Definition and Context: In the biblical context, "labors" refers to the physical, mental, and spiritual efforts exerted by individuals in various aspects of life. This encompasses work, toil, and the endeavors undertaken by people in obedience to God's commands, for personal sustenance, and for the benefit of others. The concept of labor is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, reflecting both the dignity and the challenges associated with human work.

Old Testament Insights: The concept of labor is introduced early in the Bible. In Genesis 2:15, God places Adam in the Garden of Eden "to work it and take care of it," indicating that labor was part of God's original design for humanity. However, after the Fall, labor became toilsome as a result of sin. Genesis 3:17-19 describes how the ground was cursed, and Adam would eat from it "through painful toil."

The wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, offers numerous insights into labor. Proverbs 14:23 states, "In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty," emphasizing the value of diligent work. Ecclesiastes 3:13 acknowledges labor as a gift from God: "That everyone may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God."

New Testament Teachings: The New Testament continues to affirm the importance of labor. Jesus Himself was known as a carpenter (Mark 6:3), and His parables often included references to laborers and work (e.g., Matthew 20:1-16). The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently addressed the topic of work. In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, he encourages believers "to work with your own hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one."

Paul also highlights the spiritual dimension of labor in Colossians 3:23-24: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, knowing that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." This passage underscores the idea that all labor, when done for the glory of God, has eternal significance.

Labor and Rest: The Bible also addresses the balance between labor and rest. The Sabbath commandment (Exodus 20:8-11) establishes a rhythm of work and rest, reflecting God's own rest after creation. Jesus, in Matthew 11:28-30, invites those who labor and are burdened to find rest in Him, offering a spiritual rest that complements physical rest.

Labor in the Early Church: The early church valued labor as a means of supporting oneself and others. Acts 20:34-35 records Paul's words to the Ephesian elders, where he reminds them of his own example of hard work to support the weak, quoting Jesus: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Eschatological Perspective: The Bible also presents an eschatological view of labor. In Revelation 14:13, it is written, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.'" This passage offers hope that the labors of the faithful will be rewarded in the life to come.

Conclusion: The biblical perspective on labor is multifaceted, recognizing it as both a divine mandate and a means of serving God and others. While labor is often associated with toil and hardship due to the Fall, it is also portrayed as a source of fulfillment and a way to honor God. The Scriptures encourage believers to approach their labors with diligence, integrity, and a heart oriented toward God's purposes.2872. kopiao -- to grow weary, toil
... 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), toil (4 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2872.htm - 8k

1217. demiourgos -- builder, maker, creator
... demiourgos Phonetic Spelling: (day-me-oor-gos') Short Definition: an artisan, builder
Definition: an artisan, builder, maker; one who labors for the public. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1217.htm - 7k

2873. kopos -- laborious toil
... Word Origin from kopto Definition laborious toil NASB Word Usage bother* (3),
bothers* (1), labor (7), labors (4), toil (2), trouble (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2873.htm - 7k

5450. siblah -- a burden
... Word Origin from sabal Definition a burden NASB Word Usage burdens (2), hard labor
(1), hard labors (1), labors (2). burden. From cebel; porterage -- burden. ...
/hebrew/5450.htm - 6k

6001. amel -- a laborer, sufferer
... 6000, 6001. amel. 6001a . a laborer, sufferer. Transliteration: amel
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-male') Short Definition: labors. that ...
/hebrew/6001.htm - 5k

6089a. etseb -- a hurt, pain, toil
... Word Origin from atsab Definition a hurt, pain, toil NASB Word Usage hard-earned
goods (1), harsh (1), labor (1), pain (1), painful labors (1), sorrow (1). ...
/hebrew/6089a.htm - 5k

6001b. amel -- toiling
... Word Origin from amal Definition toiling NASB Word Usage labored (2), laboring
(1), labors (1), toils (1). 6001a, 6001b. amel. 6002 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6001b.htm - 5k

4639. maaseh -- a deed, work
... chainwork* (1), concern (1), conduct (1), deed (4), deeds (17), design (4), did
(1), does (1), done (1), eventful (1), goods (2), just* (1), labors (2), made (2 ...
/hebrew/4639.htm - 6k

5656. abodah -- labor, service
... service NASB Word Usage bondage (4), construction (2), construction work (1), job
(2), kind of service (2), labor (9), laborious (12), labors (1), ministry (2 ...
/hebrew/5656.htm - 6k

3018. yegia -- toil, product
... Word Origin from yaga Definition toil, product NASB Word Usage fruit (1), labor
(5), labors (2), possessions (1), produce (1), product of his labor (1 ...
/hebrew/3018.htm - 6k

Of the Literary Labors of the Two Apollinares and the Emperor's ...
... Book III. Chapter XVI."Of the Literary Labors of the Two Apollinares and the Emperor's
Prohibition of Christians being instructed in Greek Literature. ...
/.../chapter xvi of the literary labors.htm

Apostolic Labors of John.
... Apostolic Labors of John. ... The later and most important labors of John are contained
in his writings, which we shall fully consider in another chapter. ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 42 apostolic labors of.htm

Labors in a New Field
... Chapter XI Labors in a New Field. ... Soon after we began our labors, I became afflicted
with the itch, which was then epidemic in that part of the country. ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xi labors in a.htm

Paul's Missionary Labors.
... CHAPTER V. ST. PAUL AND THE CONVERSION OF THE GENTILES. Section 33. Paul's
Missionary Labors. The public life of Paul, from the ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 33 pauls missionary labors.htm

Look we Then, Beloved, what Hardships in Labors and Sorrows Men ...
... 3. Look we then, beloved, what hardships in labors and sorrows men endure?
3. Look we then, beloved, what hardships in labors ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on patience /3 look we then beloved.htm

Extent and Character of Chrysostom's Exegetical Labors.
... II. Extent and Character of Chrysostom's Exegetical Labors. 1. The exegetical
labors of Chrysostom are embodied in his Homilies, of ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/ii extent and character of.htm

Continues to Evangelize. Dr. Cook's Prescription. Incident at ...
... The Fractious Preacher at Sonora. Closes his Evangelistic Labors. ... The Fractious
Preacher at Sonora. Closes his Evangelistic Labors. ...
/.../chapter xvi continues to evangelize.htm

For all the Saints, who from their Labors Rest
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Holy Days: All Saints 295. For all the saints, who from their
labors rest. 10.10.10.4 ... For all the saints, who from their labors rest,. ...
/.../holy days all saints 295.htm

Of the Nature of Regeneration, with Respect to the Change it ...
... DISCOURSE III. OF THE NATURE OF REGENERATION, WITH RESPECT TO THE CHANGE IT PRODUCES
IN MEN'S AFFECTIONS, RESOLUTIONS, LABORS, ENJOYMENTS AND HOPES. ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse iii of the nature.htm

The Church of Jerusalem and the Labors of Peter.
... CHAPTER IV. ST. PETER AND THE CONVERSION OF THE JEWS Section 25. The Church of
Jerusalem and the Labors of Peter. ... The Later Labors of Peter. ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 25 the church of.htm

Labors (27 Occurrences)
...Labors (27 Occurrences). John 4:38 I sent you to reap that on which ye bestowed
no labor: other men labored, and ye have entered into their labors. (WBS). ...
/l/labors.htm - 14k

Labor (181 Occurrences)
... from heaven saying, "Write,'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'"
"Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors; for their ...
/l/labor.htm - 38k

Laboring (8 Occurrences)
... n.) of Labor. 2. (a.) That labors; performing labor; esp., performing coarse, heavy
work, not requiring skill also, set apart for labor; as, laboring days. ...
/l/laboring.htm - 9k

Gatherest (4 Occurrences)
... Exodus 23:16 and the feast of harvest, the first-fruits of thy labors, which thou
sowest in the field: and the feast of ingathering, at the end of the year ...
/g/gatherest.htm - 7k

Imprisonments (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings,
in fastings; (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/i/imprisonments.htm - 7k

Ingathering (4 Occurrences)
... Exodus 23:16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labors, which thou
hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of ...
/i/ingathering.htm - 8k

Beatings (5 Occurrences)
... Beatings (5 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in
riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/b/beatings.htm - 7k

Crops (48 Occurrences)
... Exodus 23:16 And the feast of harvest, the first fruits of your labors, which you
sow in the field: and the feast of harvest, at the end of the year, when you ...
/c/crops.htm - 19k

Sowest (7 Occurrences)
... Exodus 23:16 and the feast of harvest, the first-fruits of thy labors, which thou
sowest in the field: and the feast of ingathering, at the end of the year ...
/s/sowest.htm - 8k

Celebrate (66 Occurrences)
... Exodus 23:16 And the feast of harvest, the first fruits of your labors, which you
sow in the field: and the feast of harvest, at the end of the year, when you ...
/c/celebrate.htm - 27k

How is Jesus our Sabbath Rest? | GotQuestions.org

Is working on Sunday a sin? | GotQuestions.org

What are some modern forms of idolatry? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus