Definition and Context:
Retirement, in contemporary terms, refers to the period in a person's life when they cease full-time work, often due to age. The concept of retirement as understood today is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, the Scriptures provide principles and examples that can guide believers in understanding work, rest, and the later stages of life.

Biblical Principles on Work and Rest:
The Bible emphasizes the value of work and diligence. In Genesis 2:15, God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it, establishing work as a fundamental aspect of human life. Proverbs 6:6-8 encourages diligence, using the ant as an example of industriousness and preparation for the future: "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest."

While work is important, the Bible also acknowledges the need for rest. The concept of the Sabbath, introduced in Genesis 2:2-3 and reiterated in Exodus 20:8-11, underscores the importance of rest as a divine principle. This rhythm of work and rest can be seen as a precursor to the idea of retirement, where one transitions from labor to a period of rest and reflection.

Old Testament Examples:
The Levites provide a notable example related to retirement. Numbers 8:24-26 outlines that Levites were to serve from the age of 25 to 50. After 50, they were to retire from regular service but could assist their brothers in the tent of meeting. This suggests a transition from active duty to a supportive role, recognizing the value of experience and wisdom in later years.

New Testament Insights:
The New Testament does not directly address retirement but offers principles on stewardship and the use of time. Ephesians 5:15-16 advises believers to "be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." This encourages a purposeful use of time, whether in work or retirement.

Paul's life exemplifies continued service regardless of age. In Philippians 3:13-14, he speaks of pressing on toward the goal, indicating a lifelong commitment to his calling. This suggests that while formal work may cease, the call to serve God and others remains.

Stewardship and Provision:
The Bible encourages wise financial stewardship, which can relate to preparing for retirement. Proverbs 13:22 states, "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children," highlighting the importance of planning for the future. Additionally, 1 Timothy 5:8 emphasizes providing for one's family, which can include planning for retirement to avoid being a burden.

Role of the Elderly in the Church:
Scripture values the wisdom and experience of older individuals. Titus 2:2-5 instructs older men and women to be examples and mentors to the younger generation. This highlights the ongoing role of the elderly in teaching and guiding within the community of faith, regardless of their work status.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not explicitly mention retirement, it provides principles on work, rest, stewardship, and the value of the elderly. Believers are encouraged to view retirement as a season for continued service, mentorship, and purposeful living in accordance with God's will.Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
Topicalbible.org

1. (n.) The act of retiring, or the state of being retired; withdrawal; seclusion; as, the retirement of an officer.

2. (n.) A place of seclusion or privacy; a place to which one withdraws or retreats; a private abode.

402. anachoreo -- to go back, withdraw
... retire, depart, withdraw Definition: I return, retire, withdraw, depart (underlying
idea perhaps of taking refuge from danger or of going into retirement). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/402.htm - 7k

5009. tameion -- an inner chamber
... or magazine, ie A chamber on the ground-floor or interior of an Oriental house
(generally used for storage or privacy, a spot for retirement) -- secret chamber ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5009.htm - 6k

7729. shubah -- retirement, withdrawal
... 7728, 7729. shubah. 7730 . retirement, withdrawal. Transliteration: shubah
Phonetic Spelling: (shoo-baw') Short Definition: repentance. ...
/hebrew/7729.htm - 6k

Retirement.
... IV. COMFORT. Hymn 45 Retirement. William Cowper 8,6,8,6. Retirement. Far
from the world, O Lord, I flee,. From strife and tumult far; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 45 retirement.htm

Retirement
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CXIX RETIREMENT. Fresh fields and woods!
the Earth's fair face! GOD's footstool! and man's dwelling-place! ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cxix retirement.htm

Retirement and Meditation.
... rhyme in the first and third lines of the stanza. Hymn 2:122. Retirement
and meditation. 1 My God, permit me not to be A stranger ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 168055556 retirement and meditation.htm

Religious Retirement.
... DEVOUT EXERCISES. 463. " Religious Retirement. 463. CM Cowper. Religious
Retirement. 1 Far from the world, O Lord! I flee, From ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/463 religious retirement.htm

Retirement after Chalcedon, and Death.
... VI."Retirement after Chalcedon, and Death. Some doubt hangs over the question
whether after his vindication at Chalcedon Theodoret ...
/.../vi retirement after chalcedon and death.htm

Retirement and Meditation.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 122 Retirement and meditation. LM Retirement and meditation.
My God, permit me not to be. A stranger to myself and thee; ...
/.../the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 122 retirement and meditation.htm

Retirement of Athanasius, and Tyranny of Gregory and Philagrius.
... Section 5. Retirement of Athanasius, and tyranny of Gregory and Philagrius.
When all this was done, they did not stop even here; but ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 5 retirement of athanasius.htm

How Useless is the Retirement of those who do not Give up their ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XVI. How useless is the retirement of those who do
not give up their bad manners. Sometimes when we have been ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvi how useless is.htm

CM Cowper. Retirement.
... 94. CM Cowper. Retirement. 1 Far from the world, O Lord! I flee, From strife and
tumult far; From scenes where sin is waging still Its most successful war. ...
/.../book of hymns for public and private devotion/94 c m cowper retirement.htm

Ep. Clii. On his Retirement from Constantinople Gregory had at the ...
... Division III. Miscellaneous Letters. Ep. CLII. On his retirement from
Constantinople Gregory had at the request of the Bishops of the? ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep clii on his retirement.htm

Retirement (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) The act of retiring, or the state of being retired; withdrawal; seclusion;
as, the retirement of an officer. ...Retirement (1 Occurrence). ...
/r/retirement.htm - 7k

Retiring (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (a.) of or pertaining to retirement; causing retirement; suited to, or belonging
to, retirement. Multi-Version Concordance Retiring (1 Occurrence). ...
/r/retiring.htm - 7k

Elijah (104 Occurrences)
... During all these two years a famine prevailed in the land. At the close of this
period of retirement and of preparation for his work (Comp. ...
/e/elijah.htm - 71k

Gethsemane (2 Occurrences)
... near the city, and so close to what must have always been the great thoroughfare
eastward, that our Lord would scarcely have selected it for retirement on that ...
/g/gethsemane.htm - 11k

Closet (3 Occurrences)
... As used in the New Testament, signifies properly a storehouse (Luke 12:24), and
hence a place of privacy and retirement (Matthew 6:6; Luke 12:3). ...
/c/closet.htm - 9k

Prayers (99 Occurrences)
... Matthew 14:23 narrates the retirement of the Lord to a "mountain apart to pray."
No word of what the prayer was is given, but the record is suggestive. ...
/p/prayers.htm - 51k

Gardens (14 Occurrences)
... On account of their retirement they were frequently used as places for secret prayer
and communion with God (Genesis 24:63; Matthew 26:30-36; John 1:48; 18:1, 2 ...
/g/gardens.htm - 12k

Felix (11 Occurrences)
... The case dragged on for two years till Felix, upon his retirement, "desiring
to gain favor with the Jews. left Paul in bonds" (Acts 24:27). ...
/f/felix.htm - 15k

Festus (14 Occurrences)
... of Judea (Acts 24:27), and was thus brought into prominence in the dispute between
Paul and the Sanhedrin which continued after the retirement of Felix (Acts 25 ...
/f/festus.htm - 15k

Forth (1639 Occurrences)
... 2. (adv.) Out, as from a state of concealment, retirement, confinement, nondevelopment,
or the like; out into notice or view; as, the plants in spring put ...
/f/forth.htm - 36k

What does the Bible say about saving for retirement? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Christian view of retirement? | GotQuestions.org

If getting married would cause financial issues due to government regulations, is it acceptable for a couple to have a spiritual marriage, but not a legal marriage? | GotQuestions.org

Retirement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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