Definition and Context
Leisure, in the biblical context, refers to time free from work or duties, allowing for rest, reflection, and recreation. The concept of leisure is intertwined with the biblical principles of rest and Sabbath, emphasizing the importance of balancing work with periods of rest and spiritual renewal.

Biblical Foundations
The Bible introduces the concept of rest in the creation narrative. Genesis 2:2-3 states, "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished." This passage establishes a divine pattern for work and rest, underscoring the sanctity of leisure as a time set apart by God.

Sabbath and Rest
The Sabbath is a central theme in the Bible concerning leisure. Exodus 20:8-10 commands, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God." The Sabbath is not merely a cessation of labor but a time dedicated to worship, reflection, and community, highlighting the spiritual dimension of leisure.

Jesus and Leisure
Jesus exemplified the balance between work and leisure. In Mark 6:31 , Jesus said to His disciples, "Come with Me privately to a solitary place, and let us rest for a while." This invitation reflects the necessity of withdrawing from the demands of ministry to recharge physically and spiritually. Jesus often retreated to solitary places to pray, demonstrating the importance of solitude and reflection as components of leisure.

Leisure and Wisdom Literature
The wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly Ecclesiastes, offers insights into the role of leisure. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 states, "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." This passage acknowledges the cyclical nature of life, where leisure and joy are integral parts of the human experience.

Warnings Against Idleness
While leisure is valued, the Bible warns against idleness and laziness. Proverbs 6:10-11 cautions, "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." Leisure should not devolve into slothfulness but should be purposeful and rejuvenating.

Leisure in the Early Church
The early Christian community understood leisure as an opportunity for fellowship and spiritual growth. Acts 2:46-47 describes the believers as "continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people." Leisure was a time for communal worship and joy, strengthening the bonds of faith and community.

Conclusion
The biblical perspective on leisure emphasizes its role in maintaining a balanced life, fostering spiritual growth, and building community. It is a gift from God, intended for rest, reflection, and renewal, while cautioning against the dangers of idleness.1. (n.) Freedom from occupation or business; spare time; time free from employment.

2. (n.) Time at one's command, free from engagement; convenient opportunity; hence, convenience; ease.

3. (a.) Unemployed; as, leisure hours.

4981. schole -- leisure, hence disputation (that for which leisure ...
... 4980, 4981. schole. 4982 . leisure, hence disputation (that for which leisure
is used), by ext. school. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4981.htm - 6k

4980. scholazo -- to be at leisure, hence to devote oneself to
... to be at leisure, hence to devote oneself to. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
scholazo Phonetic Spelling: (skhol-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I have leisure ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4980.htm - 6k

2119. eukaireo -- to have opportunity
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: eukaireo Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-kahee-reh'-
o) Short Definition: I have a good opportunity, have leisure Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2119.htm - 6k

328. at -- gentleness
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition gentleness NASB Word Usage despondently
(1), gently (3), leisure (1). charmer, gently, secret, softly. ...
/hebrew/328.htm - 6k

Letter i. My Dear Friend, I Employed the Compelled and Most ...
... LETTERS ON THE INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES. LETTER I. My dear friend, I employed
the compelled and most unwelcome leisure of severe indisposition in? ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/letter i my dear friend.htm

The Wisdom of Business and the Wisdom of Leisure
... ESSAYS vi The Wisdom of Business and the Wisdom of Leisure. The wisdom of
the scribe cometh by opportunity of leisure; and he that ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/vi the wisdom of business.htm

John i. 14
... How can they, when they have leisure for what is said as a bywork, [251]
and only in this place, and for this short time? If any ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xi john i 14.htm

We are Taught by David and Solomon How to Take Counsel with Our ...
... The writer proves what glorious things the holy prophets accomplished in their time
of quiet, and shows, by examples of their and others' leisure moments, that ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter i we are taught.htm

John Chapter xiii. 10-Jun (Continued), and Song of Sol. v. 2, 3
... sit down quietly to listen? My leisure is not laid out in nourishing
slothfulness, but in acquiring wisdom. "I sleep, and my heart ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lvii john chapter xiii.htm

Testimonies from the Apostle Concerning the Spirit of Accidie.
... nor covet another man's goods, he now adds and says, "and work with your own hands,
as we charged you." For he has clearly shown that leisure the reason why ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter vii testimonies from the.htm

On the Trinity. Book i. When I was Seeking an Employment Adequate ...
... And especially that which now, as always in the past, is regarded as most to
be desired, leisure combined with wealth, came before my mind. ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/on the trinity book i.htm

The Second Miracle
... It is the revelation, first of all, of Christ's singular calmness and majestic leisure,
which befitted Him who needed not to hurry, because He was conscious of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the second miracle.htm

Letter xiii. (AD 389. )
... I see that the one would not suit you, and that for the other I have no
leisure. For, since I left you, neither opportunity nor ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xiii a d 389.htm

Of the Dress and Habits of the Christian People.
... The charm of leisure must not be indolent vacancy of mind, but the investigation
or discovery of truth, that thus every man may make solid attainments without ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 19 of the dress and.htm

Leisure (3 Occurrences)
... hence, convenience; ease. 3. (a.) Unemployed; as, leisure hours.
Multi-Version Concordance Leisure (3 Occurrences). Mark 6:31 ...
/l/leisure.htm - 7k

Vacancy (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The quality or state of being vacant; emptiness; hence, freedom from
employment; intermission; leisure; idleness; listlessness. ...
/v/vacancy.htm - 7k

Leisurely (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Characterized by leisure; taking abundant
time; not hurried; as, a leisurely manner; a leisurely walk. ...
/l/leisurely.htm - 6k

Lehi (5 Occurrences)

/l/lehi.htm - 8k

Newer (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 17:21 and all Athenians, and the strangers sojourning, for nothing else were
at leisure but to say something, and to hear some newer thing. (WBS). ...
/n/newer.htm - 6k

Lonely (14 Occurrences)
... Mark 6:31 He said to them, "You come apart into a deserted place, and rest awhile."
For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to ...
/l/lonely.htm - 10k

Find (1784 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To gain, as the object of desire or effort; as, to find leisure; to
find means. 7. (vt) To attain to; to arrive at; to acquire. ...
/f/find.htm - 8k

Repose (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Rest after motion or work; relaxation;
leisure. 2. (v.) To lay at rest; to cause to be calm or ...
/r/repose.htm - 9k

Deserted (54 Occurrences)
... Mark 6:31 He said to them, "You come apart into a deserted place, and rest awhile."
For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to ...
/d/deserted.htm - 22k

Busy (13 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Engaged in some business; hard at work (either habitually or only for the
time being); occupied with serious affairs; not idle nor at leisure; as, a ...
/b/busy.htm - 10k

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