There are so many bible verses about time! In Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, we see that there is a time for everything under the sun–a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build. This is just a small sampling of the many things that scripture says occurs in God’s perfect timing. In addition to Ecclesiastes, other scriptures about time can be found in John 8:56 (Abraham saw Jesus’ day and was glad), 2 Peter 3:8 (With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day), and Psalm 31:15 (My times are in your hands). As we can see, the Bible has much to say about time. And whether we are facing good times or bad, we can trust that God is in control of all of it. So let us not worry about the past or the future, but let us focus on living in the present–and doing so for such a time as this!
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Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Ecclesiastes 3:1
(ESV) For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
(KJV) To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
(MSG) There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:
(NIV) There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
(NLT) For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
2 Peter 3:8
2 Peter 3:8
(ESV) But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
(KJV) But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
(MSG) Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day.
(NIV) But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
(NLT) But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.
Esther 4:14
Esther 4:14
(ESV) For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
(KJV) For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
(MSG) If you persist in staying silent at a time like this, help and deliverance will arrive for the Jews from someplace else; but you and your family will be wiped out. Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for just such a time as this.”
(NIV) For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
(NLT) If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
Psalm 90:12
Psalms 90:12
(ESV) So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
(KJV) So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
(MSG) Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!
(NIV) Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
(NLT) Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
Ephesians 5:16
Ephesians 5:16
(ESV) making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
(KJV) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
(MSG) Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!
(NIV) making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
(NLT) Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Proverbs 16:9
Proverbs 16:9
(ESV) The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
(KJV) A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
(MSG) We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it.
(NIV) In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.
(NLT) We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
James 4:13-15
James 4:13
(ESV) Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—
(KJV) Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
(MSG) And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.”
(NIV) Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”
(NLT) Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.”
James 4:14
(ESV) yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
(KJV) Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
(MSG) You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing.
(NIV) Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
(NLT) How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
James 4:15
(ESV) Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
(KJV) For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
(MSG) Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.”
(NIV) Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
(NLT) What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Jeremiah 29:11
(ESV) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
(KJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
(MSG) I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.
(NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
(NLT) For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Psalm 31:15
Psalms 31:15
(ESV) My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
(KJV) My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
(MSG) Hour by hour I place my days in your hand, safe from the hands out to get me.
(NIV) My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.
(NLT) My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
Colossians 4:5
Colossians 4:5
(ESV) Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
(KJV) Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
(MSG) Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity.
(NIV) Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
(NLT) Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.
Ephesians 1:10
Ephesians 1:10
(ESV) as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
(KJV) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
(MSG) a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.
(NIV) to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
(NLT) And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.
2 Corinthians 6:2
2 Corinthians 6:2
(ESV) For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
(KJV) (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
(MSG) God reminds us, I heard your call in the nick of time; The day you needed me, I was there to help. Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped.
(NIV) For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
(NLT) For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
Mark 13:32
Mark 13:32
(ESV) “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
(KJV) But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
(MSG) “But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father.
(NIV) “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
(NLT) “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 King James Version
(Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV) To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
(Ecclesiastes 3:2 KJV) A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
(Ecclesiastes 3:3 KJV) A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
(Ecclesiastes 3:4 KJV) A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
(Ecclesiastes 3:5 KJV) A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
(Ecclesiastes 3:6 KJV) A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
(Ecclesiastes 3:7 KJV) A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
(Ecclesiastes 3:8 KJV) A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
FAQ about Time in the Bible
In Mark 10:45, Jesus says, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus is our perfect example of when it is the right time to serve. He left his heavenly home and came to Earth to serve humans. He didn’t come to be served, but to serve others and give his life for us. When we follow Jesus’ example, we also know that it is always the right time to serve. Whether we are serving our family, our community, or strangers, we are doing what God has called us to do when we serve. It doesn’t matter if it’s convenient or easy, service is always the right thing to do.
The Bible has a lot to say about how we spend our time. In Ephesians 5:15-16, we are told to “be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.” This is a reminder that our time is a precious commodity and we should use it wisely. The Bible also teaches us that we should “redeem the time” (Ephesians 5:16). This means that we should make the most of every opportunity and not let time slip away from us. We should also be mindful of how we spend our leisure time. In Psalm 23:2-3, we are told that “he makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” These verses remind us that spending time in nature can be a form of worship and can help to refresh our souls. When we take the time to slow down and appreciate the beauty around us, we are reconnecting with God and His creation. So, the next time you’re wondering how to spend your time, remember what the Bible has to say on the subject. Use your time wisely and make the most of every opportunity.
When we think about the grandeur and majesty of God, it can be easy to feel small and insignificant. However, the Bible reminds us that we are made in God’s image and that we play an important role in His plan. Scripture tells us that Jesus was present at the creation of the world and that He is involved in every moment of our lives ( John 1:3, Colossians 1:16-17). This should give us confidence and hope, knowing that we are never alone or forgotten. The next time you feel overwhelmed by life, take comfort in knowing that Jesus is right there with you, holding all things together.
There are many bible verses that talk about how we should use our time wisely. For example, in Ephesians 5:15-16, it says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” And in Colossians 4:5, it says, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” We are called to be good stewards of our time, and that includes not wasting other people’s time. Unfortunately, there are many ways that people can waste our time. They can keep us from doing what we’re called to do by interrupting us or taking up too much of our time with unnecessary conversation. They can also make us miss important deadlines or appointments. In short, when people waste our time, they are robbing us of something precious – our time! So let’s be careful not to waste other people’s time, and let’s use our own time wisely. Bible verses can help remind us of this important principle.
The Bible doesn’t say anything specifically about how fast time flies, but it does talk about how short life is in comparison to eternity. In James 4:14, we read, “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” Our lives on this earth are like a vapor when compared to eternity. Even the longest human life is just a blink of an eye in the grand scheme of things.
That being said, even though our time on earth is brief, it’s still important to make the most of it. In Ephesians 5:15-16, we’re told to “look carefully then how you walk.”
There is no specific scripture reference about people who waste our time, but there are general principles we can apply. The Bible tells us to “redeem the time” (Ephesians 5:16), which means to make the best use of our time. We are also told to “grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). When we waste our time, we are not doing any of these things. Wasting time can take many different forms. It can be anything from watching too much television or surfing the internet, to gossiping or engaging in other activities that don’t have a productive purpose.
The Bible doesn’t give a specific timeframe for how much time we have left. However, it’s clear that God desires for everyone to come to repentance and believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. He is patient with us, and desires that everyone come to Him, but ultimately, each person will give an account for their actions (or inactions) at the judgment seat of Christ. So while we don’t know exactly how much time we have left, we should always be ready for Jesus Christ to return at any moment.