The concept of "slowly" in the Bible often relates to the idea of patience, deliberation, and the divine timing of God. While the term "slowly" itself may not frequently appear in the text, the principles associated with slowness are evident throughout Scripture.

Divine Patience and Timing

God's timing is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing that His plans unfold according to His perfect schedule, not human impatience. In 2 Peter 3:9 , it is written, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." This passage highlights that what may seem slow to humans is actually an expression of God's patience and mercy.

Human Patience and Wisdom

The Bible encourages believers to adopt a posture of patience and wisdom, often associated with moving slowly and deliberately. Proverbs 19:2 warns, "Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark." This proverb suggests that haste can lead to mistakes, while a slow, thoughtful approach aligns with wisdom.

Examples of Slow Progress

Several biblical narratives illustrate the concept of slow progress as part of God's plan. The Israelites' journey through the wilderness, which took forty years, is a prime example. This period was a time of testing, growth, and reliance on God, as described in Deuteronomy 8:2 : "Remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments."

Spiritual Growth and Maturity

Spiritual growth is often depicted as a gradual process. In Hebrews 5:12-14 , the author addresses the need for believers to mature in their faith, moving from "milk" to "solid food." This metaphor suggests that spiritual maturity does not happen overnight but requires time and perseverance.

God's Wrath and Mercy

The Bible also speaks of God being "slow to anger," a phrase that underscores His merciful nature. In Psalm 103:8 , it is declared, "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion." This characteristic of God serves as a model for believers to emulate in their interactions with others.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the Bible encourages believers to be "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger" (James 1:19). This advice promotes a lifestyle of careful consideration and restraint, reflecting the wisdom of moving slowly in speech and reaction.

Overall, the biblical perspective on "slowly" encompasses themes of patience, divine timing, and the gradual nature of spiritual growth, urging believers to trust in God's perfect plan and to cultivate a patient, deliberate approach to life.(adv.) In a slow manner; moderately; not rapidly; not early; not rashly; not ready; tardily.1020. braduploeo -- to sail slowly
... to sail slowly. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: braduploeo Phonetic Spelling:
(brad-oo-plo-eh'-o) Short Definition: I sail slowly Definition: I sail slowly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1020.htm - 6k

5217. hupago -- to lead or bring under, to lead on slowly, to ...
... to lead or bring under, to lead on slowly, to depart. Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: hupago Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-ag'-o) Short Definition: I go away ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5217.htm - 8k

3950. parorgismos -- irritation
... 3950 ("slowly built-up provocation") is only used in Eph 4:26. See 3949 (). Word
Origin from parorgizo Definition irritation NASB Word Usage anger (1). wrath. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3950.htm - 7k

3901. pararreo -- to flow by, hence slip away
... 3901 (" drift away") means to "lapse" into spiritual defeat, describing
how we slowly move away from our moorings in Christ. Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3901.htm - 7k

5188. tupho -- to raise smoke
... smoke. Apparently a primary verb; to make a smoke, ie Slowly consume without flame --
smoke. (tuphomenon) -- 1 Occurrence. 5187, 5188. tupho. 5189 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5188.htm - 6k

1718. dadah -- perhaps to move slowly
... 1717, 1718. dadah. 1719 . perhaps to move slowly. Transliteration: dadah Phonetic
Spelling: (daw-daw') Short Definition: procession. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/1718.htm - 5k

1680. dabab -- to move gently, glide, glide over
... cause to speak. A primitive root (compare dobe'); to move slowly, ie Glide -- cause
to speak. see HEBREW dobe'. 1679, 1680. dabab. 1681 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1680.htm - 6k

7033. qalah -- to roast, parch
... A primitive root (rather identical with qalah through the idea of shrinkage by heat);
to toast, ie Scorch partially or slowly -- dried, loathsome, parch, roast ...
/hebrew/7033.htm - 6k

As He Thus Spoke, Slowly and with an Exquisite Softness...
... XVI. As he thus spoke, slowly and with an exquisite softness? As he thus
spoke, slowly and with an exquisite softness, something ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/xvi as he thus spoke.htm

While Vergilius, Going Slowly, was Thinking of These Things...
... CHAPTER 7 While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things?
While Vergilius ... fan. "Now, say it again, all, slowly.". She ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 7 while vergilius going.htm

The Common Conception among the Dregs of Darwinian Culture is that ...
... Chapter 15 The common conception among the dregs of Darwinian culture is
that men have slowly worked? The common conception among ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 15 the common conception.htm

David the Shepherd Youth.
... The watchers on the walls of Bethlehem saw Samuel, while he was yet a long way off,
riding slowly up the rough path, with his servant driving a cow before him ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/david the shepherd youth.htm

There are Certain Moments in Life which Seem Weighted with the ...
... "It is regrettable, my lord Cardinal," he said slowly, keeping his dark eyes immovably
fixed on the venerable Felix,""that I should be compelled to send for ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxviii there are certain moments.htm

"For Hereunto were Ye Called; Because Christ Also Suffered for You ...
... He had been interrupted several times and was growing nervous as the morning wore
away, and the sermon grew very slowly toward a satisfactory finish. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter one for hereunto were.htm

Chapter twenty-seven
... "You can take your hands down, sir." The man lowered his weapon slowly, still keeping
an eye on the other man, and speaking with rough respect. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-seven.htm

How the Appointment was Kept.
... A little knot of women make their way slowly along the road leading out
of the city gate. ... Peter plods slowly along, thinking hard. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/how the appointment was kept.htm

The Story of David
... Only an old feeble man was slowly climbing up towards the town. ... [Illustration:
An old feeble man was slowly climbing up towards the town.]. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/david the shepherd boy/the story of david.htm

The Festival of Games, in Honor of Augustus, were About to Begin ...
... Slowly each circumference began to move. ... Slowly they about to die came forth
and stood in even rank and bowed low before the king. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 24 the festival of.htm

Slowly (7 Occurrences)
...Slowly (7 Occurrences). ... Genesis 8:3 And the waters went slowly back from the earth,
and at the end of a hundred and fifty days the waters were lower. (BBE). ...
/s/slowly.htm - 8k

Crawl (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To move slowly by drawing the body along the
ground, as a worm; to move slowly on hands and knees; to creep. ...
/c/crawl.htm - 8k

Slow (43 Occurrences)
... arts and sciences. 8. (superl.) Heavy in wit; not alert, prompt, or spirited;
wearisome; dull. 9. (adv.) Slowly. 10. (vt) To render ...
/s/slow.htm - 21k

Forge (2 Occurrences)
... 9. (vt) To move heavily and slowly, as a ship after the sails are furled; to work
one's way, as one ship in outsailing another; -- used especially in the ...
/f/forge.htm - 9k

Toll (8 Occurrences)
... allure. See Tole. 3. (vt) To cause to sound, as a bell, with strokes slowly
and uniformly repeated; as, to toll the funeral bell. 4 ...
/t/toll.htm - 11k

Drag (19 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To draw slowly or heavily onward; to pull along the ground by main force;
to haul; to trail; -- applied to drawing heavy or resisting bodies or those ...
/d/drag.htm - 14k

Nile (37 Occurrences)
... river was very much shortened. Later in the Pluvial times the land rose
again and is still rising slowly. 3. The Making of Egypt ...
/n/nile.htm - 29k

Jordan (188 Occurrences)
... above tide, and is slowly contracting its size by reason of the accumulation of
the decaying vegetation of the surrounding morass, and of the sediment brought ...
/j/jordan.htm - 70k

Botany
... Firstly, whereas the deep roots of trees and shrubs support the soil even on hillsides
of considerable slope, and slowly but surely cause the disintegration of ...
/b/botany.htm - 38k

Canon
... as they were written came into the possession of the Christian associations which
began to be formed soon after the day of Pentecost; and thus slowly the canon ...
/c/canon.htm - 68k

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