Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Timothy 5:13

"And withal they learn also [to be] idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not." — 1 Timothy 5:13 (ASV)

And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house.—The first fervor of their devotion and renunciation of self will have cooled. Consequently, their very occupation will then become a snare to them.

The practice of going from house to house to console, instruct, and assist—now that their minds were no longer exclusively turned to religious thoughts and their hearts no longer solely filled by Jesus—would provide them with many opportunities for wasting precious hours and indulging in frivolous, if not harmful, conversation.

The Apostle seems to have feared that this would be the result of these visits, and the fruit of their work, if the younger sisters were enrolled in the official list. For he speaks of them becoming not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.