What Does the Bible Say About Boredom?

Proverbs 19:15 ESV / 112 helpful votes

Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 ESV / 93 helpful votes

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV / 89 helpful votes

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 78 helpful votes

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV / 77 helpful votes

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV / 71 helpful votes

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Colossians 3:23 ESV / 51 helpful votes

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV / 45 helpful votes

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV / 34 helpful votes

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Proverbs 13:4 ESV / 33 helpful votes

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

John 10:10 ESV / 25 helpful votes

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

James 1:2-4 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

1 Timothy 6:6 ESV / 22 helpful votes

But godliness with contentment is great gain,

Philippians 4:12 ESV / 22 helpful votes

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

Galatians 6:8 ESV / 20 helpful votes

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Psalm 34:18 ESV / 20 helpful votes

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

James 4:15 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Colossians 4:2 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5:18 ESV / 17 helpful votes

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

1 John 3:16 ESV / 15 helpful votes

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

Acts 17:16 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.

Micah 6:8 ESV / 14 helpful votes

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Ecclesiastes 3:11-13 ESV / 14 helpful votes

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.

1 Timothy 6:7-8 ESV / 13 helpful votes

For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

1 Timothy 5:13 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.

Philippians 1:21 ESV / 13 helpful votes

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:19 ESV / 11 helpful votes

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV / 10 helpful votes

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Colossians 2:1-23 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. ...

Romans 12:1-2 ESV / 9 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 8 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ...

Romans 15:13 ESV / 8 helpful votes

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Hebrews 13:1-25 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ...

Ecclesiastes 1:8 ESV / 7 helpful votes

All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

Acts 20:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 1:1-66:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. ...

38 Bible Verses about Boredom

Proverbs 19:15 ESV / 112 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 ESV / 93 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV / 89 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 78 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV / 77 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV / 71 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:23 ESV / 51 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV / 45 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV / 34 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:4 ESV / 33 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 10:10 ESV / 25 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:2-4 ESV / 24 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 6:6 ESV / 22 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:12 ESV / 22 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 6:8 ESV / 20 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 34:18 ESV / 20 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:15 ESV / 19 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 4:2 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:18 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 3:16 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 17:16 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Micah 6:8 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 3:11-13 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 6:7-8 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:13 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 1:21 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:19 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 2:1-23 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:1-2 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 15:13 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:1-25 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 1:8 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 20:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 1:1-66:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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