Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Origin: Work, in the biblical context, refers to the physical and mental effort exerted to achieve a purpose or result. It is an integral part of human existence, established by God from the beginning of creation. In Genesis 2:15, God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden "to work it and take care of it," indicating that work was part of God's original design for humanity. Theological Significance: Work is seen as a divine mandate and a means of stewardship over God's creation. It is not merely a secular activity but a sacred duty that reflects God's character. In Exodus 20:9-10, the commandment to work for six days and rest on the seventh underscores the rhythm of work and rest established by God. The Apostle Paul reinforces this in Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Work and the Fall: The nature of work was affected by the Fall. Genesis 3:17-19 describes how work became toilsome as a result of sin: "Cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life." Despite this, work remains a fundamental aspect of human life, and believers are called to approach it with diligence and integrity. Work Ethic: The Bible emphasizes a strong work ethic. Proverbs 6:6-11 encourages diligence by pointing to the ant's industrious nature. Similarly, 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 warns against idleness, stating, "If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat." This underscores the importance of personal responsibility and the value of contributing to the community. Work and Worship: Work is an act of worship when done for the glory of God. Romans 12:1 urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, which includes their daily labor. The integration of faith and work is a recurring theme, as seen in Ephesians 6:7, "Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men." Work and Provision: God promises provision through work. In Deuteronomy 8:18, it is stated, "But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth." This highlights the belief that God enables individuals to work and provides for their needs through their labor. Work and Community: Work is also a means of serving others and building community. Acts 20:35 records Paul's words, "It is more blessed to give than to receive," encouraging believers to use their work to bless others. The early church exemplified this by sharing resources and supporting one another (Acts 2:44-45). Eschatological Perspective: In the eschatological vision, work is redeemed and finds its ultimate fulfillment. Isaiah 65:21-23 portrays a future where people will "build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit." This vision reflects the restoration of work to its intended purpose, free from the curse of sin. Conclusion: While work in the present age is marked by toil and struggle, it remains a vital aspect of human life and a means of glorifying God. Believers are called to approach their work with diligence, integrity, and a heart of service, reflecting the character of God in all they do. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Exertion of strength or faculties; physical or intellectual effort directed to an end; industrial activity; toil; employment; sometimes, specifically, physically labor.2. (n.) The matter on which one is at work; that upon which one spends labor; material for working upon; subject of exertion; the thing occupying one; business; duty; as, to take up one's work; to drop one's work. 3. (n.) That which is produced as the result of labor; anything accomplished by exertion or toil; product; performance; fabric; manufacture; in a more general sense, act, deed, service, effect, result, achievement, feat. 4. (n.) Specifically: (a) That which is produced by mental labor; a composition; a book; as, a work, or the works, of Addison. (b) Flowers, figures, or the like, wrought with the needle; embroidery. 5. (n.) Structures in civil, military, or naval engineering, as docks, bridges, embankments, trenches, fortifications, and the like; also, the structures and grounds of a manufacturing establishment; as, iron works; locomotive works; gas works. 6. (n.) The moving parts of a mechanism; as, the works of a watch. 7. (n.) Manner of working; management; treatment; as, unskillful work spoiled the effect. 8. (n.) The causing of motion against a resisting force. The amount of work is proportioned to, and is measured by, the product of the force into the amount of motion along the direction of the force. See Conservation of energy, under Conservation, Unit of work, under Unit, also Foot pound, Horse power, Poundal, and Erg. 9. (n.) Ore before it is dressed. 10. (n.) Performance of moral duties; righteous conduct. 11. (n.) To exert one's self for a purpose; to put forth effort for the attainment of an object; to labor; to be engaged in the performance of a task, a duty, or the like. 12. (n.) Hence, in a general sense, to operate; to act; to perform; as, a machine works well. 13. (n.) Hence, figuratively, to be effective; to have effect or influence; to conduce. 14. (n.) To carry on business; to be engaged or employed customarily; to perform the part of a laborer; to labor; to toil. 15. (n.) To be in a state of severe exertion, or as if in such a state; to be tossed or agitated; to move heavily; to strain; to labor; as, a ship works in a heavy sea. 16. (n.) To make one's way slowly and with difficulty; to move or penetrate laboriously; to proceed with effort; -- with a following preposition, as down, out, into, up, through, and the like; as, scheme works out by degrees; to work into the earth. 17. (n.) To ferment, as a liquid. 18. (n.) To act or operate on the stomach and bowels, as a cathartic. 19. (v. t.) To labor or operate upon; to give exertion and effort to; to prepare for use, or to utilize, by labor. 20. (v. t.) To produce or form by labor; to bring forth by exertion or toil; to accomplish; to originate; to effect; as, to work wood or iron into a form desired, or into a utensil; to work cotton or wool into cloth. 21. (v. t.) To produce by slow degrees, or as if laboriously; to bring gradually into any state by action or motion. 22. (v. t.) To influence by acting upon; to prevail upon; to manage; to lead. 23. (v. t.) To form with a needle and thread or yarn; especially, to embroider; as, to work muslin. 24. (v. t.) To set in motion or action; to direct the action of; to keep at work; to govern; to manage; as, to work a machine. 25. (v. t.) To cause to ferment, as liquor. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia WORK; WORKSwurk, wurks: "To work" in the Old Testament is usually the translation of `asah, or of pa`al (of the works both of God and of man), and "work" (noun) is most frequently the translation of ma`aseh, or mela'khah; in the New Testament of energeo, ergazomai (and compound), with ergon (noun). The word "works" (erga) is a favorite designation in John for the wonderful works of Jesus (5:36; 10:38; 15:24, etc.; "miracles" to us, "works" to Him). "Works" is used by Paul and James, in a special sense, as denoting (with Paul) those legal performances by means of which men sought to be accepted of God, in contradistinction to that faith in Christ through which the sinner is justified apart from all legal works (Romans 3:27; Romans 4:2, 6, etc.; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:2, 5, 10), "working through love" (Galatians 5:6 1 Thessalonians 1:3), and is fruitful in all truly "good works," in which Christian believers are expected to abound (2 Corinthians 9:8 Ephesians 2:10 Colossians 1:10 2 Thessalonians 2:17, etc.). When James speaks of being justified by "works" as well as by "faith" (2:14-26), he has in view those works which show faith to be real and vital. "Dead works" avail nothing (compare Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:24). Judgment is according to "works" (Matthew 16:27, the Revised Version (British and American) "deeds," margin "Greek: `doing' " praxis; Romans 2:6 1 Peter 1:17, etc.), the new life being therein evidenced. A contrast between "faith" and "good works" is never drawn in the New Testament. Greek 1754. energeo -- to be at work, to work, to do ... to be at work, to work, to do. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: energeo Phonetic Spelling: (en-erg-eh'-o) Short Definition: I work, accomplish, am ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1754.htm - 8k 2041. ergon -- work 4903. sunergeo -- to work together 2716. katergazomai -- to work out 2038b. ergazomai -- to work, labor 2039. ergasia -- work (noun) 1756. energes -- at work, active 4333. prosergazomai -- to work besides, to gain besides 4161. poiema -- a work 4230. pragmateia -- careful application, hard work Strong's Hebrew 6467. poal -- doing, deed, work... 6466, 6467. poal. 6468 . doing, deed, work. Transliteration: poal Phonetic Spelling: (po'-al) Short Definition: work. Word Origin ... /hebrew/6467.htm - 6k 4749. miqshah -- perhaps hammered work 6468. peullah -- a work, recompense 5647. abad -- to work, serve 4639. maaseh -- a deed, work 4399. melakah -- occupation, work 5673. abidah -- work, service 731. arzah -- cedar panels, cedar work 4567. maabad -- a work 4566. mabad -- work Library The Work of the Holy Spirit Of the Work of Monks. The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit Life and Work in Benares and Kumaon, 1839-1877 To The Work! To The Work! Life and Work Authority and Work In the Work of Ministering From the Work on the Passover. When Servilius Paulus was Proconsul ... Fragments of the Lost Work of Justin on the Resurrection Thesaurus Net-work (11 Occurrences)Net-work. Network, Net-work. Networks . Multi-Version Concordance Net-work (11 Occurrences). Genesis 7:11 In the six ... /n/net-work.htm - 9k Work (4564 Occurrences) Field-work (12 Occurrences) Needle-work (7 Occurrences) Lily-work (2 Occurrences) Open-work (1 Occurrence) Checker-work (1 Occurrence) Linen-work (2 Occurrences) Finger-work (1 Occurrence) Chain-work (1 Occurrence) Resources How can we commit our work to the Lord and have our plans established (Proverbs 16:3)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the one who is unwilling to work shall not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10)? | GotQuestions.org How can salvation be not of works when faith is required? isn't believing a work? | GotQuestions.org Work: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Work (4564 Occurrences)Work is found 4564 times in 12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. Subtopics Related Terms |
    |