Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of employment in the Bible is closely tied to the principles of work, stewardship, and service. The Scriptures provide numerous insights into the nature of work and the responsibilities of both employers and employees, emphasizing diligence, integrity, and the ultimate purpose of glorifying God through one's labor.
Biblical Foundation of WorkThe Bible begins with God as the ultimate worker, creating the heavens and the earth (
Genesis 1:1). Humanity, made in the image of God, is called to participate in this divine activity.
Genesis 2:15 states, "Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it." This verse highlights the original purpose of work as a means of stewardship and care for God's creation.
Diligence and IntegrityThe Scriptures frequently commend diligence and integrity in work.
Proverbs 12:24 states, "The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor." This proverb underscores the value of hard work and the consequences of slothfulness. Similarly,
Colossians 3:23-24 instructs, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." This passage encourages believers to view their work as service to Christ, thereby infusing it with purpose and integrity.
Employer and Employee RelationshipsThe Bible addresses the dynamics between employers and employees, advocating for fairness and justice.
Ephesians 6:5-9 provides guidance for both parties: "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ... And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him." While the context of slavery differs from modern employment, the principles of mutual respect and accountability remain relevant.
Provision and ContentmentEmployment is also seen as a means of provision.
1 Timothy 5:8 emphasizes the responsibility to provide for one's family: "If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." This verse highlights the importance of work in fulfilling familial obligations. Additionally,
Philippians 4:11-13 speaks to contentment in all circumstances, reminding believers that their ultimate reliance is on Christ, not their employment status.
Service and WitnessWork is an avenue for service and witness to others.
Matthew 5:16 encourages believers, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Through their work, Christians have the opportunity to reflect God's character and share His love with those around them.
In summary, the Bible presents employment as a vital aspect of human life, rooted in the divine mandate to steward creation, characterized by diligence and integrity, and serving as a platform for provision, service, and witness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To enclose; to enfold.
2. (v. t.) To use; to have in service; to cause to be engaged in doing something; -- often followed by in, about, on, or upon, and sometimes by to; as: (a) To make use of, as an instrument, a means, a material, etc., for a specific purpose; to apply; as, to employ the pen in writing, bricks in building, words and phrases in speaking; to employ the mind; to employ one's energies.
3. (v. t.) To occupy; as, to employ time in study.
4. (v. t.) To have or keep at work; to give employment or occupation to; to entrust with some duty or behest; as, to employ a hundred workmen; to employ an envoy.
5. (n.) That which engages or occupies a person; fixed or regular service or business; employment.
Greek
3180. methodeia -- craft, deceit... Word Origin from methodeuo (to
employ craft) Definition craft, deceit NASB
Word Usage schemes (1), scheming (1). scheming, trickery.
...1247. diakoneo -- to serve, minister
... to serve, minister NASB Word Usage administered (1), administration (1), cared
(1), contributing...support (1), do...the serving (1),employ...in serving (1...
5530. chraomai -- to use, make use of
... rather from cheir, to handle); to furnish what is needed; (give an oracle, "graze"
(touch slightly), light upon, etc.), ie (by implication) toemploy or (by...
Strong's Hebrew
6440. panim -- face, faces... etc.) -- + accept, a-(be-)fore(-time), against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, +
because (of), + beseech, countenance, edge, +
employ, endure, + enquire
...6555. parats -- to break through
... away (1), breaks through (2), broke (1), broke down (1), broken (3), broken down
(5), broken through (2), destroyed (1), distributed (1),employ violence (1...
935. bo -- to come in, come, go in, go
... to pass), call, carry, X certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in,
out, upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, +employ, (cause to...
Library
That we are toEmploy in the Practice of Divine Love all the...
... HOLY LOVE. CHAPTER VI. THAT WE ARE TOEMPLOY IN THE PRACTICE OF DIVINE
LOVE ALL THE OCCASIONS THAT PRESENT THEMSELVES. There are...
In the Next Place, Speaking of those whoEmploy the Arts of Magic...
... Chapter XXXIX. In the next place, speaking of those whoemploy the arts
of magic and sorcery? In the next place, speaking of those...
The Other Passages of Scripture which theyEmploy to Defend their...
... Of Prayer. John Calvin Chapter 25 The other passages of Scripture which
theyemploy to defend their error are miserably wrested.?...
For we Inquire of all those whoEmploy Such Invocations of God...
... Chapter XXXIV. For we inquire of all those whoemploy such invocations of
God? For we inquire of all those whoemploy such invocations...
Enter his Gates with Songs of Joy, with Praises to his Courts...
... 3 Enter his gates with songs of joy, With praises to his courts repair, And make
it your divineemploy To pay your thanks and honours there....
What Kind of Religion that is which Teaches that Men Ought to...
... Chapter 18."What Kind of Religion that is Which Teaches that Men Ought toEmploy
the Advocacy of Demons in Order to Be Recommended to the Favor of the Good...
That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in...
... speak something to this point, That it is as unlawful for the subjects to associate
and join in arms with that party as it is for the parliament toemploy them...
Heaven.
... This love of Christ, if I may so say, will keep the saints in anemploy, even when
they are in heaven; though not anemploy, that is laborsome, tiresome...
On the Power of the Church in Delivering Doctrines
... the right of examining and forming a judgment upon doctrines, as to the kind of
spirit by which they have been proposed; in this, also she willemploy the rule...
Lutherans in New York.
... Yet, while denying the request of the Lutherans, they, at the same time, urged the
governor toemploy mildness and moderate means in dealing with them....
Thesaurus
Employ (6 Occurrences)... on, or upon, and sometimes by to; as: (a) To make use of, as an instrument, a means,
a material, etc., for a specific purpose; to apply; as, to
employ the pen
...Use (620 Occurrences)
... are in general use. 2. (vt) Occasion or need toemploy; necessity; as, to
have no further use for a book. 3. (vt) Yielding of service...
Lose (59 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) Not toemploy; toemploy ineffectually; to throw away; to waste; to squander;
as, to lose a day; to lose the benefits of instruction....
Employed (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofEmploy. Multi-Version Concordance
Employed (8 Occurrences). Matthew 25:16 Without delay...
Engage (20 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To gain over; to win and attach; to attract and hold; to draw. 4. (vt) To
employ the attention and efforts of; to occupy; to engross; to draw on....
Apply (19 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To put to use; to use oremploy for a particular purpose, or in a particular
case; to appropriate; to devote; as, to apply money to the payment of a...
Parable (52 Occurrences)
... The Epistles, although they oftenemploy rhetorical allegories and similes, make
absolutely no use of the parable, so common in Christ's pedagogical methods....
Varied (3 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). 1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift,employ it in serving one another,
as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. (See RSV)....
Utensils (72 Occurrences)
... shalt make its pots to cleanse it of the fat, its shovels, and its bowls, and its
forks, and its firepans; for all the utensils thereof thou shaltemploy copper...
Occupy (25 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To possess or use the time or capacity of; to engage the service of; to
employ; to busy. 4. (vt) To do business in; to busy one's self with....
Resources
What is a Christian life coach, and is the concept biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Charles Finney? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Qur'an? | GotQuestions.orgEmploy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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