Topical Encyclopedia
The term "labored" in the Bible often refers to the physical, mental, or spiritual exertion required in various aspects of life. It is a concept that appears throughout Scripture, illustrating the human condition and the divine expectation of diligence and perseverance.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, labor is frequently associated with the toil and effort required in daily life, particularly in an agrarian society.
Genesis 3:17-19 describes the curse upon Adam, where God declares that man will eat from the ground through painful toil all the days of his life. This passage highlights the introduction of labor as a consequence of sin, emphasizing the struggle inherent in human existence.
Ecclesiastes often reflects on the futility and weariness of labor.
Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 states, "For what does a man get for all the labor and endeavors at which he toils under the sun? Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile." Here, the Preacher contemplates the temporary and often unsatisfying nature of earthly labor, pointing to the need for a higher purpose.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, labor takes on a broader spiritual dimension. Jesus speaks to the burden of labor in
Matthew 11:28-30 , saying, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." Here, Christ offers spiritual rest and relief from the burdens of life, inviting believers to find solace in Him.
The Apostle Paul frequently addresses labor in the context of ministry and the Christian life. In
1 Corinthians 15:58 , he encourages believers, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." Paul emphasizes that labor for the Lord has eternal significance, contrasting it with the temporal nature of earthly toil.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, labor is seen as both a consequence of the Fall and a means of fulfilling God's purposes. While labor can be burdensome, it is also an opportunity for stewardship and service.
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 underscores the idea that all labor, when done for the Lord, is meaningful and rewarded by God.
Practical ApplicationBelievers are called to approach labor with diligence and integrity, recognizing it as a form of worship and service.
Proverbs 14:23 states, "There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty." This wisdom literature encourages hard work and warns against idleness, reflecting the biblical principle that labor is both necessary and beneficial.
In summary, the concept of labor in the Bible encompasses the physical, mental, and spiritual efforts required in life. It serves as a reminder of the human condition post-Fall, the redemptive work of Christ, and the eternal value of labor done in service to God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp. & p. p.) of Labor.
2. (a.) Bearing marks of labor and effort; elaborately wrought; not easy or natural; as, labored poetry; a labored style.
Greek
2872. kopiao -- to grow weary, toil... Word Origin from kopos Definition to grow weary, toil NASB Word Usage diligently
labor (1), grown weary (1), hard-working (1), labor (3),
labored (4), labors (1
...Strong's Hebrew
6001b. amel -- toiling... 6001a, 6001b. amel. 6002 . toiling. Transliteration: amel Short Definition:
labored. Word Origin from amal Definition toiling NASB
...5998. amal -- to labor, toil
... 5997, 5998. amal. 5999 . to labor, toil. Transliteration: amal Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-mal') Short Definition:labored. Word Origin a prim....
5301. naphach -- to breathe, blow
... root Definition to breathe, blow NASB Word Usage blow (3), blows (1), boiling (2),
breathe (1), breathed (1), breathing islabored* (1), disdainfully sniff (1...
3021. yaga -- to toil, grow or be weary
... root Definition to toil, grow or be weary NASB Word Usage become weary (1), get
tired (1), labor (1),labored (4), tired (3), toil (4), toiled (1), wearied (4...
6213a. asah -- do, make
... 1), indeed perform (1), industrious* (1), inflict (1), inflicted (1), inlaid (1),
instituted (2), introduced (2), keep (1), kept (1),labored (1), laborers (1...
Library
A Warning Rejected
... In preaching the doctrine of the second advent, William Miller and his associates
hadlabored with the sole purpose of arousing men to a preparation for the...
A Warning Rejected.
... In preaching the doctrine of the second advent, William Miller and his associates
hadlabored with the sole purpose of arousing men to a preparation for the...
The Epistles of Paul
... On this first journey theylabored on the island of Cyprus and in Pisidian Antioch,
Iconium, Lystra and Derbe, preaching the Gospel and working miracles....
Preface.
... Moody, Sankey, Whittle, and the late lamented PP Bliss, the four evangelists who
have so long and industriouslylabored together, and whose names conjoined...
Miscellaneous Subjects.
... extended privilege to all, though not expected of all, as we see in 1:Cor.12:29:
"Are all prophets?" Paul expressly mentions those women whichlabored with him...
Election.
... I have been surprised at thelabored and learned efforts to show that this doctrine
is not expressly taught in the Bible. Suppose it were not, what then?...
The First Successors of the Apostles.
... Against the tradition that helabored during his later years in Ephesus there is
nothing to be urged; though on the other hand the evidence for it amounts to...
Various Experiences in Gospel Work
... James, Mo. We hadlabored there but a short time when Brother Warner and
his company came to the town to hold a camp-meeting. When...
Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Paul's Witness to Christ's...
... the church of God.10 But by the grace of God I am what I:am: and his grace which
was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but Ilabored more abundantly than...
Nor Indeed Hath the Holy Spirit Failed to Speak what Should be of...
... vineyard is ended? whether it be to those who havelabored from the first
hour, or to those who havelabored one hour? [2070] What...
Thesaurus
Labored (35 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Bearing marks of labor and effort; elaborately wrought; not easy or natural;
as,
labored poetry; a
labored style.
...Labored (35 Occurrences).
...Syntyche (1 Occurrence)
... mind in the Lord." The apostle also entreats an unnamed Christian at Philippi, whom
he terms "true yokefellow," to "help these women, for theylabored with me...
Laboured (34 Occurrences)
... Joshua 24:13 And I gave you a land whereon thou hadst notlabored, and cities which
ye built not, and ye dwell therein; of vineyards and oliveyards which ye...
Greet (46 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Romans 16:6 Greet Mary, wholabored much for us.... Greet
Persis, the beloved, wholabored much in the Lord. (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV)....
Reap (35 Occurrences)
... John 4:38 I sent you to reap that for which you haven'tlabored. Others
havelabored, and you have entered into their labor." (WEB...
Pant (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To breathe quickly or in alabored manner, as after exertion or from eagerness
or excitement; to respire with heaving of the breast; to gasp....
Persis (1 Occurrence)
... Paul designates her "the beloved, wholabored much in the Lord." The name is not
found in inscriptions of the imperial household, but it occurs as the name of...
Benefits (12 Occurrences)
... John 4:38 I sent you to reap that for which you haven'tlabored. Others have
labored, and you have entered into their labor." (See NIV)....
Haven't (87 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). John 4:38 I sent you to reap that for which you haven'tlabored. Others
havelabored, and you have entered into their labor." (WEB)....
Labor (181 Occurrences)
... John 4:38 I sent you to reap that for which you haven'tlabored. Others havelabored,
and you have entered into their labor." (Root in WEB ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Resources
What is a yokefellow in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about finding satisfaction in life? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does Exodus 35:2 require the death penalty for working on the Sabbath? | GotQuestions.orgLabored: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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