Indolence, often understood as habitual laziness or avoidance of activity, is a concept addressed in various passages of the Bible. It is generally viewed as a vice that leads to poverty, spiritual stagnation, and moral decay. The Bible frequently contrasts indolence with diligence, encouraging believers to be industrious and proactive in their faith and daily lives.

Old Testament References

The Book of Proverbs, known for its practical wisdom, frequently warns against the dangers of indolence. Proverbs 6:9-11 admonishes, "How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit." This passage highlights the inevitable consequences of laziness, emphasizing that indolence leads to poverty and want.

Proverbs 10:4 further states, "Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." Here, the contrast between idleness and diligence is clear, with the latter being associated with prosperity and success. Similarly, Proverbs 13:4 notes, "The soul of the sluggard craves, yet gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied." This verse underscores the futility of desires unaccompanied by effort.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, the theme of indolence is addressed in the context of spiritual readiness and service. Jesus' parables often illustrate the importance of being prepared and active in one's faith. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the servant who buried his talent out of fear and laziness is rebuked and punished, while those who actively invested their talents are rewarded. This parable serves as a metaphor for the Christian life, urging believers to use their God-given gifts and opportunities wisely.

The Apostle Paul also speaks against indolence in his epistles. In 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 , he writes, "For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat. Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies. We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living." Paul emphasizes the importance of work and self-sufficiency, condemning those who choose idleness over productivity.

Spiritual Implications

Indolence is not merely a physical or economic issue but also a spiritual one. It can lead to a lack of spiritual growth and a weakening of one's relationship with God. Hebrews 6:12 encourages believers, "Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." This verse calls for active faith and perseverance, warning against spiritual laziness.

The Bible's teachings on indolence serve as a reminder of the value of diligence, both in earthly endeavors and in one's spiritual journey. Believers are called to be vigilant, industrious, and faithful stewards of the time and resources God has entrusted to them.(n.) Laziness; sloth; inactivity; inaction, or want of exertion of body or mind, proceeding from love of ease or aversion to toil; habitual idleness; indisposition to labor.5124. numah -- somnolence, indolence
... 5123, 5124. numah. 5125 . somnolence, indolence. Transliteration: numah
Phonetic Spelling: (noo-maw') Short Definition: drowsiness. ...
/hebrew/5124.htm - 6k

6103. atslah -- sluggishness
... sluggishness. Transliteration: atslah Phonetic Spelling: (ats-law') Short Definition:
indolence. ... Feminine of atsel; (as abstractly) indolence -- slothfulness. ...
/hebrew/6103.htm - 6k

6104. atsluth -- sluggishness
... Word Origin from atsel Definition sluggishness NASB Word Usage idleness (1). idleness.
Rom atsal; indolence -- idleness. see HEBREW atsal. 6103, 6104. ...
/hebrew/6104.htm - 6k

Letter i. Behavior and Manners.
... Selfishness was the main cause of her ill-treatment of her brothers and sisters,
as it was of her indolence, and her indifference to the performance of her ...
/.../letter i behavior and manners.htm

Instruction ii
... foolish thoughts during the seven Hours and in my prayers, when I ought to have
occupied myself with good thoughts, but which have been spoilt by my indolence. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/instruction ii.htm

To Certain Holy Hermits who had Been Invited to Rome by the Pope
... Her letters were a thrilling call to the champions of Christ, to cast off timidity
and indolence, and betake them swiftly to the field where difficulties and ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to certain holy hermits who.htm

To Nicholas of Osimo
... dedicated to public affairs. Catherine's keen analysis leaves Nicholas
of Osimo no excuse for indolence. Her letter, especially ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to nicholas of osimo.htm

Ephesians iv. 31, 32
... Unless one might indeed say this, that the very not doing good is a part of wickedness,
inasmuch as it comes of indolence, and indolence is a part of vice, or ...
/.../homily xvi ephesians iv 31.htm

Philippians ii. 16-Dec
... But if, when the devil does not lie in the way, where indolence is the only obstacle,
so much of fear is necessary merely in order that we may master that ...
/.../homily viii philippians ii 16-dec.htm

Of Zeal and Diligence
... Whosoever has received this living zeal from God has cast out the fifth mortal sin,
which is indolence of the mind or Sloth, as regards the virtues which it is ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xx of zeal and.htm

Letter Xlviii. (AD 398. )
... guard against accepting it, on the one hand, with too eager elation of spirit, or
declining it, on the other, under the solicitations of indolence; and obey ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xlviii a d 398.htm

Philippians iv. 14-Oct
... He showeth also, that it was from indolence all this had happened to them. ...
It came not; saith he, of indolence, but of necessity. ...
/.../homily xv philippians iv 14-oct.htm

Hebrews xi. 13-16
... and bright day has come, and are not ashamed to indulge in pleasure, and to make
the season of business and activity a time of slumber and indolence, so truly ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxiv hebrews xi 13-16.htm

Indolence (1 Occurrence)
... toil; habitual idleness; indisposition to labor. Multi-Version Concordance
Indolence (1 Occurrence). Ecclesiastes 10:18 When no work ...
/i/indolence.htm - 6k

Idleness (4 Occurrences)
... According to the Yahwistic narrative Pharaoh's retort to the complaints of
the Israelites was a charge of indolence (Exodus 5:8, 17). ...
/i/idleness.htm - 9k

Idle (33 Occurrences)
... According to the Yahwistic narrative Pharaoh's retort to the complaints of
the Israelites was a charge of indolence (Exodus 5:8, 17). ...
/i/idle.htm - 18k

Undo (9 Occurrences)
... as in reputation, morals, hopes, or the like; as, many are undone by unavoidable
losses, but more undo themselves by vices and dissipation, or by indolence. ...
/u/undo.htm - 9k

Individual's (2 Occurrences)

/i/individual's.htm - 7k

Indolent (3 Occurrences)

/i/indolent.htm - 7k

Rouse (25 Occurrences)
... 10. (vi) To awake from sleep or repose. 11. (vi) To be exited to thought or action
from a state of indolence or inattention. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/r/rouse.htm - 14k

Poverty (25 Occurrences)
... poverty. Gluttony brings poverty (Proverbs 23:21), as does indolence (Proverbs
28:19). God commanded His people to care for the poor. ...
/p/poverty.htm - 21k

Surrender (18 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To yield to any influence, emotion, passion, or power; -- used reflexively;
as, to surrender one's self to grief, to despair, to indolence, or to sleep ...
/s/surrender.htm - 13k

Begging (18 Occurrences)
... down upon is incidentally evidenced by the remark of the unjust steward, "To beg
I am ashamed" (Luke 16:3); and that, when associated with indolence, it was ...
/b/begging.htm - 18k

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