Definition and Nature:
Sloth, often referred to as laziness or idleness, is a reluctance to work or make an effort. In a biblical context, sloth is considered a sin because it reflects a failure to fulfill one's duties and responsibilities, both to God and to others. It is often associated with a lack of diligence and a neglect of spiritual and earthly obligations.

Biblical References:
The Bible addresses the issue of sloth in various passages, emphasizing the importance of diligence and the dangers of laziness. In the Book of Proverbs, sloth is frequently contrasted with the virtues of hard work and industriousness. Proverbs 6:6-11 advises, "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer; she gathers her food at harvest. 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."

Proverbs 19:15 further warns, "Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger." This highlights the consequences of sloth, which can lead to poverty and unmet needs.

Spiritual Implications:
Sloth is not merely a physical or economic issue but also a spiritual one. It can lead to spiritual stagnation and a lack of growth in one's relationship with God. In the New Testament, Jesus' parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) illustrates the expectation of using one's gifts and resources wisely. The servant who buried his talent out of fear and laziness was rebuked as "wicked and lazy" (Matthew 25:26).

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of sloth in his letters. 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."

Moral and Ethical Considerations:
From a moral and ethical standpoint, sloth is seen as a failure to love and serve others. It is a neglect of the command to love one's neighbor as oneself (Mark 12:31). By failing to contribute to the well-being of the community and the church, a slothful person falls short of the biblical call to stewardship and service.

Remedies and Encouragement:
The Bible encourages believers to overcome sloth through diligence and perseverance. Hebrews 6:11-12 exhorts, "We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that your hope may be fully assured. Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised."

Believers are called to be "zealous for good works" (Titus 2:14) and to "work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" (Colossians 3:23). By focusing on serving God and others, Christians can combat the temptation of sloth and live lives that are fruitful and pleasing to the Lord.Proverbs 19:15
Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Topicalbible.org

Proverbs 12:24
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Topicalbible.org

1. (n.) Slowness; tardiness.

2. (n.) Disinclination to action or labor; sluggishness; laziness; idleness.

3. (n.) Any one of several species of arboreal edentates constituting the family Bradypodidae, and the suborder Tardigrada. They have long limbs and long prehensile claws. Both jaws are furnished with teeth (see Illust. of Edentata), and the ears and tail are rudimentary. They inhabit South and Central America and Mexico.

4. (v. i.) To be idle.

Whether Sloth is a Sin?
... OF SLOTH (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether sloth is a sin? Objection 1: It would
seem that sloth is not a sin. For we are neither praised ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether sloth is a sin.htm

Whether Sloth is a Mortal Sin?
... OF SLOTH (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether sloth is a mortal sin? Objection 1: It
would seem that sloth is not a mortal sin. For every mortal ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether sloth is a mortal.htm

Whether Sloth is a Special vice?
... OF SLOTH (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether sloth is a special vice? Objection 1:
It would seem that sloth is not a special vice. For that ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether sloth is a special.htm

Whether Despair Arises from Sloth?
... OF DESPAIR (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether despair arises from sloth? Objection
1: It would seem that despair does not arise from sloth. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether despair arises from sloth.htm

Of Sloth
... PART FOUR. HERE BEGIN THE CHAPTERS OF CERTAIN INSTRUCTIONS AND NOTABLE
SAYINGS OF BROTHER GILES CHAPTER VI OF SLOTH. The slothful ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter vi of sloth.htm

Of Sloth (Four Articles)
... OF SLOTH (FOUR ARTICLES). ... This joy is either about the Divine good, and then its
contrary is sloth, or about our neighbor's good, and then its contrary is envy. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of sloth four articles .htm

Whether Sloth Should be Accounted a Capital vice?
... OF SLOTH (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether sloth should be accounted a capital vice? Objection
1: It would seem that sloth ought not to be accounted a capital vice. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sloth should be accounted.htm

Complaining of Spiritual Sloth.
... Hymns. Book 2. Composed on Divine Subjects. Hymn 2:25. Complaining of spiritual
sloth. 1 My drowsy powers, why sleep ye so? Awake, my sluggish soul! ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 2 25 complaining of spiritual.htm

That Evil Comes of Sloth, and virtue from Diligence, and that ...
... Homily III. That evil comes of sloth, and virtue from diligence, and that neither
wicked men, nor the devil himself, are able to do the wary man any harm. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily iii that evil comes.htm

Complaining of Spiritual Sloth.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 25 Complaining of spiritual sloth. CM Complaining of spiritual
sloth. My drowsy powers, why sleep ye so? Awake, my sluggish soul! ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 25 complaining of spiritual.htm

Sloth (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sloth (3 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 31:27 She 'is' watching
the ways of her household, And bread of sloth she eateth not. (YLT). ...
/s/sloth.htm - 7k

Ai (32 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) The three-toed sloth (Bradypus tridactylus) of
South America. See Sloth. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AI. ...
/a/ai.htm - 21k

Slothful (22 Occurrences)

/s/slothful.htm - 12k

Usury (17 Occurrences)
... numerous among the Jews in Christ's day, and, in the parable of the Talents, He
represents the lord of the unprofitable servant as rebuking the sloth in the ...
/u/usury.htm - 15k

Indulge (12 Occurrences)
... restrain. 2. (vt) to give free course to; to give one's self up to; as, to
indulge sloth, pride, selfishness, or inclinations; 3. (vt ...
/i/indulge.htm - 10k

Industry (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Habitual diligence in any employment or pursuit, either bodily or mental;
steady attention to business; assiduity; -- opposed to sloth and idleness; as ...
/i/industry.htm - 8k

Indolence (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Laziness; sloth; inactivity; inaction, or want of
exertion of body or mind, proceeding from love of ease or aversion to toil ...
/i/indolence.htm - 6k

Indolent (3 Occurrences)
... work is brother of the destroyer. (DBY). Proverbs 19:15 Sloth causeth deep
sleep to fall, And an indolent soul doth hunger. (YLT). ...
/i/indolent.htm - 7k

Framework (6 Occurrences)
... BBE). Ecclesiastes 10:18 By much sloth fulness the framework falleth in;
and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth. (DBY). ...
/f/framework.htm - 8k

Drippeth (1 Occurrence)
... Drippeth (1 Occurrence). Ecclesiastes 10:18 By much sloth fulness the framework
falleth in; and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth. (DBY). ...
/d/drippeth.htm - 6k

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Sloth: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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