We see the Bible condemning things like gossip, slander, and abundance of words. In fact, the part of the Bible where “love your neighbor as yourself” comes from shows God condemning people for talking/thinking privately about others without confronting them directly (see Leviticus 19).

But when can it be godly to mention others without them present?

Here are very quick thoughts on this:

  • 1 Cor 1:11: “It has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you…”
  • 1 Cor 5:1: “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans…”
  • 1 Cor 11:18: “I hear that there are divisions among you…”
  • 2 Cor 9:2: “I boast about you to the people of Macedonia…”
  • Colossians 1:4: “we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints…”

You’ll notice good and bad things are reported to those in oversight of the churches.

I might add that the Bible itself is a record of good and bad events that are reported to people reading it that were never there to talk to the people directly.

Of course, as said above, Scripture condemns gossip, slander, and abundance of words that need not be spoken. But I submit these to consider that there is a lot of room for godly talk about others where it’s important to know things about other people (both good and bad things).