Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

Another risk with younger widows is that “they get into the habit of being idle” or inactive. Instead of working, they go from house to house as “gossips [GK 5827] and busybodies [GK 4319].” That is, they pick up private matters and spread them abroad, and they meddle in things that do not concern them (cf. 1 Thessalonians 3:11). The consequences of such meddling can be tragic.