In the context of biblical teachings, negligence is often understood as a failure to fulfill one's duties or responsibilities, particularly in relation to God's commandments and the care of others. The Bible addresses the concept of negligence in various forms, emphasizing the importance of diligence, responsibility, and accountability.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament provides several examples and teachings related to negligence. In the book of Proverbs, wisdom literature frequently contrasts diligence with negligence. Proverbs 10:4 states, "Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." This verse highlights the consequences of negligence in one's work and the benefits of diligence.

In the context of leadership and stewardship, negligence is condemned. The prophet Ezekiel speaks against the negligent shepherds of Israel who failed to care for their flock. Ezekiel 34:2-4 says, "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost." This passage underscores the responsibility of leaders to care for those under their charge and the consequences of neglecting this duty.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, negligence is addressed in the context of spiritual vigilance and preparedness. Jesus' parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 serves as a warning against spiritual negligence. The five foolish virgins were negligent in preparing for the bridegroom's arrival, resulting in their exclusion from the wedding feast. This parable illustrates the importance of being spiritually prepared and attentive.

The Apostle Paul also speaks to the issue of negligence in his letters. In 1 Timothy 4:14 , Paul advises Timothy, "Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the elders." Here, Paul emphasizes the importance of actively cultivating and using one's spiritual gifts rather than neglecting them.

Moral and Ethical Implications

Negligence in the Bible is often associated with moral and ethical implications. It is seen as a failure to act in accordance with God's will and to fulfill one's responsibilities to others. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 further illustrates this point. The servant who buried his talent out of fear and negligence was rebuked by his master for failing to invest and grow what was entrusted to him.

The Bible encourages believers to be diligent in their faith and actions. Hebrews 6:11-12 exhorts, "We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that your hope may be fully assured. Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." This passage calls for perseverance and diligence in the Christian life, warning against the dangers of spiritual negligence.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not use the term "negligent" frequently, the concept is woven throughout its teachings. Believers are called to be diligent stewards of their time, talents, and responsibilities, both in their personal lives and in their service to God and others. Negligence, therefore, is seen as a failure to live up to these divine expectations, with both temporal and eternal consequences.(a.) Careless; heedless; culpably careless; showing lack of attention; as, disposed in negligent order.272. ameleo -- to be careless
... make light of, neglect, show no regard. From a (as a negative particle) and melo;
to be careless of -- make light of, neglect, be negligent, no regard. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/272.htm - 7k7952. shalah -- deceive, be negligent
... 7951, 7952. shalah. 7953 . deceive, be negligent. Transliteration: shalah Phonetic
Spelling: (shaw-law') Short Definition: deceive. ... deceive, be negligent ...
/hebrew/7952.htm - 5k

7951. shalah -- to be quiet or at ease
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be quiet or at ease NASB Word Usage deceive
(1), ease (2), negligent (1), prosper (3). be happy, prosper, be in safety. ...
/hebrew/7951.htm - 6k

7423b. remiyyah -- laxness, slackness
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition laxness, slackness NASB Word Usage idle
(1), lazy man (1), negligent (1), negligently (1), slack (1). ...
/hebrew/7423b.htm - 5k

7960. shalu -- neglect, remissness
... Word Origin (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to shalah Definition neglect,
remissness NASB Word Usage fail (1), negligence (1), negligent (1), offensive (1 ...
/hebrew/7960.htm - 6k

Whether Negligence is Opposed to Prudence?
... Etym. x) "a negligent man is one who fails to choose [nec eligens]": and
the right choice of the means belongs to prudence. Therefore ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether negligence is opposed to.htm

A Third Motive to Resolution is the Danger of Tepidity...
... once begun, and a strong proof of the extreme necessity thereof, is the consideration
of the extreme danger and miseries unexpressible of a negligent and tepid ...
/.../chapter v a third motive.htm

The Christian is to Walk Circumspectly.
... how soon they allow that resolution to weaken and become as negligent as ever. ...
Time after time he resolved and as often became negligent. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/the christian is to walk.htm

Of the Examination of Conscience, and Purpose of Amendment
... of concupiscence, so unguarded in thine outward senses, so often entangled in many
vain fancies, so much inclined to outward things, so negligent of internal ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter vii of the examination.htm

On Magistracy
... take care that they perform their duty " to require an account of their ministry "
to admonish and incite those among them who are negligent " to bestow ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on magistracy.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... You resent as a foul reproach being called negligent of the precept, "Thou shalt
not kill," or "Thou shall not commit adultery." And if you showed the same ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Parable of the Talents (Matt. , xxv. , 14-30) Compared with that ...
... In the parable of the pounds, the one pound is taken away from the negligent servant
and given to him that gained most; in harmony with the scope of the parable ...
/.../section 257 parable of the.htm

By the Very Right of Your Senses You Enjoy the World
... your hands the true Treasures? If you be negligent in prizing these, you
will be negligent in prizing all. For there is a disease ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/21 by the very right.htm

Epistle xxvi. To Anthemius, Subdeacon.
... It has reached our ears that our brother and fellow-bishop Paschasius [214] is so
idle and negligent in all ways that he is in no respect recognised as bishop ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxvi to anthemius subdeacon.htm

Epistle xxvii. To Anthemius, Subdeacon.
... Seeing, then, that it has been reported to us that the bishops of Campania are so
negligent that, unmindful of the dignity and character of their office ...
/.../epistle xxvii to anthemius subdeacon.htm

Negligent (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Careless; heedless; culpably careless; showing lack
of attention; as, disposed in negligent order. ...Negligent (7 Occurrences). ...
/n/negligent.htm - 8k

Negligently (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a negligent manner. Multi-Version
Concordance Negligently (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 48:10 Cursed ...
/n/negligently.htm - 6k

Negligence (2 Occurrences)

/n/negligence.htm - 7k

Undress (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To take the dressing, or covering, from; as, to undress a wound. 4. (n.)
A loose, negligent dress; ordinary dress, as distinguished from full dress. ...
/u/undress.htm - 7k

Overly (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Careless; negligent; inattentive; superficial;
not thorough. 2. (a.) Excessive; too much. 3. (adv.) In an overly manner. ...
/o/overly.htm - 6k

Lame (35 Occurrences)
... The offering of animals so blemished was one of the sins with which Malachi
charges the negligent Jews of his time (Malachi 1:8-13). ...
/l/lame.htm - 21k

Incense-burners (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Chronicles 29:11 My sons, be not now negligent; for Jehovah has chosen you to
stand before him, to do service unto him, and to be his ministers and incense ...
/i/incense-burners.htm - 6k

Intend (30 Occurrences)
... (WEB). 2 Peter 1:12 Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you of these things,
though you know them, and are established in the present truth. (See RSV). ...
/i/intend.htm - 18k

Industrious (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Steadily and perseveringly active in a particular pursuit or aim; as, he
was negligent in business, but industrious in pleasure; an industrious ...
/i/industrious.htm - 7k

Imposition (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 4:14 Be not negligent of the gift that is in thee, which has been given
to thee through prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the elderhood. ...
/i/imposition.htm - 11k

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