Explain Bible

What does the Bible say about having fun?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that wholesome enjoyment is a good gift from God, to be received with gratitude, gladness, and self-control for his glory. Ecclesiastes commends enjoying food, work, and the good things God provides, while remembering that every season is appointed by him. Proverbs says a cheerful heart is good medicine, and Zechariah pictures children happily playing in a restored community. Yet biblical joy is not selfish indulgence or escape from God’s rule. Ecclesiastes 11:9 calls the young to rejoice while remembering God’s judgment, and 1 Corinthians 10:31 directs all we do, including recreation, toward God’s glory. Christians may enjoy laughter, beauty, play, and fellowship as faithful stewards of God’s gifts.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Ecclesiastes 2:24

    There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.

  • Proverbs 15:13

    A glad heart makes a cheerful face; But an aching heart breaks the spirit.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:13

    Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.

  • Ecclesiastes 8:15

    Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be joyful: for that will accompany him in his labor all the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

    [1] For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: [2] A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck up that which is planted; [3] A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; [4] A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; [5] A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; [6] A time to seek, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to cast away; [7] A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; [8] A time to love, And a time to hate; A time for war, And a time for peace.

  • Proverbs 17:22

    A cheerful heart makes good medicine, But a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

  • Ecclesiastes 11:9

    Rejoice, young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, And walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:31

    Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

  • Zechariah 8:5

    The streets of the city will be full of boys and girls playing in its streets."

  • Psalms 149:3

    Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!

Related topics

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about having fun and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about having fun