What does the Bible say about diligence?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that diligence is a faithful, persevering labor that flows from trust in God and serves both our calling and our neighbor. Proverbs 13:4 and Proverbs 10:4 contrast the fruitful diligence of the wise with the emptiness of sloth, while Proverbs 12:24 and Proverbs 22:29 commend skillful, responsible work. Ecclesiastes 9:10 calls us to do with our strength what God has placed before us. Yet Christian diligence is not self-salvation: Galatians 6:9 and 1 Corinthians 15:58 encourage steadfast service because our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Believers are also to be diligent in Scripture, holiness, and assurance, as 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Peter 1:10, and 2 Peter 3:14 teach.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, But the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
- Proverbs 10:4
He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, But the hand of the diligent brings wealth.
- Galatians 6:9
Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up.
- Proverbs 12:24
The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, But laziness ends in slave labor.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord's work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
- Proverbs 22:29
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings; He won't serve obscure men.
- 2 Peter 1:10
Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.
- 2 Peter 3:14
Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without blemish and blameless in his sight.
- 2 Timothy 2:15
Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.
- Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- Jesus an example of Mark 1:35; Luke 2:49
- Required by God in seeking him 1 Chronicles 22:19; Hebrews 11:6
- Obeying him Deuteronomy 6:17; Deuteronomy 11:13
- Listening to him Isaiah 55:2
- Striving after perfection Philippians 3:13; Philippians 3:14
- Cultivating proper behaviors of a true Christian 2 Peter 1:5
- Keeping the soul Deuteronomy 4:9
- Keeping the heart Proverbs 4:23
- Labors of love Hebrews 6:10-12
- Following every good work 1 Timothy 3:10
- Guarding against defilement Hebrews 12:15
- Seeking to be found spotless 2 Peter 3:14
- Making our calling sure 2 Peter 1:10
- Self-examination Psalms 77:6
- Lawful business Proverbs 27:23; Ecclesiastes 9:10
- Preserving “the faith” through teaching 2 Timothy 4:2; Jude 1:3
- Instructing children Deuteronomy 6:7; Deuteronomy 11:19
- Discharging official duties Deuteronomy 19:18
- Saints should abound in 2 Corinthians 8:7
- Required in the service of God John 9:4; Galatians 6:9
- Is not in vain 1 Corinthians 15:58
- Preserves from evil Exodus 15:26
- Leads to assured hope Hebrews 6:11
- God rewards Deuteronomy 11:14; Hebrews 11:6
- In temporal matters leads to favor Proverbs 11:27
- Prosperity Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 13:4
- Honor Proverbs 12:24; Proverbs 22:29
- FIGURATIVE Proverbs 6:6-8
- Exemplified Ruth Ruth 2:17
- Hezekiah 2 Chronicles 31:21
- Nehemiah and his helpers Nehemiah 4:6
- Psalmist Psalms 119:60
- Apostles Acts 5:42
- Apollos Acts 18:25
- Titus 2 Corinthians 8:22
- Paul 1 Thessalonians 2:9
- Onesiphorus 2 Timothy 1:17
- See INDUSTRY
- See ZEAL
- See IDLENESS
Showing the first 40 headings of this outline.
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Christ, an example Mark 1:35; Luke 2:49
- Required by God in
- Seeking him 1 Chronicles 22:19; Hebrews 11:6
- Obeying him Deuteronomy 6:17; Deuteronomy 11:13
- Hearkening to him Isaiah 55:2
- Striving after perfection Philippians 3:13; Philippians 3:14
- Cultivating Christian graces 2 Peter 1:5
- Keeping the souls Deuteronomy 4:9
- Keeping the heart Proverbs 4:23
- Labours of love Hebrews 6:10-12
- Following every good work 1 Timothy 5:10
- Guarding against defilement Hebrews 12:15
- Seeking to be found spotless 2 Peter 3:14
- Making our call, &c, sure 2 Peter 1:10
- Self-examination Psalms 77:6
- Lawful business Proverbs 27:23; Ecclesiastes 9:10
- Teaching religion 2 Timothy 4:2; Jude 1:3
- Instructing children Deuteronomy 11:19
- Discharging official duties Deuteronomy 19:18
- Saints should abound in 2 Corinthians 8:7
- In the service of God
- Should be preserved in Galatians 6:9
- Is not in vain 1 Corinthians 15:58
- Preserves from evil Exodus 15:26
- Leads to assured hope Hebrews 6:11
- God rewards Deuteronomy 11:14; Hebrews 11:6
- In temporal matters, leads to
- Favour Proverbs 11:27
- Prosperity Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 13:4
- Honour Proverbs 12:24; Proverbs 22:29
- Illustrated Proverbs 6:6-8
- Exemplified
- Jacob Genesis 31:40
- Ruth Ruth 2:17
- Hezekiah 2 Chronicles 31:21
- Nehemiah, &c Nehemiah 4:6
- Psalmist Psalms 119:60
- Apostles Acts 5:42
- Apollos Acts 18:25
- Titus 2 Corinthians 8:22
Showing the first 40 headings of this outline.
See also
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