Confidentiality is an important concept in the Bible. While the Bible does not explicitly use the word “confidentiality,” it does address principles related to keeping information private and protecting confidential matters.
There are several passages in the Bible that encourage discretion and warn against gossip, slander, and revealing secrets. Proverbs 11:13 says, “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.” This verse promotes keeping confidences rather than spreading information that could harm others.
Proverbs 20:19 gives a similar warning: “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.” The book of Proverbs repeatedly cautions against revealing private information that could damage relationships.
Jesus also valued confidentiality. In Matthew 18:15-17, he gives instructions for confronting a brother who sins against you. Jesus says to first speak to him privately. If he does not listen, to then take one or two others along. The implication is that matters should be kept as confidential as possible and only widened when necessary.
The Bible gives other examples of keeping information limited to those who need to know. When Jesus raised Jairus’s daughter from the dead, he removed all except Peter, James, John, and the girl’s parents before performing the miracle (Luke 8:51). Jesus intentionally limited the witnesses to this confidential event.
In Acts 23:12-22, over forty men take a vow to kill Paul. Paul’s nephew hears of the plot and secretly informs the Roman commander, keeping the plot confidential within that small circle.
There are times when confidentiality must be broken, especially when someone’s life or safety is at stake. However, the Bible generally promotes discretion, privacy, and respecting confidential information when possible.
Principles about Confidentiality in the Bible
While the Bible does not use the term “confidentiality,” several principles and themes emerge regarding respecting privacy and protecting private information:
- Avoid gossip and revealing secrets (Proverbs 11:13, 20:19)
- Confront sin privately at first, only involving others gradually if needed (Matthew 18:15-17)
- Limit private information to those who genuinely need to know
- Use discretion when entrusted with confidential information
- Promote trust by guarding confidential matters
- There are occasions that may warrant revealing confidential information, such as to prevent harm to others
- God knows all matters, even the most confidential, and they are not hidden from Him (Hebrews 4:13)
The Bible commends being trustworthy and discreet with information. As Proverbs 11:13 states, “A trustworthy person keeps a secret” (NLT). At the same time, the Bible allows for privately confronting sin and occasionally sharing confidential information to prevent harm.
Examples of Confidentiality in the Bible
1. Jesus values privacy and limits witnesses
Jesus intentionally kept certain information and acts private and limited to small groups of witnesses. Two examples are briefly mentioned above:
- Raising Jairus’s daughter: “When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother” (Luke 8:51). Jesus maintained confidentiality by limiting witnesses to this miracle.
- Instructions on confronting sin privately: Jesus said to first confront a sinning brother alone. Only if he fails to listen are others gradually brought in (Matthew 18:15-17). The emphasis is resolving the matter confidentially.
Jesus valued both privacy and confidentiality, only involving those necessary. He kept information limited to small circles of witnesses when appropriate.
2. Paul keeps the plot against his life confidential
In Acts 23:12-22, over forty men take a vow to kill Paul. When Paul’s nephew uncovered the plot, he privately informed the Roman commander rather than spreading the information openly. The commander then made arrangements to protect Paul’s life.
Paul and his nephew preserved confidentiality regarding the murder plot. They limited the information to the Roman commander who needed to know to protect Paul’s life. Even in dire situations like this, the Bible shows the value of guarding sensitive information and involving only necessary parties.
3. Proverbs warn against revealing secrets and gossip
Multiple proverbs caution against revealing private information and matters that should remain confidential. Two examples are:
- “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” (Proverbs 11:13)
- “A gossip betrays confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.” (Proverbs 20:19)
Proverbs treats gossip and betraying confidences as unwise and foolish behavior. It values trustworthiness, discretion, and respecting privacy even in minor matters. The book of Proverbs gives consistent warnings against revealing information that should remain confidential.
How Confidentiality Applies to Christians
The principles and examples above have several implications for how confidentiality applies to Christians today:
- Christians should be discreet and trustworthy with any private information they receive, protecting confidences whenever appropriate (Proverbs 11:13).
- Christians should confront sin privately first when feasible, only widening the circle when necessary, following Jesus’ pattern (Matthew 18:15-17).
- Gossip and unnecessary disclosure of secrets is foolish and unwise. It destroys trust and harms relationships. Christians should avoid it (Proverbs 20:19).
- When entrusted with confidential information, Christians should limit it to those with a genuine need to know.
Of course, there are occasions where it is appropriate or legally necessary to disclose confidential information, such as to prevent harm, abuse or other dangers. The principles above assume normal circumstances.
Overall, the biblical approach is to handle confidential information discretely and privately, showing wisdom and care when sharing it with others. Christians should strive to be trustworthy and discerning to protect privacy and confidences when feasible.
Confidentiality and Pastors/Church Leaders
Confidentiality is especially important for pastors and church leaders when counseling church members or being entrusted with private information. Several principles apply:
- Pastors should keep counselee information private and confidential in normal circumstances.
- There are occasions when confidential information may need to be shared, such as if there is threat of harm or abuse. These instances call for wisdom and care.
- Counselees should be informed upfront of any situations where their confidentiality cannot be maintained by a pastor or church.
- Pastors should avoid revealing confidential information in sermons or illustrations, even without names attached. It violates the counselee’s privacy.
- Pastors should train and remind church staff to uphold confidentiality and privacy policies.
Maintaining confidentiality builds trust between pastors/churches and their members. It shows respect and care for those who entrust them with private matters. Handling confidential information properly is a critical pastoral responsibility.
Maintaining Confidentiality in Relationships
Confidentiality is also crucial for healthy relationships between friends, spouses, families, co-workers and others. Some tips include:
- Spouses should keep sensitive information, frustrations, or criticisms of their partner private.
- Friends should avoid spreading private details about each others’ lives, even casually.
- Families should refrain from airing confidences about other family members.
- Co-workers should keep proprietary work information confidential.
Of course, even in close relationships situations may arise requiring disclosure of confidential information. This calls for wisdom and care in determining who needs to know. The conservative approach is maintaining confidences whenever realistically possible.
Handling Confidential Information Biblically
When entrusted with any confidential information, here are some principles for Christians to handle it in a biblical manner:
- Ask yourself first if there is any compelling reason this information needs to be shared. If not, keep it private.
- Think carefully through all potential implications before disclosing it further.
- Limit any disclosure to only those who truly need to know in order to address the situation.
- Avoid even casual mention of confidential information. It violates trust.
- If in doubt, err on the side protecting confidentiality within biblical reason.
- Consider if partial information disclosure may address a problem without violating confidences.
Being entrusted with private information is a privilege. Christians should handle it with great care, wisdom and thoughtfulness. While situations may arise requiring disclosure, in general the biblical approach is protecting legitimate confidentiality whenever realistically possible.
Confidentiality and Church Discipline
A specific area where confidentiality intersects church practice is that of church discipline for unrepentant sin. Jesus gave instructions in Matthew 18:15-17 for confronting sin in the church:
If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17)
This passage shows a gradual widening of confidential information, while keeping the circle small at first. Only if the person remains unrepentant after multiple appeals is the matter opened to the whole church.
Even then, church leaders should exercise care and wisdom regarding details openly shared about the disciplinary process. The goal should be resolving the matter and protecting the integrity of the church’s witness, while still showing respect, discretion and guarding unnecessary disclosure.
Legal Obligations to Report
While the Bible promotes guarding confidences, Christians also have legal and moral obligations to report certain matters. Examples include:
- Threats to harm oneself or others.
- Ongoing or past physical/sexual abuse, especially against children.
- Senior financial exploitation.
- Possible terrorism plots and threats.
Christian confidentiality rightly gives way when there are dangers, crimes, abuse or other violations of the law involved. The first priority should be protecting those who may be harmed or stopping illegal plans from being carried out.
In these cases, the minimal confidential information needed should be disclosed only to proper authorities. This includes instances where church disciplinary processes uncover potentially illegal activity or abuse.
Confidentiality, Discernment and Wisdom
Navigating confidentiality requires godly wisdom and discernment. As needed, Christians should seek counsel from pastoral leadership, professional counselors, lawyers or others when unsure if disclosure is warranted. Especially in cases of protecting safety or stopping harm, seek input to ensure proper handling.
Additionally, those sharing private information should be clear upfront regarding the circumstances where total confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Ensuring expectations align is the ethical course.
In daily life, Christians witness many confidential interactions and information flow between friends, co-workers, family and others. Being trustworthy, discrete and discerning are valuable traits when navigating these situations.
Conclusion
While the Bible does not explicitly mention confidentiality, its principles promote using discernment when entrusted with private information. Christians are called to be trustworthy, to avoid gossip and unnecessary disclosure of secrets. Wisdom and care should be applied when determining who needs to know confidential matters.
At times, the bible shows limiting private information to small circles or even just one other individual. In certain circumstances, wider disclosure may be biblically warranted. But the default should be restricting confidences to only those who genuinely must know.
Pastors and church leaders especially must handle private information with great care and discretion. Overall, Christians have a responsibility to protect legitimate confidences, showing respect and wisdom when dealing with confidential matters.