4. It must be false information. Pro. 16:28
5. The information is multiplied or modified in a negative manner.
Pro. 17:9
6. One must interfere in some manner beyond just expressing an
opinion. 1 Pet. 4:15
7. One must seek to relate information to those who have no previous
knowledge of it.
1 Tim 5
8. One must make private information public. Pro. 20:19
In the field of education, there is a saying, "If one would
teach others, let him first teach himself".
Copyright M.H. and G.H. 1999, 2002.
All rights reserved.
