In the context of biblical literature, the term "trifle" refers to something of little value or importance. The concept of trifling is often associated with actions, words, or attitudes that are considered insignificant or lacking in seriousness, especially in matters of faith and moral conduct.

Biblical References and Context

While the specific term "trifle" may not frequently appear in the Berean Standard Bible, the concept is present throughout Scripture. The Bible often contrasts the trivial with the weighty matters of faith, urging believers to focus on what is truly important.

1. Proverbs 14:23 · "In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." This verse highlights the futility of idle talk, which can be seen as trifling, in contrast to the value of diligent work.

2. Ecclesiastes 5:2 · "Do not be quick to speak, and do not let your heart hastily utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few." Here, the admonition against hasty speech underscores the importance of thoughtful and meaningful communication, as opposed to trifling words.

3. Matthew 23:23 · "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for focusing on minor, trifling details while neglecting the more significant aspects of the law.

4. 1 Timothy 1:6 · "Some have strayed from these ways and turned aside to empty talk." Paul warns Timothy about those who engage in meaningless discussions, which can be considered trifling, instead of focusing on sound doctrine and godly edification.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, trifling can be seen as a distraction from the core tenets of the Christian faith. Believers are encouraged to prioritize their relationship with God and the pursuit of righteousness over trivial matters. The Bible calls for a focus on actions and words that build up the body of Christ and advance the kingdom of God.

Practical Application

In practical terms, Christians are urged to avoid engaging in activities or conversations that are frivolous or unproductive. Instead, they should seek to invest their time and energy in endeavors that have eternal significance. This includes studying Scripture, prayer, acts of service, and fostering relationships that encourage spiritual growth.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The avoidance of trifling is also a moral and ethical issue. It involves discerning what is truly valuable and making choices that reflect a commitment to living a life that honors God. This discernment requires wisdom and a heart aligned with God's purposes, as believers strive to live out their faith with integrity and purpose.1. (n.) A thing of very little value or importance; a paltry, or trivial, affair.

2. (n.) A dish composed of sweetmeats, fruits, cake, wine, etc., with syllabub poured over it.

3. (n.) To act or talk without seriousness, gravity, weight, or dignity; to act or talk with levity; to indulge in light or trivial amusements.

4. (v. t.) To make of no importance; to treat as a trifle.

5. (v. t.) To spend in vanity; to fritter away; to waste; as, to trifle away money.

8524. talal -- to mock, deceive, trifle with
... 8523, 8524. talal. 8525 . to mock, deceive, trifle with. Transliteration: talal
Phonetic Spelling: (taw-lal') Short Definition: deceived. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/8524.htm - 6k

4213. mizar -- a little, a trifle, a few
... 4212, 4213. mizar. 4214 . a little, a trifle, a few. Transliteration:
mizar Phonetic Spelling: (miz-awr') Short Definition: very. ...
/hebrew/4213.htm - 6k

Certificate Laws and Western Land Bills
... It is sometimes said that the giving of a certificate once a year or once in a man's
life is but a trifle, and none but the obstinate will refuse it as none ...
/.../chapter xiii certificate laws and.htm

Introduction.
... life. This is not a play-ground, or a place to trifle with time. ... time. To trifle
away time is indeed to be the greatest of spendthrifts. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/introduction.htm

Letter xii. Improvement of Time. Present Obligation.
... wide field of benevolent exertion which opens everywhere around him, and reflects
how exceedingly short his time is, will not be disposed to trifle away any of ...
/.../letter xii improvement of time.htm

Religion --A Reality
... It is no fiction it is no trifle; it is no folly; it is no speculation. ... II.
Secondly, "It is not a vain thing""that is, IT IS NO TRIFLE. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/religiona reality.htm

The Ninth Season
... 4. Perhaps the smallness of the sin is urged as a reason why you may commit it;
thus: 'It is but a little one, a small matter, a trifle; who would stand upon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/ix the ninth season.htm

Temporary Hardening.
... This is why he delights again and again in making a man either trifle with the deadly
danger of his soul, or to believe that he is hopelessly lost and beyond ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxiv temporary hardening.htm

The Hold Fast
... eternal things. If he intends trifling he will trifle, but if he means
taking fast hold he will, by God's grace, do so. Under God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the hold fast.htm

The Broken Fence
... It shows great faultiness of mind and unsoundness of heart when we can trifle with
those grave and solemn truths which have been sanctified by a mother's tears ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the broken fence.htm

The Turning Point
... pasture. You mock your friends, and trifle with your own souls. ... impenitence?
Wilt thou trifle with mercy till justice smite thee? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/the turning point.htm

Meanwhile Florian Varillo had not Gone to Naples. ...
... Such a trifle! It seemed to him incredible"unjust"that so slight a thing could
intervene between him and the complete success of his meditated treachery. ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxxi meanwhile florian varillo had.htm

Trifle (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To make of no importance; to treat as a trifle. 5. (vt) To spend in vanity;
to fritter away; to waste; as, to trifle away money. ...Trifle (2 Occurrences). ...
/t/trifle.htm - 7k

Nothing (769 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A thing of no account, value, or note; something irrelevant and impertinent;
something of comparative unimportance; utter insignificance; a trifle. ...
/n/nothing.htm - 40k

Fool (95 Occurrences)
... accouterments. 6. (vi) To play the fool; to trifle; to toy; to spend time in
idle sport or mirth. 7. (vt) To infatuate; to make foolish. ...
/f/fool.htm - 47k

Trifled (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Trifle. Multi-Version Concordance
Trifled (1 Occurrence). Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, finding ...
/t/trifled.htm - 6k

Trieth (7 Occurrences)

/t/trieth.htm - 8k

Thought (821 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Solicitude; anxious care; concern. 7. (n.) A small degree or quantity;
a trifle; as, a thought longer; a thought better. Int. ...
/t/thought.htm - 8k

Trick (11 Occurrences)
... players. 7. (n.) A turn; specifically, the spell of a sailor at the helm, --
usually two hours. 8. (n.) A toy; a trifle; a plaything. 9 ...
/t/trick.htm - 10k

Rush (35 Occurrences)
... stems, as the species of Juncus and Scirpus. 2. (n.) The merest trifle;
a straw. 3. (vi) To move forward with impetuosity, violence ...
/r/rush.htm - 20k

Dissipation (4 Occurrences)
... dissoluteness. 3. (n.) A trifle which wastes time or distracts attention.
Multi-Version Concordance Dissipation (4 Occurrences). ...
/d/dissipation.htm - 7k

Dally
... 1. (vi) To waste time in effeminate or voluptuous pleasures, or in idleness;
to fool away time; to delay unnecessarily; to tarry; to trifle. ...
/d/dally.htm - 7k

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

Trifle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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