The concept of "toiling" in the Bible often refers to laborious work, effort, and the struggles associated with human labor. It is a theme that runs throughout Scripture, reflecting the human condition post-Fall and the divine mandate for work.

Old Testament Context

The notion of toil is introduced early in the biblical narrative. In Genesis 3:17-19 , after the Fall, God pronounces a curse upon the ground because of Adam's sin, saying, "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." This passage highlights the shift from the ease of work in the Garden of Eden to the laborious toil that characterizes human existence outside of it.

In Ecclesiastes, the Preacher reflects on the futility and weariness of toil. Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 states, "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." Here, toil is depicted as a burdensome and often fruitless endeavor, emphasizing the vanity of life without divine purpose.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, toil is often associated with the labor of ministry and the Christian life. The Apostle Paul frequently uses the term to describe his own efforts in spreading the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 15:10 , Paul writes, "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, toil is seen as a necessary part of the apostolic mission, empowered by God's grace.

Similarly, in 2 Thessalonians 3:8 , Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his example, saying, "nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil we worked night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you." This passage underscores the importance of self-sufficiency and hard work in the Christian community.

Theological Implications

Theologically, toil is a reminder of the brokenness of the world due to sin and the human need for redemption. It points to the reality that while work is a divine ordinance, it is also marred by the Fall. However, through Christ, believers are called to a new understanding of work and toil. Colossians 3:23-24 encourages Christians, "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."

In this light, toil is not merely a burden but an opportunity to serve God and others, reflecting the redemptive work of Christ in transforming all aspects of life, including labor.(imp. & p. p.) of Toil.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 ...
/hebrew/3021.htm - 6k

Demonstration x. --Of Pastors.
... Jacob fed the sheep of Laban, and guarded them and toiled and was watchful,
and so received the reward. For Jacob said to Laban:"Lo! ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration x of pastors.htm

Blessed be He who was Baptized that He Might Baptize You, that Ye ...
... To the author who has toiled in words,"be reconciliation in rest!"to the teacher
who has toiled with voice,"be forgiveness through grace!"to the priest ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vi blessed be he.htm

John Chapter v. 19
... For, in reality, God cannot be said to have toiled, who "said, and they were done."
Who is there that, after such facility of work, desires to rest as if after ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xx john chapter v.htm

Jesus Talks with a Samaritan Woman
... For here the proverb holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap
a harvest for which you had not toiled; other men have toiled and you are ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus talks with a samaritan.htm

The Miraculous Draught of Fishes. --Effect of the Miracle On
... him. Some fishermen who had toiled all night and brought up nothing but
empty nets, had left their vessels fastened near the shore. ...
/.../section 114 the miraculous draught.htm

Love Constraining to Obedience.
... How long beneath the law I lay. In bondage and distress! I toiled the precept to
obey,. But toiled without success. Then to abstain from outward sin. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 62 love constraining to.htm

Christ among the Common Things of Life
... Remember that wherever there is toil, there is the Christ who toiled; and there
you should be, with the kind glance, the warm hand-grasp, and the loving warmth ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/dawson christ among the.htm

Under the Apple Tree. "I Sat Down under his Shadow with Great ...
... You toiled and toiled, like the men that were in the vessel with Jonah when they
rowed hard to bring their ship to land, but could not, for the sea wrought and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/under the apple tree i sat.htm

A Stanza of Deliverance
... They toiled, they toiled, they toiled; and when Moses came and talked to them about
freedom, at first they listened, and they hoped; but in a few hours they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/a stanza of deliverance.htm

The People's Christ
... He was not brought up as the lordling, to look with disdain on every one; but his
father being a carpenter, doubtless he toiled in his father's workshop. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the peoples christ.htm

Toiled (13 Occurrences)
...Toiled (13 Occurrences). ... (WEY). Revelation 2:3 and thou didst bear, and hast endurance,
and because of my name hast toiled, and hast not been weary. (YLT). ...
/t/toiled.htm - 10k

Toiling (8 Occurrences)
... 2 Thessalonians 3:8 nor did we eat any one's bread without paying for it, but we
laboured and toiled, working hard night and day in order not to be a burden to ...
/t/toiling.htm - 8k

Toil (66 Occurrences)
... 2 Thessalonians 3:8 nor did we eat any one's bread without paying for it, but we
laboured and toiled, working hard night and day in order not to be a burden to ...
/t/toil.htm - 25k

Nevertheless (153 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night,
and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. ...
/n/nevertheless.htm - 37k

Latter (91 Occurrences)
... Revelation 2:19 I know your doings, your love, your faith, your service, and your
patient endurance; and that of late you have toiled harder than you did at ...
/l/latter.htm - 34k

Late (24 Occurrences)
... Revelation 2:19 I know your doings, your love, your faith, your service, and your
patient endurance; and that of late you have toiled harder than you did at ...
/l/late.htm - 14k

Laboured (34 Occurrences)
... 2 Thessalonians 3:8 nor did we eat any one's bread without paying for it, but we
laboured and toiled, working hard night and day in order not to be a burden to ...
/l/laboured.htm - 16k

Wolf (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Fig.: Any very ravenous, rapacious, or destructive person or thing; especially,
want; starvation; as, they toiled hard to keep the wolf from the door. ...
/w/wolf.htm - 13k

Fisherman (1 Occurrence)
... They often toiled for hours without success, and yet were always ready to try once
more (Luke 5:5 John 21:3). Such men, when impelled by the same spirit as ...
/f/fisherman.htm - 9k

Fisher (1 Occurrence)
... They often toiled for hours without success, and yet were always ready to try once
more (Luke 5:5 John 21:3). Such men, when impelled by the same spirit as ...
/f/fisher.htm - 10k

Summary of the Book of Ecclesiastes - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about moderation? | GotQuestions.org

Can I really do all things through Christ? | GotQuestions.org

Toiled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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