Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
The word soul in the verse means the person or physical self, so the idle person himself is left hungry. Slothfulness produces a sluggish inactivity like deep sleep, and idleness leaves a person without food and the means and necessities that diligent work provides. Slothfulness dulls a person into inactivity and leaves the idle soul in need. Poverty and want follow refusal to work because, though God provides, people must diligently gather and work with the abilities they have.
Idleness is physical, mental, and spiritual, bringing poverty of body, mind, and soul, so a body idle from work can have a hungry soul. Freedom from the need to work can foster sin and trouble, so a fortune that exempts children from toil can lead them into sin. In spiritual duty, slothfulness means inactivity when duty is presented, neglecting opportunities to do good such as a kind deed to the poor, suppressing pride, confessing truth before scoffers, or resisting temptation. That failure causes barrenness of soul, brings professed believers into the same careless condition as nominal professors who do not walk circumspectly, and distorts perception so things are no longer viewed rightly, and only active obedience awakens from that sleep.
Wasting time exposes the soul to danger and opens the way to sin, and an empty unoccupied hour can begin a person's ruin, while purposeful occupation protects the soul and keeps it guarded. Slothfulness brings a spiritually dull, inactive state and idleness ends in want and need. The warning applies to spiritual as well as material life, so dwelling on sorrow while remaining inactive deepens distress, while serving others and working for the Lord brings comfort and refreshment.
The verse warns against idleness and urges work, warns children especially against habits of idleness and sluggishness, and makes diligence a matter of obedience to God's law. An indolent person fails to provide properly for his family and does not rightly represent the religion of Jesus Christ.
The word soul in the verse means the person or physical self, so the idle person himself is left hungry. Slothfulness produces a sluggish inactivity like deep sleep, and idleness leaves a person without food and the means and necessities that diligent work provides. Slothfulness dulls a person into inactivity and leaves the idle soul in need. Poverty and want follow refusal to work because, though God provides, people must diligently gather and work with the abilities they have.
Idleness is physical, mental, and spiritual, bringing poverty of body, mind, and soul, so a body idle from work can have a hungry soul. Freedom from the need to work can foster sin and trouble, so a fortune that exempts children from toil can lead them into sin. In spiritual duty, slothfulness means inactivity when duty is presented, neglecting opportunities to do good such as a kind deed to the poor, suppressing pride, confessing truth before scoffers, or resisting temptation. That failure causes barrenness of soul, brings professed believers into the same careless condition as nominal professors who do not walk circumspectly, and distorts perception so things are no longer viewed rightly, and only active obedience awakens from that sleep.
Wasting time exposes the soul to danger and opens the way to sin, and an empty unoccupied hour can begin a person's ruin, while purposeful occupation protects the soul and keeps it guarded. Slothfulness brings a spiritually dull, inactive state and idleness ends in want and need. The warning applies to spiritual as well as material life, so dwelling on sorrow while remaining inactive deepens distress, while serving others and working for the Lord brings comfort and refreshment.
The verse warns against idleness and urges work, warns children especially against habits of idleness and sluggishness, and makes diligence a matter of obedience to God's law. An indolent person fails to provide properly for his family and does not rightly represent the religion of Jesus Christ.