Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, laborers are often depicted as individuals engaged in physical work, particularly in agriculture, construction, and other forms of manual labor. The Bible provides numerous references to laborers, emphasizing themes of diligence, fairness, and the spiritual significance of work.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Old Testament frequently addresses the role and treatment of laborers. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, laborers were essential for the cultivation of land and the harvesting of crops. The Law of Moses includes specific instructions regarding the fair treatment of laborers. For instance,
Leviticus 19:13 commands, "You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand." This underscores the importance of justice and timely compensation for laborers.
The book of Proverbs also highlights the virtues of hard work and diligence.
Proverbs 14:23 states, "There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty." This verse reflects the biblical principle that labor is honorable and productive, contrasting it with idleness and empty words.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, Jesus often used the imagery of laborers in His parables to convey spiritual truths. One notable example is the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (
Matthew 20:1-16). In this parable, a landowner hires laborers at different times throughout the day but pays them all the same wage. This account illustrates the kingdom of heaven's principles of grace and divine generosity, challenging human notions of fairness and merit.
Jesus also emphasized the spiritual dimension of labor in His teachings. In
Matthew 9:37-38, He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest." Here, laborers symbolize those who work for the spread of the Gospel, highlighting the urgency and importance of evangelistic efforts.
The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the theme of labor in his epistles. In
1 Corinthians 3:9, he writes, "For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building." Paul views believers as co-laborers with God, participating in the spiritual work of building the church and advancing God's kingdom.
Ethical and Spiritual ImplicationsThe Bible consistently upholds the dignity of labor and the ethical treatment of laborers. Employers are admonished to treat their workers with fairness and respect, as seen in
Colossians 4:1: "Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven." This principle extends to all forms of employment, advocating for justice and equity in the workplace.
Moreover, the Bible encourages laborers to work diligently and with integrity, as unto the Lord.
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 highlights the spiritual significance of work, viewing it as an act of worship and service to God.
In summary, the biblical portrayal of laborers encompasses both practical and spiritual dimensions, emphasizing the value of work, the importance of fair treatment, and the call to participate in God's redemptive mission.
Greek
2040. ergates -- a workman... See 2041 (). Word Origin from ergazomai Definition a workman NASB Word Usage laborer
(2),
laborers (6), worker (1), workers (4), workman (1), workmen (1).
...Strong's Hebrew
4522. mas -- body of forcedlaborers, forced service, taskworkers...... body of forced
laborers, forced service, taskworkers, taskwork, serfdom.
Transliteration: mas or mis Phonetic Spelling: (mas) Short Definition: labor.
...5647. abad -- to work, serve
... cultivated (2), cultivates (1), do (6), do the work (1), enslaved (3), given (1),
holding in bondage (1), imposed (1), keep (2), labor (3),laborers* (2), make...
6213a. asah -- do, make
... perform (1), industrious* (1), inflict (1), inflicted (1), inlaid (1), instituted
(2), introduced (2), keep (1), kept (1), labored (1),laborers (1), made (369...
Library
ForLaborers in God's Harvest.
... ASSOCIATIONS, CONVENTIONS, AND MISSIONARY MEETINGS. 723. " ForLaborers in God's
Harvest. 723. LM Episcopal Coll. ForLaborers in God's Harvest....
The Parable of the vineyard.
... "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was a householder, who went
out early in the morning to hirelaborers into his vineyard....
American Board of Foreign Missions.
... two; of printers, eleven; of bookbinders, one; of female helpers, married and unmarried,
one hundred and thirty-nine;"making a total oflaborers beyond sea...
Matt. Ix. 27-30.
... Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but thelaborers
are few, pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth...
The First Stages. Ch. 9:51 to 13:21
... his face into every city and place, whither he himself was about to come.2 And he
said unto them, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but thelaborers are few...
Athor, the Golden
... There he made a difficult ascent of the fronts facing the Nile and reached his
block of stone without approaching the hamlet oflaborers....
Prayer and Labor for the Gathering of the Great Harvest.
... Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but
thelaborers are few. Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the...
The Value of Life
... For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was a householder, who went
out early in the morning to hirelaborers into his vineyard....
On Singing and Music.
... by our Saviour, when He said, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth
nothing," was steadily kept in view by George Fox and his fellowlaborers....
God, when one Believes in Him as You and I Do...
... proprietors of the soil, and proprietors of houses; of investments, of handicrafts,
of merchants, of manufacturers, of farmers; of day-laborers becoming farmers...
Thesaurus
Laborers (19 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Laborers (19 Occurrences). Matthew 9:37 Then he said to
his disciples, "The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the
laborers are few.
...Fellow-laborers (2 Occurrences)
Fellow-laborers. Fellow-laborer, Fellow-laborers. Fellowlabourer .
Multi-Version Concordance Fellow-laborers (2 Occurrences)....
Hire (48 Occurrences)
... (a) As a verb it means "to hire" for a wage, either money or something else; in
this sense it is used with regard to ordinarylaborers (1 Samuel 2:5 2...
Vineyard (69 Occurrences)
... Matthew 20:1 "For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household,
who went out early in the morning to hirelaborers for his vineyard....
Plentiful (17 Occurrences)
... Plentiful (17 Occurrences). Matthew 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest
indeed is plentiful, but thelaborers are few. (WEB WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Steward (23 Occurrences)
... In the parable of theLaborers in the Vineyard, it is the steward who pays thelaborers
at the close of the day (Matthew 20:8). The parable of the Unjust...
Indeed (628 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT). Matthew 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, "The
harvest indeed is plentiful, but thelaborers are few. (WEB ASV YLT)....
Plenteous (16 Occurrences)
... Luke 10:2 And he said unto them, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but thelaborers
are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth...
Pay (212 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 20:2 When he had agreed with
thelaborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. (See NIV)....
Disciples (277 Occurrences)
... Jesus was perhaps employing all whose experience and sympathy made them fit for
work in the harvest that was so plenteous while thelaborers were few....
Resources
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a spiritual harvest and how can I achieve one? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a yokefellow in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgLaborers: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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