Lexical Summary mochthos: Toil, labor, hardship, trouble Original Word: μόχθος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance painfulness, travail. From the base of mogis; toil, i.e. (by implication) sadness -- painfulness, travail. see GREEK mogis HELPS Word-studies 3449 móxthos (from mogos, "laborious toil") – wearisome, difficult effort (psychologically or physically); hard work, "implying unusual exertion of energy and effort" (L & N, 1, 42.48). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originakin to mogis Definition toil, hardship NASB Translation hardship (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3449: μόχθοςμόχθος, μόχθου, ὁ, hard and difficult labor, toil, travail; hardship, distress: 2 Corinthians 11:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8; see κόπος, 3 b. (Hesiod scut. 306; Pindar, Tragg., Xenophon, others; the Sept. chiefly for עָמָל.) (Synonym: see κόπος, at the end.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and ContextThe word points to strenuous, wearying effort that drains strength yet accomplishes a needed task. It pictures work done under pressure, often accompanied by deprivation, and always undertaken for a worthy purpose rather than personal gain. Occurrences in the New Testament Paul alone employs the term, and each usage appears in letters where he defends the authenticity of his ministry: • 2 Corinthians 11:27 – “in labor and toil and often without sleep, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.” In each instance Paul pairs the word with “labor” (kopos) or closely related expressions, stressing not the activity itself but the sacrificial cost of fulfilling his commission. Paul’s Apostolic Example 1. Self-supporting ministry. Paul undertook manual work (Acts 18:3) to avoid financial dependency on new believers. His toil safeguarded the gospel from suspicion of profiteering and modeled generosity (Acts 20:33-35). Theological Emphases • Creation and fall. Work preceded sin (Genesis 2:15) but became painful after it (Genesis 3:17-19). Paul’s use of the term acknowledges the fallen condition yet redeems toil by linking it to gospel advance. Relationship to the Biblical Work Ethic Proverbs commends diligent hands; Ecclesiastes laments toil without eternal perspective; Paul integrates both motifs—work is necessary and noble, yet only worthwhile when subordinated to the kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:58). His use of the word underlines that gospel ministry is not exempt from the ordinary duty to labor but infuses it with everlasting significance. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Bivocational service remains a strategic option where resources are scarce or testimony demands independence. Christological and Eschatological Perspective The Savior who carried a cross calls His followers to tiring paths (Luke 9:23). Yet resurrection guarantees their toil “in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Paul’s use of the term therefore bridges present hardship and future glory, encouraging steadfast, self-sacrificial service until the Master returns. Forms and Transliterations εμόχθησα εμόχθησας εμόχθησεν μοχθεί μοχθείς μοχθήση μόχθοι μόχθοις μοχθον μόχθον μόχθος μόχθου μόχθους μοχθω μοχθώ μόχθω μόχθῳ μοχλοί μοχλός μοχλούς μοχλώ μοχλών mochtho mochthō móchthoi móchthōi mochthon móchthonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Corinthians 11:27 N-DMSGRK: κόπῳ καὶ μόχθῳ ἐν ἀγρυπνίαις NAS: [I have been] in labor and hardship, through KJV: and painfulness, in INT: labor and toil in watchings 1 Thessalonians 2:9 N-AMS 2 Thessalonians 3:8 N-DMS Strong's Greek 3449 |
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