Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of being "busy" is often associated with diligence, industriousness, and the wise use of time. However, it can also carry a cautionary note against becoming overly preoccupied with worldly matters at the expense of spiritual growth and devotion to God.
Biblical References:1.
Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42): One of the most illustrative accounts of busyness in the Bible is the account of Martha and Mary. Martha is described as being "distracted by all the preparations to be made" (
Luke 10:40), while her sister Mary sits at Jesus' feet, listening to His teaching. Jesus gently rebukes Martha, saying, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her" (
Luke 10:41-42). This passage highlights the importance of prioritizing spiritual nourishment over the busyness of daily tasks.
2.
Diligence and Work (Proverbs 6:6-11): The Bible commends diligence and hard work, as seen in the exhortation to consider the ant: "Go to the ant, O sluggard; observe her ways and be wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food at harvest" (
Proverbs 6:6-8). This passage encourages believers to be industrious and proactive, using their time wisely to provide for themselves and their families.
3.
The Vanity of Busyness (Ecclesiastes 2:22-23): The book of Ecclesiastes offers a sobering reflection on the futility of excessive labor and busyness: "For what does a man get for all the toil and striving with which he labors under the sun? Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile" (
Ecclesiastes 2:22-23). This passage serves as a reminder that earthly endeavors, when pursued for their own sake, can lead to emptiness and dissatisfaction.
4.
Rest and Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-10): The concept of rest is integral to the biblical understanding of work and busyness. The commandment to observe the Sabbath is a divine mandate to cease from labor and focus on spiritual renewal: "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" (
Exodus 20:8-10). This underscores the importance of balancing work with rest and worship.
5.
Jesus’ Example (Mark 1:35): Jesus Himself provides a model for balancing busyness with spiritual priorities. Despite His demanding ministry, He often withdrew to solitary places to pray: "Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray" (
Mark 1:35). This demonstrates the necessity of setting aside time for communion with God amidst the busyness of life.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, busyness is not inherently negative. It becomes problematic when it distracts from one's relationship with God or leads to neglect of spiritual duties. The Bible encourages believers to be diligent and productive, yet it also calls for a balance that prioritizes spiritual well-being and rest. The life of a Christian should reflect a rhythm of work and rest that honors God and fosters spiritual growth.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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 busy merchant.
2. (a.) Constantly at work; diligent; active.
3. (a.) Crowded with business or activities; -- said of places and times; as, a busy street.
4. (a.) Officious; meddling; foolish active.
5. (a.) Careful; anxious.
6. (v. t.) To make or keep busy; to employ; to engage or keep engaged; to occupy; as, to busy one's self with books.
Greek
4231. pragmateuomai -- tobusy oneself... to
busy oneself. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pragmateuomai Phonetic Spelling:
(prag-mat-yoo'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I transact business, trade
...4021. periergos -- overly careful, curious, meddling, subst. a...
... Phonetic Spelling: (per-ee'-er-gos) Short Definition: a busybody, curious, magical
Definition: of persons: over-careful; curious, meddling, abusy-body; of...
390. anastrepho -- to overturn, turn back
... From ana and strepho; to overturn; also to return; by implication, tobusy oneself,
ie Remain, live -- abide, behave self, have conversation, live, overthrow...
3696. hoplon -- a tool, implement, weapon
... Probably from a primary hepo (to bebusy about); an implement or utensil or tool
(literally or figuratively, especially, offensive for war) -- armour...
4453. poleo -- to exchange or barter, to sell
... sell, whatever is sold. Probably ultimately from pelomai (to bebusy, to trade);
to barter (as a pedlar), ie To sell -- sell, whatever is sold....
Strong's Hebrew
6213. asah -- do, make... broadest sense and widest application (as follows) -- accomplish, advance, appoint,
apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be
busy, X certainly
...6213a. asah -- do, make
... 1), bring (4), bring it about (1), bring about (1), bring forth (1), brought (1),
brought about (4), brought forth (1), build* (1), built (3),busy (1), cared...
Library
ABusy Week
... Chapter 12. Wesley's Letter to an Editor; Impositions and Declarations;
the Speaking Statue; Wesley's Pentecost ABusy Week. Monday...
Of those who Having Made Light of Great ThingsBusy Themselves...
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XXI. Of those who having
made light of great thingsbusy themselves about trifles....
"I was Delivered from the Enemy by the virtue of Christ's Passion"
... jangling, [286] as if it had been of two persons; and both, to my thinking, jangled
at one time as if they had holden a parliament with a greatbusy-ness; and...
Of the Stink of Lechery and the Peril of Touching: and of the...
... Whiles a man weds not for pure love of God and virtue and chastity, but isbusy
to live in chastity and in array of all virtue, doubtless he gets to himself a...
Work
... IT has sometimes happened, even in thesebusy days, that there are dreamy people
who would hail such words as these with a joy that springs, however little...
The Teaching of the Boisterous and Untaught, Desiring to Love: and...
... They burn in the love of Christ; they study after heavenly sights; they are ever
busy, as much as in them is, with good works; they overflow with the likings...
Of True Meekness and Adversity: and of the Example of the Saints...
... Nevertheless thou that forsakest the world and artbusy to follow Christ in poverty,
bebusy to know thyself; for truly if thou forsakest the deeds and desires...
That a True Lover Despises Worldly Things and Desires Heavenly...
... Therefore thou oughtest to gainstand them that arebusy to destroy those
things"that is to say virtues"that Christ desires....
Two views of Life
... the misery of man was great upon him.' To his jaundiced eye the effort of life appeared
like the play of the wind in the desert, alwaysbusy, but sometimebusy...
By the Sea of Galilee - the Final Call of the First Disciples, and...
... unknown. Close by, on either side of the city, the country was studded with
villages and towns, abusy, thriving, happy multitude....
Thesaurus
Busy (13 Occurrences)... 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
busy merchant.
...Busy-bodies (2 Occurrences)
Busy-bodies. Busybodies,Busy-bodies. Busybody . Multi-Version
ConcordanceBusy-bodies (2 Occurrences). 2 Thessalonians...
Ever-busy (1 Occurrence)
Ever-busy. Ever-burning, Ever-busy. Ever-changing . Multi-Version
Concordance Ever-busy (1 Occurrence). James 3:8 But...
Busy-body (1 Occurrence)
Busy-body. Busybody,Busy-body. But . Multi-Version Concordance
Busy-body (1 Occurrence). 1 Peter 4:15 But let none...
Busybody (3 Occurrences)
Uproar (33 Occurrences)
... Acts 24:18 While I wasbusy about these, they found me in the Temple purified, with
no crowd around me and no uproar; but there were certain Jews from the...
Occupy (25 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To possess or use the time or capacity of; to engage the service of; to
employ; tobusy. 4. (vt) To do business in; tobusy one's self with....
Bustles (1 Occurrence)
... Bustles (1 Occurrence). Psalms 39:6 "Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely
theybusy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn't know who shall gather....
But (42052 Occurrences)
Canon
... (b) Gnostics, Marcion: While the Apologists werebusy commending or defending
Christianity, heresy in the form of Gnosticism was also compelling attention to...
Resources
What does the Bible say about busyness / being too busy? | GotQuestions.orgShould all mothers be stay-at-home moms? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I know God's will for my life? What does the Bible say about knowing God's will? | GotQuestions.orgBusy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
