The Bible does not specifically mention being late or lateness. However, there are some principles and verses that can provide wisdom and insight into how we should view and respond to lateness.
Being on time shows respect for others
Showing up late for an appointment or event demonstrates a lack of respect for other people’s time. When we are late, we are essentially saying that our time is more valuable than the time of those who are waiting for us. Proverbs 14:23 warns against meaningless talk and emphasizes the value of hard work: “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” Being on time requires self-discipline and effort, while being habitually late reveals a lack of discipline. Ecclesiastes 3:1 also reminds us that there is a time for everything – being late essentially disregards God’s timing and plan.
Being on time demonstrates good stewardship
As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of all that God has given us, including our time. When we waste our own time or the time of others by being late, we are poor stewards. Ephesians 5:15-16 tells us to “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Being punctual enables us to make the most of our time and be good stewards of the limited time God has allotted.
Being on time shows reliability and trustworthiness
People who are habitually late are seen as unreliable and untrustworthy. Proverbs 25:19 warns, “Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.” When we tell someone we will be somewhere at a certain time, we should follow through out of integrity. Being consistently late damages our witness and causes others to lose confidence in our word.
Jesus valued order and preparation
Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus being careful to steward his time and prepare for his ministry work. Before choosing the twelve disciples, Luke 6:12-13 shares, “In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve.” Jesus made time to pray and prepare before making important decisions. He valued order and preparation rather than operating in a last-minute, haphazard manner.
Being late can be selfish and inconsiderate of others
When we arrive late to a meeting or gathering, we interrupt and impose on others. Our lack of consideration for their time is ultimately selfish. Philippians 2:3-4 instructs us to “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Rather than being controlled by laziness or lack of preparation, we should seek to put others first by being on time.
Being late cuts short valuable time with people
In our relationships, we have a limited amount of time to invest. When we are late to meet a friend or small group, we cut into that precious time we could have spent together. Ephesians 5:16 tells us to make the best use of our time. Being late reduces the quality time we could have used to build others up and strengthen relationships.
God is concerned about order and structure
Throughout Scripture, God demonstrates that He values order, structure and planning. 1 Corinthians 14:40 says, “But all things should be done decently and in order.” God created an organized universe and system of time. When we are late, we disrupt that order. Ecclesiastes 3:1 declares, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Being on time shows respect for God’s system of order.
Being late can be a symptom of deeper issues
While running late occasionally can happen to anyone, consistent lateness often signals deeper problems. It may reveal issues like poor time management, laziness, lack of discipline, disorganization, or disrespect of others’ time. As Christians, we should reflect on patterns of lateness and ask God to change our hearts and habits by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
Ask God for help with being on time
Since being on time honors God and serves others, we should ask for His strength and discipline to be punctual. James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God.” We can pray for wisdom in managing our schedule and discipline to follow through. As Galatians 5:22-23 describes, self-control and faithfulness are fruits of the Spirit. Being on time exemplifies those godly traits.
God rewards faithfulness in small things
Showing up on time for small commitments demonstrates godly faithfulness that God will eventually reward. Luke 16:10 reminds us, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.” Being dependable in areas like time management paves the way for bigger opportunities. When we prove trustworthy in basic areas, we show that we can be trusted with more important things.
Jesus emphasized fulfilling our responsibilities
Throughout his parables, Jesus underscored the importance of fulfilling our duties and finishing our work. In Luke 12:42-48, Jesus tells a parable commending the faithful and wise manager who does his master’s will while he is away. When we are late, we are postponing our responsibilities rather than acting as good stewards. Jesus calls us to diligently fulfill our obligations in a timely manner.
Being late can hurt your witness
As Christians, our lives are a witness to the transforming power of Christ. When we are regularly late, we project the opposite of Christ-like discipline and reliability. Our tardiness presents a poor witness that keeps nonbelievers from seeing the goodness of God. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Being on time allows our punctuality to glorify God.
God equips us to live orderly, upright lives
By studying God’s word and seeking His wisdom, He will equip us to live orderly, upright lives – including being on time. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 affirms, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” As we grow in godly character, we will be better prepared to steward our time well.
The value of timeliness in the early church
In the early church, timeliness and order were very important during gatherings. Paul advised the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 14:40, “But all things should be done decently and in order.” Acts 20:7 also mentions that on the first day of the week, the believers “were gathered together to break bread.” The early believers valued meeting at the set time to worship God and build each other up.
Ask God to change your heart
More than just changing our actions, God wants to change our hearts and motivations. Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” As we grow closer to God, He will shape our desires to align with His – including being faithful stewards of time. We should ask Him to give us hearts that earnestly want to be timely and dependable.
Make timeliness a matter of prayer
Being on time should ultimately be a spiritual matter, not just a logistical one. We can pray for God to develop promptness and orderliness in us. As 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us, we should “pray without ceasing.” As we bring this area before God, He will guide us into greater discipline and intentionality with being on time. Philippians 4:6 also encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Ask God for forgiveness when late
When we fail to be on time, we should repent and ask God for forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God is gracious to pardon our shortcomings as we humbly acknowledge them. We can receive His mercy and strength to improve going forward.
Being late can show lack of self-control
Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, according to Galatians 5:22-23. When we are consistently late, it demonstrates a lack of self-discipline and restraint. As 2 Timothy 1:7 notes, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” God empowers His people to exercise restraint over their time and actions. As we walk in the Spirit, we should grow in self-control and discretion.
Ask God to help you manage time better
We serve a God who cares about every detail of our lives. As 1 Peter 5:7 declares, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Being chronically late is often a symptom of poor time management. As we cast our burdens on the Lord, He can guide us into greater organization and intentionality with our schedule. God has wisdom to help us structure our time well.
Practice punctuality to develop godliness
Being on time takes effort and discipline – qualities that build godly character in us. 1 Timothy 4:7 instructs, “Train yourself for godliness.” As we continually practice skills like punctuality, we develop Christ-like habits. These spiritual disciplines honor the Lord and distinguish us as His faithful followers. Our contentment should not come from comfort, but from living uprightly.
Ask God to reveal root issues
We serve a gracious God who wants to bring lasting heart change, not just temporary behavior modification. As we ask Him, God will reveal any deeper issues or motivations that drive our chronic lateness. Jeremiah 17:9-10 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the LORD search the heart and test the mind.” As God transforms our hearts, our actions and priorities will follow.
Pray for a hatred of being late
Rather than being content with excusing and enabling our lateness, we can pray for a holy hatred of being late. Throughout Scripture, we see God’s disdain for lukewarmness and tolerance of sin (Revelation 3:16). As He changes our hearts, we will view tardiness as He does – something disruptive and displeasing that fails to make the best use of time. We should pray for decisive repentance.
Ask God to develop diligence in your life
Diligence is a valuable Christian virtue that combats patterns of laziness or procrastination that lead to lateness. Proverbs 10:4 observes that “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” As we pray, God will grow spiritual diligence in us. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can gain self-discipline and intentionality to be on time and steward time well.
Pray for a high view of time and eternity
Our lateness often reveals a low view of time and eternity. But as Christians, our days on earth are an opportunity to prepare for eternal life with Christ. Ephesians 5:15-16 urges, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” As we gain an eternal perspective, it will motivate us to make the most of each minute God gives us.
Ask God for greater awareness
Sometimes our chronic lateness happens unintentionally as we lose track of time. As we pray, God can increase our self-awareness and attentiveness. Psalms 39:4-5 declares, “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you.” God will remind us to number our days and steward our limited time on earth.
Conclusion
While the Bible does not specifically address lateness, it provides many principles to guide us: valuing time, respecting others, being faithful with little, and developing self-control. We can pray for God to change our hearts, reveal root issues, and grow spiritual diligence within us. As we walk closely with Christ, He will equip us to live orderly, timely lives that make the most of every opportunity.
