Definition and General Understanding:

Slackness, in a biblical context, refers to a lack of diligence, care, or promptness in fulfilling one's duties or responsibilities. It is often associated with laziness, negligence, or a failure to act with the urgency or seriousness that a situation demands. The term can be applied to both spiritual and practical aspects of life, highlighting a deficiency in zeal or commitment.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 18:9 · "Whoever is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys."
This proverb equates slackness in work with destructive behavior, emphasizing the negative consequences of failing to fulfill one's responsibilities. It suggests that neglecting one's duties can lead to outcomes as harmful as those caused by active wrongdoing.

2. Ecclesiastes 10:18 · "Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks."
Here, slackness is depicted as a cause of deterioration and decay. The imagery of a collapsing roof and a leaking house illustrates how neglect and idleness can lead to ruin, both physically and metaphorically.

3. 2 Peter 3:9 · "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 verse contrasts human perceptions of slackness with divine patience. While some may perceive God's timing as slackness, it is, in fact, a demonstration of His mercy and desire for all to repent.

Theological Implications:

Slackness is often viewed as a moral failing in the biblical narrative, representing a lack of faithfulness and commitment to God's commands. It is seen as a hindrance to spiritual growth and a barrier to fulfilling God's purposes. The Bible encourages believers to be diligent and fervent in their service to the Lord, warning against the dangers of complacency and spiritual lethargy.

Practical Applications:

1. Work Ethic: Believers are encouraged to approach their work with diligence and integrity, recognizing that their efforts are ultimately for the Lord. Colossians 3:23 states, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men."

2. Spiritual Vigilance: Christians are called to remain vigilant in their spiritual lives, actively pursuing holiness and resisting the temptation to become spiritually slack. Romans 12:11 exhorts, "Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."

3. Community Responsibility: Slackness can also affect one's role within the Christian community. Believers are urged to support and encourage one another, ensuring that no one becomes idle or neglectful in their faith journey. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to "spur one another on to love and good deeds" and to "not give up meeting together."

Warnings Against Slackness:

The Bible provides numerous warnings against slackness, highlighting its potential to lead to spiritual and moral decay. Proverbs 24:30-34 describes the consequences of laziness, using the metaphor of a neglected vineyard overgrown with thorns and weeds. This passage serves as a cautionary tale, urging believers to remain diligent and attentive in all aspects of life.

In summary, slackness is portrayed in the Bible as a detrimental attitude that can lead to both personal and communal harm. Believers are called to reject slackness and embrace a life of diligence, faithfulness, and active service to God and others.(n.) The quality or state of being slack.1022. bradutes -- slowness
... Word Origin from bradus Definition slowness NASB Word Usage slowness (1). slackness,
slowness. From bradus; tardiness -- slackness. see GREEK bradus. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1022.htm - 6k7423b. remiyyah -- laxness, slackness
... 7423a, 7423b. remiyyah. 7424 . laxness, slackness. Transliteration:
remiyyah Short Definition: idle. Word Origin from an unused ...
/hebrew/7423b.htm - 5k

8220. shiphluth -- a sinking
... 8219, 8220. shiphluth. 8221 . a sinking. Transliteration: shiphluth Phonetic
Spelling: (shif-looth') Short Definition: slackness. ...
/hebrew/8220.htm - 6k

3027. yad -- hand
... 2), reined about* (1), representative (1), responsible* (1), rule (5), seized*
(2), service (1), side (5), sides (1), signpost (1), slackness* (1), some (1 ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

7510. rippayon -- a sinking
... Word Origin from raphah Definition a sinking NASB Word Usage limpness (1). feebleness.
From raphah; slackness -- feebleness. see HEBREW raphah. 7509, 7510. ...
/hebrew/7510.htm - 6k

He Then Shows, from the Instance of Adam and Abel, and Other ...
... is "Son." Well, at this point our argument will convict that of our opponents on
two grounds, first, of an attempt at knavery, secondly, of slackness in their ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 3 he then shows.htm

How those are to be Admonished who do not Even Begin Good Things ...
... If then the strong hand of the worker carry not on to perfection the good things
begun, the very slackness in working fights against what has been wrought. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxxiv how those are.htm

Against Publishing the Errors of the Brethren.
... his time in handicraft and honest labours; and gathering hence much love of wisdom
for the soul; becomes thereby more attentive and free from slackness, and is ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/against publishing the errors of.htm

The Inwardness of Prayer
... Him. The history of the saints shows often that their lapses were the fruit
and nemesis of slackness or neglect in prayer. Their ...
/.../forsyth/the soul of prayer/chapter i the inwardness of.htm

On Appeal.
... To begin the following of Christ, or, having already begun that following, to arise
from slackness to whole-hearted service, may involve the snapping of long ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter iii on appeal.htm

Whence it is not Right Either that those of the Clergy who have ...
... If indeed they had not fallen, of that which they had done contrary to reason, their
spontaneous flight for instance, or their slackness in teaching and ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon x whence it is.htm

The Way from Sin to Perfect Salvation.
... Mark 1:15. It is the will of God that men should repent of their sins. "The Lord
is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter v the way from.htm

The Holidays at Thagaste
... It must have been a good deal stronger at a time when Christianity still had to
fight against pagan slackness in these matters, ere Islam had imposed its ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/vi the holidays at thagaste.htm

The Rebuilding of the Temple.
... Haggai had likewise to rebuke the people for their slackness in the work, and for
building their own houses instead of the Temple, and soon they fell into ...
/.../yonge/the chosen people/lesson xiii the rebuilding of.htm

On a Holy Martyr's Day
... St Gregory says: "Temptations do not defile a man except through his own
slackness and want of diligence in turning aside from them.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxxi on a holy.htm

Slackness (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The quality or state of being slack.
Multi-Version Concordance Slackness (3 Occurrences). 2 Peter ...
/s/slackness.htm - 7k

You-ward (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness;
but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but ...
/y/you-ward.htm - 9k

Us-ward (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but ...
/u/us-ward.htm - 7k

Long-suffering (23 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but ...
/l/long-suffering.htm - 13k

Infirmity (22 Occurrences)
... It is probable that this condition of body produced a certain slackness in
Timothy's work against which Paul several times cautions him. ...
/i/infirmity.htm - 15k

Slack (19 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but ...
/s/slack.htm - 12k

Slackeneth (1 Occurrence)

/s/slackeneth.htm - 6k

Longsuffering (17 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but ...
/l/longsuffering.htm - 16k

Slain (235 Occurrences)

/s/slain.htm - 38k

Willing (152 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but ...
/w/willing.htm - 35k

What does it mean that God is not willing for any to perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about idleness/being idle? | GotQuestions.org

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

Slackness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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