Topical Encyclopedia
Diligence is a virtue highly esteemed in the Bible, often associated with hard work, perseverance, and careful attention to one's duties. It is a quality that reflects a commitment to excellence and a steadfast pursuit of goals, both spiritual and temporal. The concept of diligence is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing its importance in the life of a believer.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, diligence is frequently linked to wisdom and prosperity. Proverbs, a book rich in practical wisdom, highlights the value of diligence in several passages.
Proverbs 10:4 states, "Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." This verse underscores the principle that hard work and careful attention to one's responsibilities lead to material and spiritual blessings.
Proverbs 12:24 further illustrates this point: "The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor." Here, diligence is contrasted with laziness, suggesting that those who are diligent will rise to positions of leadership and influence, while the lazy will find themselves in subservient roles.
The account of Joseph in Genesis is a powerful example of diligence. Despite facing numerous hardships, Joseph remained diligent in his work, whether as a slave in Potiphar's house or as a prisoner in Egypt. His diligence and faithfulness ultimately led to his rise as a powerful leader in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh (
Genesis 41:39-41).
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, diligence is often associated with spiritual growth and the pursuit of godliness. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently exhorts believers to be diligent in their faith. In
Romans 12:11, Paul writes, "Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." This verse encourages believers to maintain their enthusiasm and commitment in serving God, highlighting the importance of diligence in spiritual matters.
The Apostle Peter also emphasizes diligence in the Christian life. In
2 Peter 1:5-7, he instructs believers to "make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." This passage outlines a progression of spiritual growth that requires diligent effort and intentionality.
Diligence in Ministry and ServiceDiligence is crucial in ministry and service to others. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, encourages believers to work diligently as if serving the Lord: "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men" (
Colossians 3:23). This instruction reminds Christians that their work, whether secular or sacred, should be done with excellence and dedication, as an offering to God.
In
1 Timothy 4:15, Paul advises Timothy to "Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all." This counsel highlights the importance of diligence in personal development and ministry, ensuring that one's growth and effectiveness are visible to others.
ConclusionDiligence is a key attribute for believers, encompassing both practical and spiritual dimensions. It is a quality that leads to success, growth, and fulfillment in one's personal life and in service to God and others. Through diligence, believers can reflect the character of Christ and fulfill their God-given purposes.
Topical Bible Verses
2 Timothy 2:15Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Topicalbible.org2 Peter 3:14
Why, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
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2 Peter 1:5
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
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2 Peter 1:10
Why the rather, brothers, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall:
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Hebrews 6:11
And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end:
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Proverbs 22:29
See you a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
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Proverbs 10:4
He becomes poor that deals with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
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Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Carefulness; careful attention; -- the opposite of negligence.
2. (n.) Interested and persevering application; devoted and painstaking effort to accomplish what is undertaken; assiduity in service.
3. (n.) Process by which persons, lands, or effects are seized for debt; process for enforcing the attendance of witnesses or the production of writings.
4. (n.) A four-wheeled public stagecoach, used in France.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DILIGENCE; DILIGENT; DILIGENTLYdil'-i-jens, dil'-i-jent-li: This word is used in various senses in our English Bibles.
1. In the Old Testament:
InEzra 5:8, "with diligence" means "with care"; inEzra 6:12;Ezra 7:17, "with speed," "speedily"; inProverbs 4:23 "watchfulness"; inDeuteronomy 4:9;Deuteronomy 6:17;Deuteronomy 19:18Psalm 77:6Proverbs 27:23Isaiah 55:2Micah 7:3, "with care," "scrupulously," "earnestly." Sometimes it means "early" "with haste" (Job 8:5Proverbs 8:17). It may mean "industrious," "exacting" (Proverbs 10:4;Proverbs 12:27;Proverbs 22:29).
2. In the New Testament:
The American revisers have rendered "diligence" for various words in the King James Version, e.g. for "business" inRomans 12:11; "giving diligence" for "endeavoring" (Ephesians 4:3); "give diligence" for "study" (2 Timothy 2:15,), for "labor" (Hebrews 4:11); "diligently" for "carefully" (Philippians 2:28Hebrews 12:17); "be diligent in" for "meditate upon" (1 Timothy 4:15). It is well also to remember that the Old English meaning of diligence is "with love," from diligo, "to love."
G. H. Geberding
Greek
4710. spoude -- haste,diligence... haste,
diligence. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: spoude Phonetic
Spelling: (spoo-day') Short Definition: haste,
diligence Definition: (a) speed
...4704. spoudazo -- to make haste, hence to givediligence
... to make haste, hence to givediligence. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: spoudazo
Phonetic Spelling: (spoo-dad'-zo) Short Definition: I hasten Definition...
2039. ergasia -- work (noun)
... craft,diligence, gain, work. From ergates; occupation; by implication, profit,
pains -- craft,diligence, gain, work. see GREEK ergates....
1830. exeraunao -- to search out
... 1830 (from 1537 , "wholly out from," intensifying 2045 , "search") -- properly,
search with alldiligence (effort); "" ( in an (inquiring after ); to...
199. akribos -- with exactness
... ["The verb is formed from , 'at the point' or 'end.' The idea is, therefore, he '';
denoting of the information rather than thediligence of the search for it...
Strong's Hebrew
629. osparna -- thoroughly, with (all)diligence... 628, 629. osparna. 630 . thoroughly, with (all)
diligence. Transliteration:
osparna Phonetic Spelling: (os-par-naw') Short Definition:
diligence.
...4929. mishmar -- place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch...
... from shamar Definition place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch, observance
NASB Word Usage confinement (4), custody (2),diligence (1), division (2...
2742a. charuts -- sharp, diligent
... Word Origin pass. part. of charats Definition sharp, diligent NASB Word Usagediligence
(1), diligent (4), sharp (2), threshing sledge (2). 2742, 2742a....
Library
Diligence.
...DILIGENCE.... Since the termdiligence is so frequently used in Scripture and such emphasis
placed upon it, it is well worth our time to learn its meaning....
The Power ofDiligence
... II. PETER THE POWER OFDILIGENCE. 'Giving alldiligence, add to your faith
...'"2 Peter 1:5. It seems to me very like Peter that...
Of Zeal andDiligence
... OF ZEAL ANDDILIGENCE. Out of this generosity there spring a supernatural
zeal anddiligence in all virtues and all that is seemly....
Diligence in Study.
... Book III. Chapter XXXI."Diligence in Study. But on the following day, Peter,
as usual, rising before dawn, found us already awake...
Book vi.Diligence in Study.
... Book VI. Chapter I."Book VI.Diligence in Study. But as soon as day began
to advance the dawn upon the retiring darkness, Peter...
"Giving allDiligence. "
... Homily XI. Chapter II.""Giving AllDiligence.". "Inasmuch as, by
long-continued neglect on your part, to your own injury, your...
Fragment v. Nor Will theDiligence and Care of that Servant be...
... Fragment V. Nor will thediligence and care of that servant be less who
has the custody? Nor will thediligence and care of that...
That He who is About to Communicate with Christ Ought to Prepare...
... THE FOURTH BOOK. OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR CHAPTER XII That he who is about
to Communicate with Christ ought to prepare himself with greatdiligence....
Because Some are Wise, Nothing Prevents Others from Being So...
... Chapter XVI."Because Some are Wise, Nothing Prevents Others from Being So; Virtue
is to Be Acquired byDiligence and Study; By a Sounder Philosophy Men are...
The Flight of Time an Incentive to ReligiousDiligence.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCXXII. The Flight of Time an incentive to ReligiousDiligence....
James Montgomery. The Flight of Time an incentive to ReligiousDiligence....
Thesaurus
Diligence (31 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
DILIGENCE; DILIGENT; DILIGENTLY. dil'-i-jens,
dil'-i-jent-li: This word is used in various senses in our English Bibles.
...Diligent (33 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.DILIGENCE; DILIGENT; DILIGENTLY. dil'-i-jens,
dil'-i-jent-li: This word is used in various senses in our English Bibles....
Diligently (85 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.DILIGENCE; DILIGENT; DILIGENTLY. dil'-i-jens,
dil'-i-jent-li: This word is used in various senses in our English Bibles....
Decree (82 Occurrences)
... the Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of
the tribute beyond the River, expenses be given with alldiligence to these...
Using (88 Occurrences)
... troubled about you. (BBE). Ephesians 4:3 usingdiligence to keep the unity of
the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace. (DBY). Ephesians 5...
Negligence (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Lack of duediligence or care; omission
of duty; habitual neglect; heedlessness. 2. (n.) An act...
Trans-euphrates (12 Occurrences)
... the Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of
the tribute beyond the River, expenses be given with alldiligence to these...
Endeavor (3 Occurrences)
... Thus the Revised Version (British and American) reads "givingdiligence," "give
diligence," for the King James Version "endeavoring," "endeavor," in Ephesians 4...
Business (147 Occurrences)
... the stage manager in rehearsal. 7. (n.) Care; anxiety;diligence. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. BUSINESS. biz'-nes: Is the rendering...
Province (66 Occurrences)
... of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber
is laid in the walls; and this work goes on withdiligence and prospers...
Resources
What does the Bible say about diligence? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the spiritual gift of leadership? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about laziness? | GotQuestions.orgDiligence: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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