Topical Encyclopedia
The term "laboured" in the Bible often refers to the physical, mental, or spiritual exertion undertaken by individuals in the pursuit of fulfilling God's will, providing for their families, or serving others. It is a concept deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting the human condition post-Fall and the divine mandate to work.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, labor is introduced early in the narrative of Genesis. After the Fall, God tells Adam, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground" (
Genesis 3:19). This pronouncement marks the beginning of labor as a necessary part of human existence, intertwined with the consequences of sin.
The Israelites' experience in Egypt is another significant context where labor is highlighted. The Egyptians subjected the Israelites to harsh labor, as described in
Exodus 1:13-14: "They worked the Israelites ruthlessly and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields." This oppressive labor underscores the theme of bondage and the need for divine deliverance.
Wisdom LiteratureThe wisdom literature of the Old Testament, particularly Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, offers insights into the nature and value of labor.
Proverbs 14:23 states, "In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." This reflects the biblical principle that diligent work is rewarded, while idleness leads to lack.
Ecclesiastes presents a more nuanced view, acknowledging the toil and sometimes seemingly futile nature of labor.
Ecclesiastes 2:11 observes, "Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." This perspective invites reflection on the ultimate purpose and fulfillment found in labor.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, labor takes on a spiritual dimension, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the apostles. Jesus Himself labored in His ministry, often withdrawing to solitary places to pray after periods of intense teaching and healing (
Mark 1:35).
The Apostle Paul frequently uses the metaphor of labor to describe his ministry efforts. In
1 Corinthians 15:10, he states, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." Here, Paul acknowledges both his own efforts and the enabling grace of God in his labors.
Paul also exhorts believers to labor in love and good works. In
1 Thessalonians 1:3, he commends the Thessalonians for their "work of faith, labor of love, and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." This highlights the Christian calling to labor not only for material needs but also for spiritual growth and the edification of the church.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, labor is seen as both a consequence of the Fall and a means of participating in God's creative and redemptive work. It is an opportunity to reflect God's image through creativity, stewardship, and service. The Bible encourages believers to view their labor as an act of worship, done "heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" (
Colossians 3:23).
In summary, the concept of "laboured" in the Bible encompasses a wide range of human experiences and divine purposes, from the toil of daily work to the spiritual labor of ministry and service. It is a reminder of the dignity of work and the call to labor with purpose and hope in the Lord.
Strong's Hebrew
3022. yaga -- a gain... earnings as the product of toil. From yaga'; earnings (as the product of toil);
-that which he
laboured for. see HEBREW yaga'. 3021, 3022. yaga. 3023 .
...Library
That not the Apostle Only, but those Two who were with Him...
... Prolegomena. Chapter IX. That not the Apostle only, but those two who were
with himlaboured with their own hands. And he testifies...
That for this Reason the ApostleLaboured with his Own Hands, that...
... Prolegomena. Chapter X. That for this reason the Apostlelaboured with his
own hands, that he might set us an example of work. "Not...
Persis
... ROMANS PERSIS. 'Salute the beloved Persis, wholaboured much in the
Lord.'"Romans 16:12. There are a great number of otherwise...
Declension from First Love
... them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: and hast
borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hastlaboured, and hast not...
On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 2, "The Harvest Truly is...
... For in this husbandry did he labour, who said, "Ilaboured more than they all."
[3263] But the strength to labour was given him by the Lord of the harvest....
He Repels the Calumny Concerning the Acceptance of Persons.
... And in that parable of the labourers, indeed, where they received one denarius who
laboured for one hour, as well as those wholaboured twelve times as long...
The Same Continued. The Monk Pelagius. Grace is Conferred on the...
... he derive his proof, that "His grace bestowed on himself was not in vain," except
from the fact which he goes on to mention: "But Ilaboured more abundantly...
The Second Sign in Galilee.
... another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye have notlaboured: others
havelaboured, and ye are entered into their labour. And...
Good Works
... Welaboured when here the Sabbath morning before last, to let you know the difference
between the two covenants, the covenant of grace and the covenant of works...
Against the Heresy of one Noetus.
... this is God, who is the only One, and who afterwards did show Himself, and conversed
with men." And in another place he says, "Egypt hathlaboured; and the...
Thesaurus
Laboured (34 Occurrences)...Laboured (34 Occurrences).
... (DBY YLT). John 4:38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye
bestowed no labour: other men
laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
...Labour (119 Occurrences)
... (WEY). John 4:38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men
laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. (KJV WEY DBY YLT)....
Reaped (9 Occurrences)
... Reaped (9 Occurrences). John 4:38 I sent you to reap that on which ye have notlaboured;
otherslaboured, and ye into their labour have entered. (See NIV)....
Strenuously (6 Occurrences)
... But she strenuously maintained that it was true. "It is his guardian angel," they
said. (WEY). Romans 16:6 to Mary who haslaboured strenuously among you; (WEY)...
Vexation (36 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and
on the labour that I hadlaboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and...
Wage (39 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 49:4 And I said, 'For a vain thing Ilaboured, For emptiness and vanity my
power I consumed, But my judgment 'is' with Jehovah, And my wage with my God....
Labourer (8 Occurrences)
Consume (136 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:39 vineyards thou dost plant, and hastlaboured, and wine thou
dost not drink nor gather, for the worm doth consume it; (YLT)....
Labors (27 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Ecclesiastes 2:20 Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair
concerning all the labour wherein I hadlaboured under the sun. (See RSV)....
Labourers (11 Occurrences)
... (KJV). Philippians 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women
whichlaboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my...
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