Tardiness, the act of being late or delayed, is a concept that, while not explicitly named in the Bible, is addressed through principles of time management, diligence, and stewardship. The Scriptures emphasize the importance of being prompt and diligent in our duties, reflecting a life of discipline and respect for others.

Biblical Principles Related to Tardiness

1. Diligence and Promptness: The Bible frequently contrasts diligence with laziness, encouraging believers to be prompt and industrious. Proverbs 6:6-8 advises, "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 at harvest." This passage highlights the value of foresight and timely action.

2. Redeeming the Time: Ephesians 5:15-16 instructs, "Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." This exhortation calls believers to make the most of their time, suggesting that tardiness can be a form of poor stewardship of the time God has given.

3. Faithfulness in Stewardship: Jesus' parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 underscores the importance of being faithful and timely in our responsibilities. The servants who promptly invested their talents were commended, while the one who delayed and did nothing was rebuked.

4. Respect for Others: Tardiness can also reflect a lack of consideration for others' time. Philippians 2:3-4 encourages believers, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Being on time is a practical way to honor and respect others.

5. The Example of Christ: Jesus exemplified a life of purpose and timely action. In John 9:4 , He said, "While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work." Jesus recognized the urgency of His mission and acted accordingly, setting an example for His followers.

Consequences of Tardiness

The Bible warns of the negative consequences of laziness and delay. Proverbs 10:4 states, "Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." Tardiness can lead to missed opportunities, strained relationships, and a poor testimony to others.

Encouragement for Overcoming Tardiness

Believers are encouraged to seek God's wisdom and strength in overcoming tardiness. James 1:5 promises, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." Through prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit, Christians can cultivate habits of punctuality and diligence.

In summary, while the Bible does not specifically mention tardiness, it provides ample guidance on the virtues of diligence, stewardship, and respect for others, all of which are compromised by habitual lateness.Colossians 3:23
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men;
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Luke 16:10
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
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Ephesians 4:1
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation with which you are called,
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1022. bradutes -- slowness
... slowness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: bradutes Phonetic Spelling:
(brad-oo'-tace) Short Definition: tardiness, slowness Definition: tardiness ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1022.htm - 6k

Other Discrepancies Exposed and Refuted Respecting the Evil in ...
... Then again you go on to say, "But it waited for the regulation [6584] of God, and
kept its irregular motion incomprehensible, owing to the tardiness of its ...
/.../tertullian/against hermogenes/chapter xliii other discrepancies exposed and.htm

Gregory Nazianzen.
... I for the noble tyranny which I have suffered (for I can now call it noble); and
you who exercised it, if you had cause to blame my tardiness; for perhaps this ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/gregory nazianzen.htm

Treatise xi. Exhortation to Martyrdom, Addressed to Fortunatus.
... I have considered it a useful and wholesome plan in an exhortation so needful as
that which may make martyrs, to cut off all delays and tardiness in our words ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise xi exhortation to martyrdom.htm

Introduction
... The tardiness of Anglo-Saxon recognition of this, one of the raciest, most spirited,
and most beloved of the Italian classics is not to be grasped out of hand. ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/introduction.htm

Eight Easter Lessons Learned at Emmaus. Luke xxiv. 13-35.
... Certain women had told them, but they were "slow of heart to believe." Is not
this tardiness of faith the secret of popular infidelity? ...
/.../champness/broken bread/xlviii eight easter lessons learned.htm

Epistle vii. To the Clergy, Concerning Prayer to God.
... Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not scatter away from them." [2180] Let us
ask, and we shall receive; and if there be delay and tardiness in our ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle vii to the clergy.htm

The Thirtieth Chapter: the Quest of Divine Help and Confidence in ...
... Your tardiness in turning to prayer is the greatest obstacle to heavenly consolation,
for before you pray earnestly to Me you first seek many comforts and take ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the thirtieth chapter the quest.htm

To the Rev. J. Jowett
... AND DEAR SIR,"Owing to the culpable tardiness of the post-office people, I have
received your letter so late that I have little more than a quarter of an ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev j jowett 4.htm

To the Rev. Joseph Jowett
... unnecessary to recapitulate prevented me; but I steadfastly hope that already with
your usual considerate goodness you have imputed my tardiness to anything ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev joseph jowett 2.htm

of Religion and Wisdom.
... the righteous in other parts of the world, the Omnipotent will also repay the reward
of their wickedness with a severity proportioned to its tardiness; for as ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap i of religion and.htm

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