What Does the Bible Say About Laziness?
What Does the Bible Say About Laziness? The Bible strongly warns against laziness, calling it a path to poverty and want, and urges believers to be diligent and productive.
Key verse: Proverbs 6:6 (KJV)
The Bible strongly warns against laziness, calling it a path to poverty and want, and urges believers to be diligent and productive.
The Bible strongly warns against laziness, calling it a path to poverty and want, and urges believers to be diligent and productive.
"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise." — Proverbs 6:6 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Proverbs is particularly pointed about laziness, using the figure of the 'sluggard' repeatedly. The sluggard won't plow in season (Proverbs 20:4), makes excuses (Proverbs 22:13), is told to learn from the ant's industriousness (Proverbs 6:6-8), and his laziness leads to poverty (Proverbs 24:33-34). Paul addressed laziness in the Thessalonian church, commanding busybodies to work quietly and earn their own bread (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12). Ecclesiastes warns that through slothfulness the building decays (Ecclesiastes 10:18). While the Bible also teaches rest and Sabbath, it draws a clear line between godly rest and sinful laziness. Diligence, not idle living, is the pattern God sets for His people.
Key Scripture References
"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise."
"The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat."
"For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies."
Frequently asked questions
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Related Questions
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What Does the Bible Say About Discipline?
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Biblical forgiveness means releasing bitterness and choosing not to hold someone's offense against them — just as God in Christ forgave us.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Proverbs. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Proverbs on day 159 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Laziness?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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