Periergazomai describes being occupied as an idle busybody rather than doing work.

The attested use describes people characterized by idle conduct while occupying themselves as busybodies rather than working, in the contrast presented in 2 Thessalonians 3:11.

1. Idle involvement instead of working · dominant

   In 2 Thessalonians 3:11, the present middle participle occurs of some who are described as walking idly and doing no work; the APB renders the verse with “being busybodies,” placing the activity in contrast with work.

   2 Thessalonians 3:11

In the Anselm Project Bible: In 2 Thessalonians 3:11, the APB presents the clause as “doing no work but being busybodies.” This wording confirms the verse-level contrast without isolating a precise English token for the term.