Topical Bible: Diligence

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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 References

In 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 References

In 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 Service

Diligence 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.

Conclusion

Diligence 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 2:15
Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Topicalbible.org

2 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.
Topicalbible.org

2 Peter 1:5
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
Topicalbible.org

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:
Topicalbible.org

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:
Topicalbible.org

Proverbs 22:29
See you a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
Topicalbible.org

Proverbs 10:4
He becomes poor that deals with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
Topicalbible.org

Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Topicalbible.org

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; DILIGENTLY

dil'-i-jens, dil'-i-jent-li: This word is used in various senses in our English Bibles.

1. In the Old Testament:

In Ezra 5:8, "with diligence" means "with care"; in Ezra 6:12; Ezra 7:17, "with speed," "speedily"; in Proverbs 4:23 "watchfulness"; in Deuteronomy 4:9; Deuteronomy 6:17; Deuteronomy 19:18 Psalm 77:6 Proverbs 27:23 Isaiah 55:2 Micah 7:3, "with care," "scrupulously," "earnestly." Sometimes it means "early" "with haste" (Job 8:5 Proverbs 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" in Romans 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 2:28 Hebrews 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 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4710.htm - 7k

4704. spoudazo -- to make haste, hence to give diligence
... to make haste, hence to give diligence. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: spoudazo
Phonetic Spelling: (spoo-dad'-zo) Short Definition: I hasten Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4704.htm - 7k

2039. ergasia -- work (noun)
... craft, diligence, gain, work. From ergates; occupation; by implication, profit,
pains -- craft, diligence, gain, work. see GREEK ergates. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2039.htm - 6k

1830. exeraunao -- to search out
... 1830 (from 1537 , "wholly out from," intensifying 2045 , "search") -- properly,
search with all diligence (effort); "" ( in an (inquiring after ); to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1830.htm - 7k

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 the diligence of the search for it ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/199.htm - 7k

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. ...
/hebrew/629.htm - 6k

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 ...
/hebrew/4929.htm - 6k

2742a. charuts -- sharp, diligent
... Word Origin pass. part. of charats Definition sharp, diligent NASB Word Usage diligence
(1), diligent (4), sharp (2), threshing sledge (2). 2742, 2742a. ...
/hebrew/2742a.htm - 5k

Library

Diligence.
... DILIGENCE. ... Since the term diligence is so frequently used in Scripture and such emphasis
placed upon it, it is well worth our time to learn its meaning. ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/diligence.htm

The Power of Diligence
... II. PETER THE POWER OF DILIGENCE. 'Giving all diligence, add to your faith
...'"2 Peter 1:5. It seems to me very like Peter that ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the power of diligence.htm

Of Zeal and Diligence
... OF ZEAL AND DILIGENCE. Out of this generosity there spring a supernatural
zeal and diligence in all virtues and all that is seemly. ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xx of zeal and.htm

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 ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxxi diligence in study.htm

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 ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter i book vi diligence in.htm

"Giving all Diligence. "
... Homily XI. Chapter II.""Giving All Diligence.". "Inasmuch as, by
long-continued neglect on your part, to your own injury, your ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter ii giving all diligence.htm

Fragment v. Nor Will the Diligence and Care of that Servant be ...
... Fragment V. Nor will the diligence and care of that servant be less who
has the custody? Nor will the diligence and care of that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/theonas/epistle of phileas/fragment v nor will the.htm

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 great diligence. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xii that he who.htm

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 by Diligence and Study; By a Sounder Philosophy Men are ...
/.../alexander/of the manichaeans/chapter xvi because some are wise.htm

The Flight of Time an Incentive to Religious Diligence.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCXXII. The Flight of Time an incentive to Religious Diligence. ...
James Montgomery. The Flight of Time an incentive to Religious Diligence. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn ccxxii the flight of.htm

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. ...
/d/diligence.htm - 18k

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. ...
/d/diligent.htm - 18k

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. ...
/d/diligently.htm - 34k

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 all diligence to these ...
/d/decree.htm - 34k

Using (88 Occurrences)
... troubled about you. (BBE). Ephesians 4:3 using diligence to keep the unity of
the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace. (DBY). Ephesians 5 ...
/u/using.htm - 31k

Negligence (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Lack of due diligence or care; omission
of duty; habitual neglect; heedlessness. 2. (n.) An act ...
/n/negligence.htm - 7k

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 all diligence to these ...
/t/trans-euphrates.htm - 9k

Endeavor (3 Occurrences)
... Thus the Revised Version (British and American) reads "giving diligence," "give
diligence," for the King James Version "endeavoring," "endeavor," in Ephesians 4 ...
/e/endeavor.htm - 8k

Business (147 Occurrences)
... the stage manager in rehearsal. 7. (n.) Care; anxiety; diligence. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. BUSINESS. biz'-nes: Is the rendering ...
/b/business.htm - 42k

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 with diligence and prospers ...
/p/province.htm - 38k

Resources

What does the Bible say about diligence? | GotQuestions.org

What is the spiritual gift of leadership? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about laziness? | GotQuestions.org

Diligence: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Diligence (31 Occurrences)

Luke 12:58
When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
(KJV ASV WBS YLT)

Romans 12:8
or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Romans 12:11
not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
(WEB ASV YLT NAS)

2 Corinthians 7:11
For, behold, this same thing, your being grieved according to God, how much diligence it wrought in you, but what excusing of yourselves, but what indignation, but what fear, but what ardent desire, but what zeal, but what vengeance: in every way ye have proved yourselves to be pure in the matter.
(DBY YLT)

2 Corinthians 7:12
If, then, I also wrote to you -- not for his cause who did wrong, nor for his cause who did suffer wrong, but for our diligence in your behalf being manifested unto you before God --
(YLT)

2 Corinthians 8:7
Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

2 Corinthians 8:8
not according to command do I speak, but because of the diligence of others, and of your love proving the genuineness,
(YLT)

2 Corinthians 8:16
And thanks to God, who is putting the same diligence for you in the heart of Titus,
(YLT)

Ephesians 4:3
giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(ASV DBY)

1 Thessalonians 2:17
But we, brethren, having been bereaved of you and separated for a little moment in person, not in heart, have used more abundant diligence to see your face with much desire;
(DBY)

2 Timothy 2:15
Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.
(WEB ASV)

2 Timothy 4:9
Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
(KJV ASV DBY WBS)

2 Timothy 4:21
Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS)

Titus 3:12
When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, give diligence to come unto me to Nicopolis: for there I have determined to winter.
(ASV DBY)

Hebrews 4:11
Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.
(WEB ASV DBY)

Hebrews 6:11
We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

2 Peter 1:5
Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

2 Peter 1:10
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
(KJV ASV DBY WBS)

2 Peter 1:15
Yea, I will give diligence that at every time ye may be able after my decease to call these things to remembrance.
(ASV DBY)

2 Peter 3:14
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, give diligence that ye may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight.
(ASV)

Jude 1:3
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 32:17
but we ourselves will go with diligence armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them to their place; and our little ones shall dwell in the strong cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
(DBY)

Ezra 5:8
Be it known to the king, that we went into the province 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 with diligence and prospers in their hands.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NIV)

Ezra 6:12
and the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who shall put forth their hand to alter the same, to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with all diligence.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Ezra 6:13
Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and their companions, because that Darius the king had sent, did accordingly with all diligence.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Ezra 7:17
therefore you shall with all diligence buy with this money bulls, rams, lambs, with their meal offerings and their drink offerings, and shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
(WEB JPS ASV RSV)

Ezra 7:21
I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done with all diligence,
(WEB JPS ASV RSV NIV)

Ezra 7:23
all that 'is' by the decree of the God of heaven, let be done diligently for the house of the God of heaven; for why is there wrath against the kingdom of the king and his sons?
(See NIV)

Ezra 7:26
Whoever will not do the law of your God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed on him with all diligence, whether it be to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
(WEB JPS ASV)

Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS)

Proverbs 12:27
The slothful man shall not hunt his prey; but the precious substance of men is to be diligent.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Diligence

Diligence in Temporal Matters Leads to Favor

Diligence in Temporal Matters, Leads to Favour

Diligence in Temporal Matters, Leads to Honor

Diligence in Temporal Matters, Leads to Prosperity

Diligence in the Service of God is not in Vain

Diligence in the Service of God: Leads to Assured Hope

Diligence in the Service of God: Preserves from Evil

Diligence in the Service of God: should be Preserved In