Meddler (244) allotriepiskopos by Greek Word Studies

Troublesome meddler (244) (allotriepiskopos from allótrios = another's + episkopos = one who sees, or watches, over others) is literally an overseer of others, but here takes on a negative connotation describing someone who intrudes into matters that belong to someone else, overseeing others' affairs, as a meddler or a busybody. Vincent writes that it is literally "the overseer of another’s matters. One who usurps authority in matters not within his province. Rev., meddler. Compare Lk 12:13, 14; 1Th 4:11; 2Th 3:11. It may refer to the officious interference of Christians in the affairs of their Gentile neighbors, through excess of zeal to conform them to the Christian standard. TDNT makes a good point that "Since it is not found outside the NT, we must deduce its meaning from the context. The context, however, allows of various possibilities: a. “one who has his eye on the possessions of others”; b. “an unfaithful guardian of goods committed to him”; c. “one who meddles in things that do not concern him,” and d. “a calumniator or informer.” (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) Barclay - Peter goes on to point out that it is as a Christian that a man must suffer and not as an evil-doer. The evils which he singles out are all clear enough until we come to the last. A Christian, Peter says, is not to suffer as an allotriepiskopos (244). The trouble is that there is no other instance of this word in Greek and Peter may well have invented it. It can have three possible meanings, all of which would be relevant. It comes from two words, allotrios (Greek 45), belonging to another and episkopos (1985), looking upon or looking into. Therefore, it literally means looking upon, or into, that which belongs to another. (i) To look on that which is someone else's might well be to cast covetous eyes upon it. That is how both the Latin Bible and Calvin take this word--to mean that the Christian must not be covetous. (ii) To look upon that which belongs to another might well mean to be too interested in other people's affairs and to be a meddling busybody. That is by far the most probable meaning. There are Christians who do an infinite deal of harm with misguided interference and criticism. This would mean that the Christian must never be an interfering busybody. That gives good sense and, we believe, the best sense. (iii) There is a third possibility. Allotrios (245) means that which belongs to someone else; that is to say, that which is foreign to oneself. Along that line allotriepiskopos (244) will mean looking upon that which is foreign to oneself. That would mean, of a Christian, entering upon undertakings which do not befit the Christian life. This would mean that a Christian must never interest himself in things which are alien to the life that a Christian should lead. While all three meanings are possible, we think that the third is the right one. It is Peter's injunction that, if a Christian has to suffer for Christ, he must do so in such a way that his suffering brings glory to God and to the name he bears. His life and conduct must be the best argument that he does not deserve the suffering which has come upon him and his attitude to it must commend the name he bears. (Barclay's Daily Study Bible) Proverbs warns us of the danger of meddling "Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him. (Proverbs 26:17) (Clearly the analogy is that both actions will result in trouble for the one commits them.) 1 Peter 4:16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. (NASB: Lockman) Greek: ei de os Christianos, me aischunestho, (3SPMM) doxazeto (3SPAM)de ton theon en to onomati touto. Amplified: But if [one is ill-treated and suffers] as a Christian [which he is contemptuously called], let him not be ashamed, but give glory to God that he is [deemed worthy to suffer] in this name..(Amplified Bible - Lockman) NLT: But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his wonderful name! (NLT - Tyndale House) Wuest: But if he suffer [reproach] as a Christian, let him not continue to be ashamed, but let him be glorifying God because of this name (Eerdmans) Young's Literal: and if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; and let him glorify God in this respect; BUT IF ANYONE SUFFERS AS A CHRISTIAN: ei de os Christianos: (1Pe 3:17,18; Acts 11:26; 26:28; Ep 3:13, 14, 15) But - In contrast to suffering for sinful actions just described. Suffers is not in the Greek but added by the translators to help understand the flow of Peter's argument. Christian - Try this. Remove the letter "a" from Christian and transpose it to the beginning. What do you see? "A Christ in"! What should others see (especially when we are suffering)? Note we are followers of Christ and filled with Christ (His Spirit) but we are not "little Christs", which is a heretical thought! And remember that the suffering to which Peter refers is a supernatural, Spirit enabled effort not a self (flesh) enabled work. 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Meddler (244) allotriepiskopos

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