What Does the Bible Say About Working on Sunday?

The question of whether working on Sunday is permissible according to the Bible is relevant for many Christians. The Bible provides guidance on rest and work, particularly in relation to the Sabbath, traditionally associated with the seventh day (Saturday), but often applied to Sunday as the “Lord’s Day” in Christian tradition. This article examines what the Bible factually says about working on Sunday, based on relevant passages from both the Old and New Testaments. It discusses the principles, context, and possible arguments for and against, while focusing on a clear and comprehensive explanation without personal opinions or external interpretations.

The Sabbath in the Old Testament

The concept of a day of rest is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, particularly in the laws God gave to the people of Israel. The Sabbath, the seventh day of the week (Saturday), is mentioned in several passages as a day on which no work should be done.

The Creation and the Establishment of the Sabbath In Genesis 2:2-3, the foundation is laid: “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Here, the Sabbath is established as a day of rest, following God’s own example of resting after creation. No explicit command to rest is given, but the sanctification of the day sets a precedent.
The Sabbath in the Ten Commandments In Exodus 20:8-11, the fourth commandment states: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.” This commandment is explicit: no work is to be done on the Sabbath, not by the Israelites, their families, their servants, their animals, or even foreigners among them. The reason is that the Sabbath is a holy day, dedicated to God. A similar passage in Deuteronomy 5:12-15 emphasizes the Sabbath as a reminder of the deliverance from Egypt: “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. (…) Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there.” Here, the Sabbath is also linked to social justice, as even slaves and animals are entitled to rest.
Other Regulations About the Sabbath In Exodus 31:14-15, the seriousness of the Sabbath commandment is underscored: “Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people.” This highlights how seriously the commandment was taken in the Mosaic Law. An example is found in Numbers 15:32-36, where a man gathering wood on the Sabbath was stoned to death at God’s command.
Exceptions and Nuances Although the Sabbath was strict, there were exceptions. Priests performed sacrifices and other temple duties on the Sabbath (Numbers 28:9-10). This work was considered part of worship and thus permitted. Additionally, Nehemiah 13:15-22 shows that trade and secular labor were specifically prohibited, but the focus was on sanctifying the day for God.

Summary Old Testament: The Old Testament strictly prohibits work on the Sabbath (Saturday), emphasizing rest, worship, and remembering God’s creation and deliverance. The Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Exodus 31:16-17). However, exceptions exist for religious duties, such as temple services.

The Sabbath and Sunday in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the focus shifts from the Sabbath (Saturday) to Sunday in the early Christian community, because Jesus rose on the first day of the week (Mark 16:9). However, there is no explicit command to move the Sabbath to Sunday or to refrain from work on Sunday. Let’s examine the relevant passages.

Jesus and the Sabbath Jesus often spoke about the Sabbath, usually in situations where He was accused of breaking it. In Mark 2:23-28, Jesus’ disciples picked grain on the Sabbath, which the Pharisees considered work. Jesus said: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Here, Jesus emphasizes that the Sabbath is intended as a blessing for humanity, not a burden. He challenges the Pharisees’ strict application of the law. In Matthew 12:9-12, Jesus heals a man with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath. He asks: “Is it lawful to do good or to do evil on the Sabbath, to save life or to kill? (…) How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Jesus teaches that doing good, such as healing, is permissible on the Sabbath. This suggests that mercy and necessity take precedence over strict rest rules.
The Resurrection and Sunday Although the Bible does not explicitly state that the Sabbath was replaced by Sunday, the first day of the week (Sunday) became significant for early Christians due to Jesus’ resurrection. In Acts 20:7, we read: “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people.” This indicates gatherings on Sunday, likely to celebrate the resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 16:2, Paul encourages believers to set aside money for a collection on the first day of the week, suggesting this was a common day of gathering.
Freedom from the Law in Christ In the New Testament, the Mosaic Law, including the Sabbath, is often seen as fulfilled in Christ. In Romans 14:5-6, Paul writes: “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.” This suggests that observing a specific day, such as the Sabbath or Sunday, is a matter of personal conviction and not mandatory. In Colossians 2:16-17, it says: “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” Here, Paul states that the Sabbath is a “shadow” of the reality fulfilled in Christ, implying that strict observance of Sabbath rules is not required for Christians.
No Explicit Prohibition on Working on Sunday The New Testament contains no direct instructions prohibiting work on Sunday. Instead, the emphasis is on freedom in Christ and the principle that every day can be dedicated to God. However, Sunday became a day of worship and rest in the early church, as evidenced by early Christian writings (outside the Bible), but this is not a direct biblical command.

Summary New Testament: Jesus emphasizes that the Sabbath is for human well-being and that mercy and doing good take precedence over strict rules. The New Testament does not mandate resting on Sunday, but Sunday became significant as the day of resurrection and worship. Christians have freedom in how they sanctify days, and the Sabbath is seen as fulfilled in Christ.

Arguments For and Against Based on the Bible

For working on Sunday:

Freedom in Christ: Passages like Romans 14:5-6 and Colossians 2:16-17 suggest that Christians are not bound to specific days, such as the Sabbath or Sunday, for rest or worship. Working on Sunday is therefore not a sin, as long as one honors God in daily life.
Necessary Work: Jesus’ example in Matthew 12:9-12 shows that doing good, such as healing, is permissible on the Sabbath. This can be applied to necessary work, such as in healthcare, emergency services, or other essential tasks, on Sunday.
No Explicit Command: The New Testament does not explicitly prohibit working on Sunday, unlike the strict Sabbath rules in the Old Testament.

Against working on Sunday:

Sanctification of a Rest Day: Although the New Testament approaches the Sabbath less strictly, the principle of a rest day dedicated to God (as in Exodus 20:8-11) remains important. Many Christians apply this to Sunday as the “Lord’s Day.”
Example of the Early Church: In Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2, Sunday is shown as a special day for worship. Working on Sunday may detract from this dedication.
God’s Design for Rest: Genesis 2:2-3 and Exodus 20:11 show that rest is part of God’s created order. Regularly working on Sunday may undermine this principle.

Conclusion

The Bible does not directly address working on Sunday but provides principles about rest and worship. In the Old Testament, the Sabbath (Saturday) is a sanctified day of rest where work is strictly prohibited, with exceptions for religious duties. In the New Testament, Jesus relativizes Sabbath rules, emphasizing human well-being and mercy. Sunday became significant as the day of resurrection and worship, but there is no explicit prohibition on working. Christians have freedom to sanctify days according to their conviction (Romans 14:5), but the principle of rest and dedication to God remains relevant.

For Christians considering whether working on Sunday is appropriate, the Bible offers room for both observing a rest day and performing necessary work, as long as it aligns with a life dedicated to God. These principles should be applied prayerfully and wisely in the context of one’s personal circumstances.

Final Thoughts

The biblical teachings on the Sabbath and Sunday highlight a balance between rest, worship, and service to others. While the Old Testament establishes a clear framework for resting on the Sabbath, the New Testament introduces flexibility, emphasizing that the spirit of the law—honoring God and serving others—takes precedence over rigid rules. For those navigating decisions about working on Sunday, the Bible encourages discernment, prioritizing God’s glory and human well-being. Whether one chooses to rest or work, the overarching call is to live every day in devotion to God, trusting in the freedom and grace provided through Christ.

The Christian Council Church