The concept of enjoyment in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing both the physical pleasures of life and the deeper, spiritual joy found in a relationship with God. The Bible acknowledges the goodness of God's creation and the legitimate enjoyment of His gifts, while also warning against the dangers of hedonism and the pursuit of pleasure as an end in itself.

Creation and Enjoyment

From the beginning, God intended for humanity to enjoy His creation. In Genesis, after creating the world and everything in it, God saw that it was "very good" (Genesis 1:31). This declaration underscores the inherent goodness of the material world and the legitimacy of enjoying it. The Garden of Eden itself was a place of delight, where Adam and Eve were given the freedom to enjoy the fruits of the garden, with the exception of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17).

Enjoyment in Daily Life

The Bible often speaks of enjoying the fruits of one's labor. Ecclesiastes, a book that grapples with the meaning of life, acknowledges the value of enjoying one's work and the simple pleasures of life. "There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God" (Ecclesiastes 2:24). This verse highlights that enjoyment is a gift from God, meant to be received with gratitude.

Spiritual Joy

Beyond physical enjoyment, the Bible emphasizes a deeper, spiritual joy that comes from knowing and serving God. The Psalms frequently speak of this joy: "You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11). This joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in the presence and promises of God.

Warnings Against Excess

While the Bible affirms the goodness of enjoyment, it also warns against excess and the pursuit of pleasure as a primary goal. Proverbs cautions, "He who loves pleasure will become poor; he who loves wine and oil will never be rich" (Proverbs 21:17). The New Testament echoes this sentiment, urging believers to live self-controlled lives and to avoid the pitfalls of hedonism (Titus 2:11-12).

Enjoyment in Community

The Bible also highlights the importance of enjoying life in community. The early church is described as a community that shared meals with gladness and sincerity of heart (Acts 2:46). This communal enjoyment reflects the biblical principle that joy is often found in relationships and shared experiences.

Eternal Joy

Ultimately, the Bible points to an eternal joy that surpasses all earthly pleasures. Revelation describes a future where God will dwell with His people, and "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (Revelation 21:4). This vision of eternal joy serves as a reminder that while earthly enjoyment is temporary, the joy found in God is everlasting.

In summary, the Bible presents a balanced view of enjoyment, recognizing it as a gift from God while cautioning against its misuse. True enjoyment is found in a life that honors God, embraces His gifts with gratitude, and looks forward to the eternal joy of His presence.398. akal -- to eat
... 1), eat (398), eat freely (1), eaten (66), eaten at all (2), eaten freely (1), eater
(2), eater's (1), eating (25), eats (29), edible (2), enjoys (2), entirely ...
/hebrew/398.htm - 6k

God Uses Rather than Enjoys Us.
... Book I. Chapter 31."God Uses Rather Than Enjoys Us. 34. ... For if He neither enjoys
nor uses us, I am at a loss to discover in what way He can love us. ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 31 god uses rather than.htm

That all Things were Created for Some Use, Even those Things which ...
... Chap. IV."That All Things Were Created for Some Use, Even Those Things Which Appear
Evil; On What Account Man Enjoys Reason in So Frail a Body. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap iv that all things were.htm

The Glory of Penitents and Pious People.
... They are headed by a queen who does not wear a virgin's crown; and yet, she is so
beautiful, and enjoys so intimate a union with Jesus. Who is she? ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter xx the glory of.htm

That the Platonists Hold the First Rank in Moral Philosophy Also.
... the enjoyment of the mind, but by the enjoyment of God,"enjoying Him, however, not
as the mind does the body or itself, or as one friend enjoys another, but ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 8 that the platonists hold.htm

Whether Use Regards Also the Last End?
... end. For Augustine says (De Trin. x, 11): "Whoever enjoys, uses." But man enjoys
the last end. Therefore he uses the last end. Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether use regards also the.htm

The Will to Possess Blessedness is one in All, but the Variety of ...
... For certainly, if it is in the pleasure of the body, he is blessed who enjoys the
pleasure of the body; if in goodness of mind, he has it who enjoys this; if ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 4 the will to possess.htm

Degrees of Happiness in Heaven.
... Because each one sees and enjoys only in proportion to his individual development
and elevation of mind"which is given to him by the Light of glory. ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter xiv degrees of happiness.htm

Omar and the Sacred vine
... The lover enjoys the moment, but precisely not for the moment's sake. He
enjoys it for the woman's sake, or his own sake. The warrior ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/vii omar and the sacred.htm

Degrees of Enjoyment through the Glorified Senses.
... Each one appropriates and enjoys his own individual pleasure, according to the
peculiar development of his faculties. So it is in heaven. ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter xv degrees of enjoyment.htm

The Glory of Jesus and Mary.
... No one in the whole of heaven can say that he enjoys its happiness by his own natural
endeavors; for, without the grace of God, we cannot even have a good ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter xvi the glory of.htm

Enjoys (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Enjoys (5 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 13:2 By the fruit of his
lips, a man enjoys good things; but the unfaithful crave violence. ...
/e/enjoys.htm - 7k

Enjoyment (11 Occurrences)

/e/enjoyment.htm - 10k

Enlarge (18 Occurrences)

/e/enlarge.htm - 14k

Nobleman (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) One of the nobility; a noble; a peer; one who enjoys
rank above a commoner, either by virtue of birth, by office, or by patent. ...
/n/nobleman.htm - 12k

Guarding (16 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:21 "Whenever a strong man, fully armed and equipped, is guarding his own
castle, he enjoys peaceful possession of his property; (WEY). ...
/g/guarding.htm - 10k

Wretched (14 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who
has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast. (WEB NIV). ...
/w/wretched.htm - 10k

Freeman (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who enjoys liberty, or who is not
subject to the will of another; one not a slave or vassal. ...
/f/freeman.htm - 10k

Equipped (17 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:21 "Whenever a strong man, fully armed and equipped, is guarding his own
castle, he enjoys peaceful possession of his property; (WEY). ...
/e/equipped.htm - 11k

Dower (4 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) That portion of the real estate of a man which his widow enjoys during her
life, or to which a woman is entitled after the death of her husband. ...
/d/dower.htm - 8k

Property (212 Occurrences)
... (WEY BBE). Luke 11:21 "Whenever a strong man, fully armed and equipped, is guarding
his own castle, he enjoys peaceful possession of his property; (WEY). ...
/p/property.htm - 37k

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