The Biblical Meaning Of Gossip & Slander
Introduction: A Crisis of Misunderstanding
We live in a day when slander and gossip have lost their biblical meaning. Well-meaning wives are afraid to seek counsel about their marriages out of fear of being accused of gossiping. Youth workers hesitate to report a senior pastor’s mismanagement of funds, fearing they might commit slander. Pastors and teachers avoid speaking out against popular teachers who promote heresies because they don’t want to be labeled as aligning with Satan, the “accuser of the brethren.” If we’re afraid to address sin or false doctrine and hesitant to seek wise counsel, it’s safe to say we have a serious problem on our hands.
The Need for Clear Definitions
How do we fix this? How do we help believers flourish through wise counsel and expose the evil deeds of darkness without slipping into gossip or slander? I believe the solution starts with defining our terms. As it stands, slander and gossip have been so broadly defined that they could incriminate even the Lord of Glory! Such definitions simply won’t do.
A Common Definition of Gossip
Let’s examine the way one popular evangelical pastor defined gossip.
Gossip: “The sharing of negative or derogatory information about someone, regardless of whether it is true or false, in a way that harms relationships and damages the community.”
Biblical Examples of Sharing Negative Information
You might not love this definition—I know I don’t—but similar ones abound on major Christian blogs. Some focus on motive, others on the action, but they almost always boil down to one thing: damaging someone’s reputation. However, definitions like these don’t hold water.
Jesus and Judas
In John 13:2–26, Jesus shares negative information about Judas with John, disclosing that Judas is the betrayer. This revelation is neither encouraging nor positive—it’s damaging information that would harm Judas’ reputation with the other disciples. By the popular definition, this could qualify as a juicy morsel of gossip (Judas pun intended). Some excuse Jesus by saying, “Well, that’s Jesus,” as though He operates by a different set of rules. But this isn’t the case. Jesus is our example in life and practice. He didn’t break the rules—He fulfilled them perfectly.
Paul and Alexander the Coppersmith
Another example comes from 2 Timothy 4:14, where Paul warns Timothy about Alexander the coppersmith, who had harmed him. In modern terms, Alexander “did Paul dirty.” Sharing this information could hurt Alexander’s reputation and livelihood as a coppersmith, especially if the church in Ephesus learned he was untrustworthy.
We could also mention Paul’s naming of Hymenaeus and Alexander or his public rebuke of Peter in Galatians 2. There are too many examples to include in one blog. Suffice it to say, the same Paul who condemned slander in Romans 1—calling it a mark of depravity—isn’t contradicting himself by “enscripturating” his own gossip.
Addressing Misunderstandings About Gossip and Slander
The precise motive of Paul was to damage the relationship between the coppersmith and the Ephesian Church. Why? Because the coppersmith was a bad guy, and as a shepherd, Paul had a responsibility to protect the sheep. Ruining relationships is a natural consequence of church discipline or exposing the deeds of darkness. Certainly, this cannot be considered gossip… can it?
Defining Slander and Gossip Biblically
The problem isn’t with Paul or Jesus. The problem lies in our definitions. We misunderstand how the Bible uses the terms slander and gossip, leading to misapplications in our own lives and confusion about Scripture.
Challenges with Translation
One challenge is that Bible translators often use the terms interchangeably. For instance, the NIV might translate a Hebrew word as “gossip,” while the ESV translates it as “slander.” This makes it harder to pin down precise definitions. However, the Bible consistently condemns actions like spreading lies or betraying confidences as sinful.
Biblical Definitions of Slander and Gossip
Take Leviticus 19:15–16, for example:“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.” Here, slander refers to bearing false witness—spreading lies to harm someone’s reputation or elevate your own. It also includes sharing unverified claims that lack evidence.
Now consider Proverbs 11:11–13: “Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” Here, gossip refers to betraying a confidence—sharing private or entrusted information without permission.
Practical Takeaways for Believers
From these examples, we can conclude that slander is bearing false witness, while gossip is breaking confidentiality. Since the Bible uses these terms interchangeably at times, it’s essential to examine the context of each passage to determine whether it’s addressing lying or breaching trust.
If you’re seeking counsel or wisdom from friends, family, or pastoral leadership, you don’t need to fear gossip. If you want to confront sin in the church but worry about quenching the Spirit through slander, take heart—the Spirit of truth doesn’t fear the truth.
Walking in the Light
Instead, let’s aim to follow the biblical framework for addressing these issues. Speak with integrity, ensuring your words are truthful and rooted in love (Ephesians 4:15). Seek wise counsel, knowing that godly advisors are a gift to guide us through challenges (Proverbs 11:14). And when confronting sin, remember the goal is always restoration, not destruction (Galatians 6:1).
By reclaiming the biblical meaning of gossip and slander, we free ourselves to speak truth in love, to seek counsel without fear, and to stand boldly against wrongdoing. The church thrives when we walk in the light, exposing darkness and building one another up in truth and grace. Let’s commit to being people who use our words to heal, restore, and glorify God.
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