What Does the Bible Say About Leisure?

Mark 6:31 ESV / 27 helpful votes

And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

Ecclesiastes 3:13 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 15 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,

John 3:16-17 ESV / 14 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Zechariah 8:5 ESV / 14 helpful votes

And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.

Ecclesiastes 9:9 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.

Exodus 20:10 ESV / 13 helpful votes

But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV / 12 helpful votes

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17 ESV / 10 helpful votes

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Philippians 4:4 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 10 helpful votes

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Leviticus 23:3 ESV / 10 helpful votes

“Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the Lord in all your dwelling places.

Genesis 2:2 ESV / 10 helpful votes

And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.

Luke 1:37 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Isaiah 40:31 ESV / 9 helpful votes

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ...

Psalm 46:10 ESV / 9 helpful votes

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

1 Timothy 6:17 ESV / 8 helpful votes

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

Colossians 4:5 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 8 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Romans 13:11-14 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Mark 2:27 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

Exodus 20:11 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Exodus 20:8-11 ESV / 8 helpful votes

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Exodus 20:8 ESV / 8 helpful votes

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Genesis 2:24 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Genesis 2:3 ESV / 8 helpful votes

So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

Revelation 11:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

Galatians 6:9-10 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

John 3:4 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”

Mark 6:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?

Matthew 6:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ...

Psalm 90:12 ESV / 7 helpful votes

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Genesis 1:28 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Revelation 12:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. ...

Ephesians 6:12 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 2:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes

In which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

Ephesians 1:10 ESV / 6 helpful votes

As a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Galatians 4:4 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

Acts 1:8 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

John 17:4 ESV / 6 helpful votes

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.

Mark 1:15 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Psalm 139:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Psalm 62:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes

To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.

Psalm 31:14-15 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!

Leviticus 23:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the Lord that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are my appointed feasts.

Philippians 4:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

1 Corinthians 7:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.

1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,

Romans 12:1 ESV / 2 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.

56 Bible Verses about Leisure

Mark 6:31 ESV / 27 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 3:13 ESV / 26 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Zechariah 8:5 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 9:9 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 20:10 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:17 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:4 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 23:3 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:2 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 1:37 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 40:31 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 46:10 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 6:17 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 4:5 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 13:11-14 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:28 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 2:27 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 20:11 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 20:8-11 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 20:8 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:24 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:3 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 11:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 6:9-10 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:4 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 6:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 90:12 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 1:28 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 12:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:12 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 1:10 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 4:4 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 1:8 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 17:4 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 1:15 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 139:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 62:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 31:14-15 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 23:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 7:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 4:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

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