Topical Encyclopedia Definition and General Overview:Toil refers to laborious effort, hard work, or struggle, often associated with physical or mental exertion. In the biblical context, toil is frequently connected to the consequences of sin, the human condition post-Fall, and the pursuit of sustenance and survival. It is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, illustrating both the burdens of life and the dignity of labor. Biblical References: 1. Genesis 3:17-19: The concept of toil is introduced in the Bible following the Fall of Man. After Adam and Eve's disobedience, God pronounces a curse upon the ground, making it difficult for Adam to cultivate. "Cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread until you return to the ground, because out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return." 2. Ecclesiastes 1:3: The Preacher reflects on the futility of toil, questioning its ultimate value. "What does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun?" This verse highlights the existential struggle and the seeming vanity of human efforts apart from God. 3. Ecclesiastes 2:22-23: Further exploring the theme, the Preacher laments the burdensome nature of toil. "For what does a man get for all the toil and striving with which he labors 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." 4. Proverbs 14:23: The wisdom literature of the Bible acknowledges the value of hard work. "There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty." This verse underscores the practical benefits of diligent work, contrasting it with idle chatter. 5. Psalm 127:1-2: The psalmist emphasizes the necessity of God's blessing in human endeavors. "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved." This passage highlights the futility of toil without divine favor. Theological Implications: Toil is often seen as a consequence of the Fall, a reminder of humanity's separation from the original harmony with God. It serves as a symbol of the struggle inherent in a world marred by sin. However, toil is not without purpose or redemption. The Bible presents work as a means of provision, character development, and service to others. In the New Testament, toil is redefined through the lens of Christ's redemptive work. Believers are encouraged to labor not for earthly gain alone but for eternal rewards. 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." Practical Application: Christians are called to approach toil with a balanced perspective, recognizing both its challenges and its potential for good. While acknowledging the burdens of work, believers are encouraged to find joy and purpose in their labor, viewing it as an opportunity to glorify God and serve others. The biblical view of toil invites a reliance on God's strength and provision, transforming mundane tasks into acts of worship and stewardship. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A net or snare; any thread, web, or string spread for taking prey; -- usually in the plural.2. (v. i.) To exert strength with pain and fatigue of body or mind, especially of the body, with efforts of some continuance or duration; to labor; to work. 3. (v. t.) To weary; to overlabor. 4. (v. t.) To labor; to work; -- often with out. 5. (v.) Labor with pain and fatigue; labor that oppresses the body or mind, esp. the body. Greek 2872. kopiao -- to grow weary, toil ... to grow weary, toil. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kopiao Phonetic Spelling: (kop-ee-ah'-o) Short Definition: I grow weary, toil Definition: (a) I grow ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2872.htm - 8k 2873. kopos -- laborious toil 3449. mochthos -- toil, hardship 1278. diaponeomai -- to toil through, to be worn out or annoyed 3433. molis -- with difficulty 4192. ponos -- labor 928. basanizo -- to torture 3425. mogis -- hardly. 2669. kataponeo -- to wear down 2123. eukopoteros -- with easier labor Strong's Hebrew 6093. itstsabon -- a pain, toil... 6092, 6093. itstsabon. 6094 . a pain, toil. Transliteration: itstsabon Phonetic Spelling: (its-tsaw-bone') Short Definition: toil. ... /hebrew/6093.htm - 6k 5999. amal -- trouble, labor, toil 8383. teun -- toil 3021. yaga -- to toil, grow or be weary 3018. yegia -- toil, product 5998. amal -- to labor, toil 6089a. etseb -- a hurt, pain, toil 6089. etseb -- a hurt, pain, toil 2959. tarach -- to toil, be burdened 3022. yaga -- a gain Library Vain Toil Toil and Rest. September 8. Days of Toil and Trial That no Toil is Worthy to be Compared with the Promised Bliss. Of the Miseries of this Life which Attach Peculiarly to the Toil ... The Rest Giver Ode on the Installation of the Duke of Devonshire, Chancellor of ... The Practical Side of Religion Acts of Peter and Andrew. There's More of God Since Jesus Went Back. Thesaurus Toil (66 Occurrences)... the body. Multi-Version Concordance Toil (66 Occurrences). ... They don't toil, neither do they spin, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). ... /t/toil.htm - 25k Labor (181 Occurrences) Travail (54 Occurrences) Work (4564 Occurrences) Toiled (13 Occurrences) Pain (172 Occurrences) Lilies (15 Occurrences) Grow (139 Occurrences) Weary (77 Occurrences) Preacher (27 Occurrences) Resources Is it wrong for a Christian to have the goal of being rich and famous? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of travail in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is the meaning of the Parable of the Rich Fool? | GotQuestions.org Toil: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Toil (66 Occurrences)Matthew 6:28 Luke 12:27 1 Corinthians 4:12 1 Corinthians 15:58 2 Corinthians 6:5 2 Corinthians 11:27 Ephesians 4:28 Philippians 2:16 Philippians 4:3 Colossians 1:29 1 Thessalonians 2:9 2 Thessalonians 3:8 1 Timothy 4:10 Revelation 2:2 Genesis 3:17 Genesis 5:29 Genesis 31:42 Genesis 41:51 Deuteronomy 26:7 Joshua 7:3 2 Samuel 12:31 Job 9:29 Job 10:17 Job 14:14 Job 20:18 Job 24:5 Psalms 90:10 Psalms 105:44 Psalms 109:11 Psalms 127:2 Proverbs 5:10 Proverbs 10:22 Proverbs 14:23 Proverbs 23:4 Ecclesiastes 1:3 Ecclesiastes 1:8 Ecclesiastes 2:10 Ecclesiastes 2:11 Ecclesiastes 2:18 Ecclesiastes 2:20 Ecclesiastes 2:21 Ecclesiastes 2:22 Ecclesiastes 2:24 Ecclesiastes 3:9 Ecclesiastes 3:10 Ecclesiastes 3:13 Ecclesiastes 4:4 Ecclesiastes 4:6 Ecclesiastes 4:8 Ecclesiastes 4:9 Ecclesiastes 5:15 Ecclesiastes 5:18 Ecclesiastes 5:19 Ecclesiastes 6:7 Ecclesiastes 8:15 Ecclesiastes 8:17 Ecclesiastes 9:9 Ecclesiastes 10:15 Isaiah 43:23 Isaiah 43:24 Jeremiah 20:18 Jeremiah 51:58 Lamentations 3:5 Ezekiel 24:12 Habakkuk 2:13 Haggai 2:17 Subtopics Related Terms |