Rumours

Insubstantial information, frequently not factual and leading to groundless fears.

Rumours can give rise to fear

Jeremiah 51:46; Matthew 24:6 parallel Mark 13:7 See also Job 28:22; Ezekiel 7:26; 1 Timothy 4:7

Do not let your heart grow faint, and do not be afraid when the rumor is heard in the land; for a rumor will come one year— and then another the next year— of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler.

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come.

Rumours can come from misunderstanding what has been said

John 21:23

Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. However, Jesus did not say that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?”

Rumours are sometimes maliciously spread

Proverbs 17:4; 3 John 1:10 See also Proverbs 16:28, Proverbs 26:24; 1 Timothy 3:11, 1 Timothy 5:13, 1 Timothy 6:11

A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.

So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church.