Some Brief Thoughts on Gossip and Godly Speech

Out of curiosity, I looked up “gossip” in my Bible, looked up its roots in Greek, and chased down similar words in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament). Since the verb “gossip” could literally mean “to whisper,” I looked up “whisper” in Proverbs to add some thoughts. Then I added some further thoughts from Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the New Testament. So, here are some word-study-guided reminders from the Bible about our speech.

The Greek verb behind gossip can literally mean “to whisper” (psithyrizō). David’s servants whispered so David could not hear them (2 Samuel 12:19). In fact, the first part of the verb sounds like whispering—psith. It even sounds like the noise of a snake. The Hebrew speaks of a serpent holding back his bite if “charmed” (Ecclesiastes 10:11), which the Septuagint terms as “whispering” (psithyrismos). The flick of the tongue in the teeth while vocalizing makes for snake-like sounds.

Perhaps the overlap between whispering and snakes is fitting. Gossip bites and poisons the soul. Gossip also holds evil company: “quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip [psithyrismos] conceit, and disorder” (2 Corinthians 12:20), the kinds of vices that viciously rip apart a church. Gossip as speech is “derogatory information about someone that is offered in a tone of confidentiality” (BDAG). A person who is a gossip through and through does not worship God (Romans 1:29, psithyristēs; cf. 1:18–32). Such a person is a “rumormonger” or a “tale-bearer” (BDAG).

Going back to the Old Testament, we find a similar concept in several verses to add to our understanding of gossip. Whisperers are dishonest people whose whisperings separate close friends (Proverbs 16:28). Their words pique morbid interest and penetrate listeners in a way that cannot be unheard (Proverbs 18:8; 26:22). Whisperers are like wood to the fire—no wood, no fire; and likewise, no whisperer, no quarreling (Proverbs 26:20).

And now I meander to other related thoughts. Sometimes we unintentionally create relational fires by simply saying too much. We do not intend to whisper, but we speak in ignorance, creating rumors and false information. For a matter like this, restraint in speech is prudent (Proverbs 10:19). Even if one is a fool, his silence is thought to be knowledge, wisdom, and intelligence (Proverbs 17:27–28). However, he is a fool indeed if he expresses needless opinions (Proverbs 18:2). Forecasting the future and talking about it without end leads to foolishness or madness (Ecclesiastes 10:12–14). And what we whisper to another, however confidential the setting may seem, might take flight and land into the ears of others (Ecclesiastes 10:20).

Though James 1:19 speaks against anger, it is also good advice in general: “let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak.” Similarly, “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame” (Proverbs 18:13). Whatever we say, may God help us to edify others, speak gracious words, gladden the Spirit, and show kindness in all we say (Ephesians 4:29–32).

David Huffstutler is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Rockford, IL. He blogs here, where this article first appeared. It is republished here by permission.

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