Definition and Context
The term "toils" refers to laborious effort, hard work, or the struggles and burdens associated with daily life. In the biblical context, toil often carries the connotation of the curse of labor that came as a result of the Fall of Man. It is associated with the physical and spiritual challenges that humanity faces in a fallen world.

Biblical References

1. Genesis 3:17-19
In the account of the Fall, God pronounces a curse upon Adam, which includes the toil of working the ground: "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 introduction of toil as a consequence of sin, marking a shift from the ease of life in the Garden of Eden to a life of labor and hardship.

2. Ecclesiastes 2:22-23
The Preacher in Ecclesiastes reflects on the futility 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." Here, toil is depicted as a source of weariness and dissatisfaction, emphasizing the vanity of human efforts apart from God.

3. Psalm 127:1-2
The psalmist acknowledges the futility of toil without divine blessing: "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 underscores the importance of relying on God rather than solely on human effort.

4. Proverbs 14:23
The wisdom literature of Proverbs offers a more positive view of toil: "In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." This suggests that while toil can be burdensome, it is also a means of achieving prosperity and fulfilling one's responsibilities.

5. Colossians 3:23-24
The New Testament provides guidance on the attitude believers should have towards toil: "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 encourages Christians to view their toil as service to God, imbuing their labor with purpose and eternal significance.

Theological Implications

Toil is a multifaceted concept in the Bible, reflecting both the consequences of sin and the potential for meaningful work. It serves as a reminder of humanity's fallen state and the need for redemption. However, through Christ, toil can be transformed into an act of worship and service, aligning human effort with divine purpose. The biblical narrative encourages believers to find balance, recognizing the limitations of human toil while trusting in God's provision and sovereignty.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

5999. amal -- trouble, labor, toil
... toil NASB Word Usage anguish (1), fruit of his labor (1), fruit of my labor (3),
labor (16), mischief (9), misery (1), sorry (1), toil (3), toils (1), trouble ...
/hebrew/5999.htm - 6k

5998. amal -- to labor, toil
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to labor, toil NASB Word Usage does (1), labor
(1), labored (4), laboriously (1), toils (2), work (1), works (1). ...
/hebrew/5998.htm - 6k

Are thy toils and woes increasing?
... Are thy toils and woes increasing? Methodius I, 836 ei kai ta paronta. Are thy
toils and woes increasing? Are the Foe's attacks unceasing? ...
/.../neale/hymns of the eastern church/are thy toils and woes.htm

Of the Toils which a Deserter from a Monastery must Undergo ...
... Chapter X. Of the toils which a deserter from a monastery must undergo through
covetousness, though he used formerly to murmur at the very slightest tasks. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter x of the toils.htm

The First Epistle. To all the Ministers of the Church Catholic.
... different from that which the apostles and their successors have held and taught,
lest (which may God forbid) going after him ye fall into the toils of Satan ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/the first epistle to all.htm

To Don Giovanni of the Cells of Vallombrosa
... It is time to give honour to God and our toils to our neighbour: toils, I say, of
the body, with much endurance, and toils of the mind, with grief and ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to don giovanni of the.htm

The Model Life.
... Many times we may become wearied and think the toils of the way almost too heavy;
but when we remember that it is the way that Jesus trod, then the heavens ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/the model life.htm

To Catarina of the Hospital and Giovanna Di Capo
... She can say as her last word, "Sweet daughters, now is the time for toils,
which must be our consolations in Christ crucified.". ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to catarina of the hospital.htm

On the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul (June 29).
... For although thou wert increased by many victories, and didst extend thy rule on
land and sea, yet what thy toils in war subdued is less than what the peace of ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lxxxii on the feast.htm

The Blessedness of the Martyr.
... says:". "But the anxious thoughts of youths, revolving with toils,. Will find glory:
and in time their deeds. ... says:". "To him who toils is due,. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vii the blessedness of the.htm

Acts of Peter and Andrew.
... hail, Andrew! My co-heirs, be courageous, and struggle for mankind; for verily I
say unto you, you shall endure toils in this world for mankind. ...
/.../unknown/acts of peter and andrew/acts of peter and andrew.htm

Demonstration x. --Of Pastors.
... Whosoever is watchful, and toils in behalf of his sheep, is careful for his flock,
and is the disciple of our Good Shepherd, who gave Himself in behalf of His ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration x of pastors.htm

Toils (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Toils (9 Occurrences). ... (WEY). Job 18:8 For he is cast into
a net by his own feet, And he walketh upon the toils. (See JPS ASV). ...
/t/toils.htm - 8k

Toiling (8 Occurrences)

/t/toiling.htm - 8k

Gin (10 Occurrences)
... And he walketh upon the toils. A gin shall take him by the heel, And a snare
shall lay hold on him, A noose is hid for him in the ground. ...
/g/gin.htm - 12k

Walks (51 Occurrences)
... to this day. (WEB DBY RSV). Job 18:8 For he is cast into a net by his own
feet, and he walketh upon the toils. (See RSV). Job 22:14 ...
/w/walks.htm - 20k

Toilsome (3 Occurrences)

/t/toilsome.htm - 7k

Deference (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 16:16 I beseech you, on your part, to show deference to such men,
and to every one who participates in their work and toils hard. (WEY). ...
/d/deference.htm - 7k

Participates (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 16:16 I beseech you, on your part, to show deference to such men,
and to every one who participates in their work and toils hard. (WEY). ...
/p/participates.htm - 7k

Saul (371 Occurrences)
... attended by a kind of bodyguard, "a band of men whose hearts God had touched." On
reaching his home he dismissed them, and resumed the quiet toils of his ...
/s/saul.htm - 76k

Beseech (85 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 16:16 I beseech you, on your part, to show deference to such men,
and to every one who participates in their work and toils hard. (WEY). ...
/b/beseech.htm - 31k

Polygamy
... 21:11). But he was in the toils of polygamy, and it brought him pain and
retribution. A Divine direction may be hard to bear. The ...
/p/polygamy.htm - 19k

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