Idle (ἀργός) describes someone who has nothing to do or is unwilling to work and, therefore, lazy.
Words are important. Men will give account for every idle utterance that comes out of the mouth, Matthew 12:36. This is because the mouth speaks out from the abundance of the heart, Matthew 12:34. A good man will store up good treasure in his heart, where a malignantly evil one will bring forth malignantly evil things from the treasury of his heart.
Socialism is not a standard for the Church. As with secular socialism, when people are taken care of and allowed to be idle rather than work, they become lazy. However, within the assembly, the sharing of possessions can and should be done out of love. We are a community that cares for each other. Sharing is not to encourage laziness, for one who does not work is not to be permitted to eat, 2 Thessalonians 3:10. When a woman within the assembly becomes a widow, who is truly destitute having no living relatives, the local assembly is to care for her needs. This type of caring demonstrates our unity and love for the saints. However, if she is young or has other family members who can care for her, she is not to be financially provided for by the Church because of the danger of her becoming idle; instead, she is to marry, bear children, and manage the household, 1 Timothy 5:13.
The standards for a Pastor are essential for the assembly to know and to hold him accountable to. Paul left Titus in Crete to put things in order and appoint elders (pastors) in each of the cities, abiding by the guidance that Paul gave him, Titus 1:5. Due to the insubordination of some who are vain talkers and deceivers, teaching things that should not be taught and subverting whole household for dishonest gain, Paul had to specifically send Titus to put things in orders, for even their own prophets describe them as lazy gluttons, Titus 1:10-12. This same danger exists within many assemblies that do not hold their pastors to the Scriptural requirements of a Bishop.
Christians have been given all things pertaining to life and godliness. Therefore, we are not to be idle or unfruitful in gaining a full experiential knowledge of Christ. We are to be diligent in adding to our faith virtue. Virtue is manifesting a character that denotes excellence; therefore, living out the righteousness we have in Christ. To our virtue we add knowledge by experiencing through learning to identify and fulfill the desires of the Spirit. Knowledge will support self-control because we know who we are in Christ and what is coming. Patient is supported by self-control. While being patient we will live out godliness. Our godly behavior is the foundation for our brotherly fondness of the saints. Out of our fondness for the saints comes a love that seeks the best for them, 2 Peter 1:8. However, one who lacks these things is shortsighted, forgetting they have been cleaned from their old sins, 2 Peter 1:9. Let us be diligent in doing our sure calling even election, for in doing these things we will not fall, 2 Peter 1:10.
