Lexical Summary kopiaó: To labor, to toil, to grow weary, to work hard Original Word: κοπιάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance labor, toil, be wearied. From a derivative of kopos; to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard -- (bestow) labour, toil, be wearied. see GREEK kopos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2872 kopiáō (from 2873 /kópos, "exhausting labor") – to labor until worn-out, depleted (exhausted). See 2873 (kopos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kopos Definition to grow weary, toil NASB Translation diligently labor (1), grown weary (1), hard-working (1), labor (3), labored (4), labors (1), toil (4), wearied (1), weary (1), work hard (1), worked (2), worked hard (1), worked hard worked hard (1), workers (1), working hard (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2872: κοπιάωκοπιάω, κοπιῶ (3 person plural κοπιουσιν (for κοπιῶσιν), Matthew 6:28 Tr; cf. ἐρωτάω, at the beginning); 1 aorist ἐκοπίασα; perfect κεκοπίακα (2 person singular κεκοπίακες, Revelation 2:3 L T Tr WH, cf. (Winers Grammar, § 13, 2 c.); Buttmann, 43 (38) (and his translation of Apollonius Dyscolus, p. 54 n.; Tdf. Proleg., p. 123; WHs Appendix, p. 166; Sophocles' Lexicon, p. 39)); (κόπος, which see); 1. as in Aristophanes, Josephus, Plutarch, others, to grow weary, tired, exhausted, (with toil or burdens or grief): Matthew 11:28; Revelation 2:3; κεκοπιακώς ἐκ τῆς ὁδοιπορίας, John 4:6 (ὑπό τῆς ὁδοιπορίας,Josephus, Antiquities 2, 15, 3; δραμοῦνται καί οὐ κοπιασουσι, Isaiah 40:31). 2. in Biblical Greek alone, to labor with wearisome effort, to toil (the Sept. for יָגַע ); of bodily labor: absolutely, Matthew 6:28; Luke 5:5; Luke 12:27 (not Tdf.); John 4:38; Acts 20:35; 1 Corinthians 4:12; Ephesians 4:28; 2 Timothy 2:6 (cf. Winers Grammar, 556 (517); Buttmann, 390 (334)); τί, upon a thing, John 4:38. of the toilsome efforts of teachers in proclaiming and promoting the kingdom of God and Christ: 1 Corinthians 15:10; 1 Corinthians 16:16 (cf. John 4:38); followed by ἐν with the dative of the thing in which one labors, ἐν λόγῳ καί διδασκαλία, 1 Timothy 5:17; ἐν ὑμῖν,among you, 1 Thessalonians 5:12; ἐν κυρίῳ (see ἐν, I. 6 b., p. 211b middle (L brackets the clause)), Romans 16:12; εἰς τινα, for one, for his benefit, Romans 16:6; Galatians 4:11 (cf. Buttmann, 242 (200); Winer's Grammar, 503 (469)); εἰς τοῦτο, looking to this (viz. that piety has the promise of life), 1 Timothy 4:10; εἰς ὁ, to which end, Colossians 1:29; εἰς κενόν, in vain, Philippians 2:16 (κενῶς ἐκοπίασα, of the frustrated labor of the prophets, Isaiah 49:4). Strong’s 2872 appears twenty-three times, describing strenuous exertion that may leave a person weary yet fruitful. It embraces both literal physical toil (John 4:6; Luke 5:5) and demanding spiritual effort (Colossians 1:29). The verb is never portrayed negatively when directed toward God’s purposes; what is condemned is labor that is anxious, self-serving, or ultimately “in vain” (Philippians 2:16; Galatians 4:11). Labor in the Work of the Gospel Paul’s letters are the richest field for this word. “No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Grace does not replace effort; it empowers it. The apostle presents his exhaustive labor as evidence of resurrection reality (1 Corinthians 15), pastoral concern (Galatians 4:11), and eschatological hope (Philippians 2:16). Ministry, then, is divinely energized toil that looks toward the Day of Christ. Recognition of Fellow Laborers Romans 16 highlights believers whose hidden service demanded heavy effort: “Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, women who have worked hard in the Lord…Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord” (Romans 16:12). Such commendations show that sacrificial service is noticed by the Spirit and should be honored by the church. Jesus: Model and Rewarder of Labor At Jacob’s well “Jesus, tired from the journey, sat down by the well” (John 4:6). The incarnate Son embraced human exhaustion while pursuing the Father’s mission. Later He promised, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He understands fatigue and provides the only rest that replenishes true workers. Pastoral Self-Support and Integrity “We work hard with our own hands” (1 Corinthians 4:12). Paul’s tentmaking upheld his witness, while Acts 20:35 extends the principle: “by working in this way we must help the weak.” Ministry that labors for its own needs can more freely give to others. Hard-Working Elders and Congregational Response “The elders who lead well are worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17). Likewise, “acknowledge those who work hard among you” (1 Thessalonians 5:12) and “submit…to every fellow worker and laborer” (1 Corinthians 16:16). Biblical leadership is marked by toil; biblical followership responds with respect and support. Personal Sanctification and Perseverance The Ephesian believers in Revelation 2:3 are praised: “You have persevered and endured hardships for My name and have not grown weary.” Steadfast toil under trial reveals genuine faith. Conversely, Galatians 4:11 warns that defection from the gospel renders the apostle’s labor “wasted.” True believers press on so that no ministry effort is squandered. Everyday Work and Ethical Generosity “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with the needy” (Ephesians 4:28). Ordinary labor becomes an avenue of holiness and charity. The “hard-working farmer” (2 Timothy 2:6) and the lilies that “do not labor or spin” (Matthew 6:28; Luke 12:27) together teach diligence without worry, effort balanced by trust in the Father’s care. Eschatological Reward for Labor “Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor” (John 4:38). One sows, another reaps, but the harvest is certain. Scripture continually links kopiaō with ultimate recompense—“the day of Christ” (Philippians 2:16), the crowning of faithful elders (1 Peter 5:4, implied), and the blessing promised to those who “have not grown weary” (Revelation 2:3). Historical Background In the Greco-Roman world, manual work was often despised by the elite, yet the early church, composed largely of artisans, farmers, and household servants, exalted diligent labor. Paul’s practice of supporting himself while evangelizing subverted cultural expectations and protected the gospel from charges of profiteering. The vocabulary of exhausting toil resonated with listeners who knew the sweat of daily survival. Application for Ministry Today 1. Depend on grace that energizes toil (1 Corinthians 15:10). Strong’s 2872 reminds the church that gospel advance, pastoral care, daily vocation, and personal sanctification are all arenas of Spirit-enabled, grace-driven toil whose fruit will be celebrated in eternity. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 6:28 V-PIA-3PGRK: αὐξάνουσιν οὐ κοπιῶσιν οὐδὲ νήθουσιν NAS: grow; they do not toil nor KJV: how they grow; they toil not, neither INT: they grow [they do] not labor nor do they spin Matthew 11:28 V-PPA-NMP Luke 5:5 V-APA-NMP Luke 12:27 V-PIA-3S John 4:6 V-RPA-NMS John 4:38 V-RIA-2P John 4:38 V-RIA-3P Acts 20:35 V-PPA-AMP Romans 16:6 V-AIA-3S Romans 16:12 V-PPA-AFP Romans 16:12 V-AIA-3S 1 Corinthians 4:12 V-PIA-1P 1 Corinthians 15:10 V-AIA-1S 1 Corinthians 16:16 V-PPA-DMS Galatians 4:11 V-RIA-1S Ephesians 4:28 V-PMA-3S Philippians 2:16 V-AIA-1S Colossians 1:29 V-PIA-1S 1 Thessalonians 5:12 V-PPA-AMP 1 Timothy 4:10 V-PIA-1P 1 Timothy 5:17 V-PPA-NMP 2 Timothy 2:6 V-PPA-AMS Revelation 2:3 V-RPA-NMP Strong's Greek 2872 |
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