Topical Encyclopedia
Effort, in the context of the Bible, is often associated with the diligence, labor, and perseverance required in the pursuit of spiritual growth, obedience to God's commandments, and the fulfillment of one's God-given purpose. The concept of effort is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of human responsibility in cooperation with divine grace.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, effort is frequently linked to the Israelites' obedience to God's laws and their commitment to worship and serve Him. The book of Proverbs, for instance, highlights the value of diligent work and the consequences of laziness.
Proverbs 13:4 states, "The soul of the sluggard craves yet gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied." This verse underscores the principle that effort and hard work lead to fulfillment and reward.
The narrative of Nehemiah provides a vivid example of collective effort in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls.
Nehemiah 4:6 records, "So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work." Here, the people's unified effort, driven by a shared vision and determination, resulted in the successful completion of a monumental task.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, effort is often associated with the Christian's spiritual journey and the pursuit of holiness. The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to exert effort in their walk with Christ. In
Philippians 2:12-13 , Paul writes, "Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence but now even more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose." This passage highlights the synergy between divine enablement and human effort in the process of sanctification.
The metaphor of athletic competition is used by Paul to illustrate the necessity of effort in the Christian life. In
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 , he writes, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable." Here, Paul emphasizes the disciplined effort required to achieve spiritual victory and eternal reward.
Effort in the Life of JesusJesus Christ Himself exemplified the perfect balance of divine power and human effort. His earthly ministry was marked by tireless service, teaching, and healing, often in the face of opposition and fatigue. In
John 9:4 , Jesus declares, "While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work." This statement reflects Jesus' commitment to fulfilling His mission with urgency and diligence.
Effort and FaithWhile effort is essential, it is important to recognize that it is not a means of earning salvation, which is a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ (
Ephesians 2:8-9). Instead, effort is a response to God's grace, an expression of faith that manifests in obedience and good works.
James 2:17 asserts, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." Thus, genuine faith is evidenced by the effort to live according to God's will.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of effort underscores the importance of human responsibility in the spiritual life. It calls believers to a life of diligence, perseverance, and active participation in God's work, all while relying on His strength and guidance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An exertion of strength or power, whether physical or mental, in performing an act or aiming at an object; more or less strenuous endeavor; struggle directed to the accomplishment of an object; as, an effort to scale a wall.
2. (n.) A force acting on a body in the direction of its motion.
3. (v. t.) To stimulate.
Greek
4704. spoudazo -- to make haste, hence to give diligence... Word Origin from spoude Definition to make haste, hence to give diligence NASB Word
Usage diligent (6), eager (2), make every
effort (3). be eager, hasten.
...4710. spoude -- haste, diligence
... 4710 (from 4692 , "move quickly, speed on") -- properly, swiftness to
show , ie one's "best" (fulleffort by making haste). For...
3449. mochthos -- toil, hardship
... 3449 (from , "laborious toil") -- wearisome, difficulteffort (psychologically or
physically); hard work, "implying of energy andeffort" (, 1, 42.48)....
419. anexeraunetos -- unsearchable
... negates the intensified term, 1830 , "search out ") -- properly, impossible to fully
investigate, no matter how great theeffort (inquiry); (); impossible to...
2872. kopiao -- to grow weary, toil
... kopiao Phonetic Spelling: (kop-ee-ah'-o) Short Definition: I grow weary, toil
Definition: (a) I grow weary, (b) I toil, work witheffort (of bodily and mental...
442. anthropinos -- human
... 442 (from 444 , "mankind, relating to human nature") -- properly, ("of
mankind/human-kind"); (figuratively) what is (finite), ie confined toeffort (...
2041. ergon -- work
... deed, doing, labor, work. From a primary (but obsolete) ergo (to work); toil (as
aneffort or occupation); by implication, an act -- deed, doing, labour, work....
4342. proskartereo -- to attend constantly
... [4342 means "to continue to do something with intenseeffort, with the possible
implication of despite difficulty -- 'to devote oneself to, to keep on, to...
27. agapetos -- beloved
... Jude 3: " (27 ), while I was making everyeffort to write you about our common
salvation, I had [a sense of] necessity to write to you, exhorting [you] to...
73. agon -- a gathering, contest, struggle
... From ago; properly, a place of assembly (as if led), ie (by implication) a contest
(held there); figuratively, aneffort or anxiety -- conflict, contention...
Strong's Hebrew
2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen... louder (1), made (1), made himself secure (1), made their harder (1), made repairs
(12), made stronger (1), maintain (1), make (1), make an
effort (1), making
...3887. luts -- ambassador, have in derision, interpreter, make a...
... A primitive root; properly, to make mouths at, ie To scoff; hence (from theeffort
to pronounce a foreign language) to interpret, or (generally) intercede...
2803. chashab -- to think, account
... ie (literally) to weave or (gen.) To fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive
(usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mentaleffort) to think...
5999. amal -- trouble, labor, toil
... grievance, iniquity, labor, mischief, misery, painful, perverseness, sorrow,.
From amal; toil, ie Wearingeffort; hence, worry, wheth....
5090. nahag -- to drive, conduct
... a person, an animal or chariot), ie Lead, carry away; reflexively, to proceed (ie
Impel or guide oneself); also (from the panting induced byeffort), to sigh...
6045. inyan -- occupation, task
... task. Word Origin from anah Definition occupation, task NASB Word Usageeffort
(1), investment (1), task (6). business, travail. From...
202. on -- vigor, wealth
... Probably from the same as 'aven (in the sense ofeffort, but successful); ability,
power, (figuratively) wealth -- force, goods, might, strength, substance....
Library
TheEffort.
... II. Seeking, Pleading, and Hoping. Hymn 12 Theeffort. John Newton 8,6,8,6. The
effort. Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat. Where JESUS answers prayer;...
TheEffort.
... II. Seeking, Pleading, and Hoping. Hymn 11 Theeffort. John Newton
10,10,10,10. Theeffort. Cheer up, my soul, there is a mercy-seat....
A Miracle NeedingEffort
... THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS A MIRACLE NEEDINGEFFORT.... The actual miracle is remarkable
for two peculiarities"theeffort required and the slowness of the process....
Memory, Hope, andEffort
... VOLUME II: PSALMS LI to CXLV MEMORY, HOPE, ANDEFFORT.... My text tells us how past,
present, and future"memory, hope, andeffort may be ennobled and blessed....
Encouragement to ChristianEffort.
... PHILANTHROPIC SUBJECTS. 822. " Encouragement to ChristianEffort. 822.
CM Lond. Inquirer. Encouragement to ChristianEffort....
Inter-Sunday SchoolEffort for Boys
... XII INTER-SUNDAY SCHOOLEFFORT FOR BOYS. This volume... local school. The Sunday
school must become city-wide in its scope andeffort....
CM Anonymous.Effort.
... CM Anonymous.Effort. 1 Scorn not the slightest word or deed, Nor deem it void of
power; There's fruit in each wind-wafted seed, That waits its natal hour....
ContinualEffort was Made to have Me Married. ...
... Book VI Chapter XIII Continualeffort was made to have me married.? Continual
effort was made to have me married. I wooed, I was...
Of the MainEffort Towards the Contemplation of Things and an...
... I. First Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter VIII. Of the maineffort towards the
contemplation of things and an illustration from the case of Martha and Mary....
ActiveEffort to do Good.
... PHILANTHROPIC SUBJECTS. 772. " ActiveEffort to do Good. 772. SM Montgomery.
ActiveEffort to do Good. 1 Sow in the morn thy...
Thesaurus
Effort (16 Occurrences)... in performing an act or aiming at an object; more or less strenuous endeavor; struggle
directed to the accomplishment of an object; as, an
effort to scale a
...Labor (181 Occurrences)
... Physical toil or bodily exertion, especially when fatiguing, irksome, or unavoidable,
in distinction from sportive exercise; hard, musculareffort directed to...
Work (4564 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Exertion of strength or faculties; physical or intellectualeffort directed
to an end; industrial activity; toil; employment; sometimes, specifically...
Strain (5 Occurrences)
... 4. (v.) To draw with force; to extend with greateffort; to stretch; as, to strain
a rope; to strain the shrouds of a ship; to strain the cords of a musical...
Reach (63 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To retch. 2. (n.) Aneffort to vomit.... 7. (vt) Hence, to extend an action,
effort, or influence to; to penetrate to; to pierce, or cut, as far as....
Relax (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) To make less severe or rigorous; to abate the stringency of; to remit in
respect to strenuousness, earnestness, oreffort; as, to relax discipline; to...
Contention (24 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A violenteffort or struggle to obtain,
or to resist, something; contest; strife. 2. (n.) Strife...
Attempt (23 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To attack; to make aneffort or attack upon; to try to take by force; as,
to attempt the enemy's camp. 5. (vi) To make an attempt; -- with upon....
Heave (25 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To cause to move upward or onward by a liftingeffort; to lift; to raise;
to hoist; -- often with up; as, the wave heaved the boat on land....
Gnaw (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To bite, as something hard or tough, which is not readily separated or crushed;
to bite off little by little, witheffort; to wear or eat away by...
Resources
What does it mean to be saved by grace? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Noble Eightfold Path? | GotQuestions.orgIn what ways is the Christian life like the Olympics? | GotQuestions.orgEffort: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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