Page 615 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

SLOTHFUL - SMYRNA

(“Evidence of battle at Hamoukar,” University of Chicago about how he is going to serve God one day, but he
Chronicle, Jan. 18, 2007). Excavators found a room in never follows through on his plans. (5) He is satisfied
which new sling bullets were made and two dozen of with the merest basics of Christian responsibility. He
the projectiles were found lined up ready to use; gets baptized and joins the church and comes when it is
apparently the city fell before they could be fielded. convenient, but can’t be counted on for much more. The
“[The pointed shape of the Hamoukar projectiles] tells Product of Sluggardism. (1) Poverty and want (Pr.
us two things: that they could be armour-piercing; and 6:9-11; 10:4; 20:31; 24:33, 34). (2) Disappointment
that the slingers must have had a technique for sending and frustration (Pr. 13:4; 15:19; 20:4). (3) Deep sleep
them off with a spin, like a rifle bullet, so as to keep (Pr. 19:15). (4) Loss (Mt. 25:26-28). (5) Decay (Ec.
them properly oriented during their flight to the 10:18). (6) Servitude (Pr. 12:24). (7) Shame; disgrace
target” (Kriwaczek, Kindle location 1633). (Pr. 10:5). (8) Suffering (Pr. 10:26; 15:19; 19:15). The
The Greeks and Romans used lead sling projectiles Wickedness of Sluggardism. (1) It is as evil as active
made in molds. “Writers tell of the terrible wounds that destruction (Pr. 18:9). (2) Jesus hates it more than
slings would inflict, especially [lead] bullets. The complete deadness (Re. 3:15). [See Diligence,
Romans developed a special pair of tongs designed for Employment, Industrious, Labor, Poverty, Slack,
getting bullets out of people. ... Pompey in the civil wars Slothful, Slow Bellies, Zeal.]
favoured the use of very large units of slingers. They SMITE. To strike; to afflict (Ge. 8:21; Ex. 7:17; De.
were used beside archers, at sea, and in sieges. Scipio 7:2; Mt. 5:39; Ac. 23:2).
used them against elephants, and Caesar comments that SMITH. Blacksmith; worker in metal (1 Sa. 13:19; 2
the sling was particularly effective against Ki. 24:14, 16).
them” (“Great Weapons of the ancient World: The SMOKE, ON A. Smoking; on fire (Ex. 19:18).
Sling”). [See Military.] SMOKING FLAX. [See Flax.]
SLOTHFUL. Lazy; unconcerned; half-hearted;
careless (Pr. 12:24, 27; 18:9; 21:25; 22:13; 24:30; SMYRNA. The location of one of the seven churches
26:13-15; Mt. 25:26; Ro. 12:11; He. 6:12). Slothful and in Asia Minor that was addressed by the risen Christ in
sluggard are used interchangeably in Proverbs (Pr. Revelation 2-3. See Revelation 2:8-17. It was located
26:13-16). [See Diligence, Employment, Labor, Poor, about 50 miles north of Ephesus on the Aegean sea in a
Slack, Sluggard.] pleasant location with a prevailing gentle west wind. It
had an excellent harbor that could be closed to
SLOW BELLIES. A description of the Cretians (Tit. shipping. The city was built at the head of a gulf that
1:12). The belly refers to bodily appetites. “Slow” refers reached 30 miles inland. “The harbor was double in
to carelessness, laziness. “Two vices seem here to be fact. The outer harbor was a portion of the gulf and was
attributed to them, which indeed commonly go together used as a place for the mooring of ships and the inner
—gluttony and sloth” (Barnes). [See Belly, Diligence, harbor, now silted in, was small enough that it could be
Sluggard.] closed to the seagoing boats of that age by a chain” (J.
SLUGGARD. Slothful; lazy; unconcerned; half- T. Marlin, The Seven Churches of Asia Minor).
hearted; careless (Pr. 12:24, 27; 18:9; 21:25; 22:13; It was one of the finest cities in the province of Asia.
24:30; 26:13-15; Mt. 25:26; Ro. 12:11; He. 6:12). It was beautifully and advantageously situated. “From
Slothful and sluggard are used interchangeably in the sea it spread to the foothills and to Mt. Pagos that
Proverbs (Pr. 26:13-16). The Characteristics of was covered with temples and lovely buildings. These
Sluggardism. (1) Lack of zeal, foresight, and vision (Pr. have been referred to as the ‘crown of Smyrna.’ Aristides
6:6-8; 10:4; 12:24). (2) Unfaithful; undependable (Pr. said that Smyrna was the most beautiful city in the
10:26). (3) Putting off duties; excuse-making (Pr. 20:4; world, ‘a flower of beauty such as earth and sun had
22:13). (4) Desires and plans without follow-through never showed to mankind’” (Marlin). “The streets were
(Pr. 21:25-26). (5) Satisfied with fulfilling only the most handsome, well paved, and drawn at right angles, and
basic responsibilities (Pr. 19:24). The Christian Sluggard. the city contained several squares, porticos, a public
(1) He lacks a vision and zeal for the things and plan of library, and numerous temples and other public
God (2 Pe. 1:8-9). (2) He is unfaithful in the things of buildings” (McClintock and Strong). The “golden street”
God (Mt. 25:14-26; 1 Co. 4:2). (3) He makes excuses that connected the temples of Zeus and Cybele is said to
for his carelessness and unfaithfulness. “I’m too busy to have been the best in the world (International Standard
study the Bible; I’m too tired to go to church on Bible Encyclopedia).
Wednesday night; I can’t read that well; I don’t want to
be a religious fanatic; I don’t know how to talk to It was a place of great commerce, science, and
strangers about Christ; I can’t meet my budget now— medicine, and was also famous for its rhetoric and
how do you expect me to tithe?” (4) He has lots of plans philosophy.

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