The term "fellow-laborers" in the Bible refers to individuals who work together in the service of the Gospel and the Kingdom of God. This concept is deeply rooted in the New Testament, where the early Christian community is depicted as a body of believers united in purpose and mission. The Apostle Paul frequently uses this term to describe his co-workers in the ministry, highlighting the collaborative nature of spreading the Christian faith.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Corinthians 3:9 · "For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building." In this passage, Paul emphasizes the partnership between God and His servants. The believers are depicted as co-laborers with God, working in His field and contributing to the building of His spiritual house.

2. Philippians 4:3 · "Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, to help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life." Here, Paul acknowledges the efforts of his fellow workers, including women, who have labored alongside him in the Gospel mission. This highlights the inclusive nature of the early Christian ministry.

3. Colossians 4:11 · "Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me." Paul mentions specific individuals who have been a source of comfort and support in his ministry, underscoring the importance of companionship and mutual encouragement among fellow laborers.

4. Philemon 1:24 · "And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers." In his letter to Philemon, Paul lists several individuals who have been instrumental in his ministry, demonstrating the diverse team of co-laborers who contributed to the spread of the Gospel.

Theological Significance:

The concept of fellow-laborers is significant in understanding the communal and cooperative nature of the Christian mission. It reflects the biblical principle that the work of the Gospel is not a solitary endeavor but a collective effort involving various members of the body of Christ. Each believer is called to contribute their unique gifts and talents to the mission, working together in harmony to fulfill the Great Commission.

The role of fellow-laborers also emphasizes the importance of unity and partnership in the Church. As Paul illustrates through his letters, the early Christian community was marked by a spirit of collaboration and mutual support. This serves as a model for contemporary believers, encouraging them to work together in advancing the Kingdom of God.

Practical Implications:

For modern Christians, the example of fellow-laborers in the New Testament serves as a reminder of the importance of teamwork and cooperation in ministry. It challenges believers to seek out opportunities to partner with others in service, recognizing that the work of the Gospel is most effective when carried out in unity.

Furthermore, the acknowledgment of fellow-laborers in Paul's writings encourages believers to appreciate and support one another in their respective ministries. By valuing the contributions of each member, the Church can function as a cohesive and effective body, fulfilling its mission to spread the message of Christ to the world.

Of God's Coming Down to Confound the Languages of the Builders of ...
... Go ye down and confound," but, "Let us confound their speech;" showing that He so
works by His servants, that they are themselves also fellow-laborers with God ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 5 of gods coming down.htm

Acts XIII
... ecclesiastical rank. Though an apostle by special commission, he was "ordained"
by his humble fellow-laborers in Antioch. This fact ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiii.htm

The Message Heeded
... He and his fellow laborers would celebrate their victory over the enemies of Christ
and the truth, by going forth with new zeal to extend the knowledge of the ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 31 the message heeded.htm

On Singing and Music.
... by our Saviour, when He said, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth
nothing," was steadily kept in view by George Fox and his fellow laborers. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/on singing and music/on singing and music.htm

First Missionary Journey Scripture
... Jewish world, considered so largely in the first twelve chapters of the Acts, to
the heathen world and the struggle which Paul and his fellow laborers had with ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study iii first missionary journey.htm

The Last Two Decades.
... It will not be inappropriate to give two letters expressive of his good-will toward
his fellow laborers. The one was written on the occasion of Rev. ...
/.../fagg/forty years in south china/xi the last two decades.htm

The Epistle to Philemon
... for him lodging. With greetings of his fellow-laborers and a final salutation
he ends his letter. CHARACTERISTICS. 1. This letter ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the epistle to philemon.htm

The Second Epistle to Timothy
... With special greetings, a further account of his fellow-laborers, and a final
salutation the apostle ends his letter, 19-22. CHARACTERISTICS. ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the second epistle to timothy.htm

Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists.
... 3. Evangelists, itinerant preachers, delegates, and fellow-laborers of the
apostles"such men as Mark, Luke, Timothy, Titus, Silas, Epaphras, Trophimus, and ...
/.../section 60 apostles prophets evangelists.htm

Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on ...
... he writes, "Only Luke is with me" (2 Timothy 4:11.), and Clement was one of his
associates, of whom he says, "with Clement and other my fellow-laborers" (Philip ...
/.../homilies of st john chrysostom 3.htm

Fellow-laborers (2 Occurrences)
Fellow-laborers. Fellow-laborer, Fellow-laborers. Fellowlabourer .
Multi-Version Concordance Fellow-laborers (2 Occurrences). ...
/f/fellow-laborers.htm - 7k

Justus (3 Occurrences)
... 14 of the same chapter (ie Colossians 4:14), as well as by Philemon 1:24, in both
of which passages Paul names Demas and Luke as his fellow-laborers; and Luke ...
/j/justus.htm - 12k

Fellowlabourer (2 Occurrences)

/f/fellowlabourer.htm - 7k

Fellow-laborer (2 Occurrences)
Fellow-laborer. Fellow-helpers, Fellow-laborer. Fellow-laborers . ...
Fellow-helpers, Fellow-laborer. Fellow-laborers . Reference Bible.
/f/fellow-laborer.htm - 7k

Timothy (28 Occurrences)
... 1:1 Hebrews 13:23; the King James Version, Timotheus): 1. One of Paul's Converts:
Timothy was one of the best known of Paul's companions and fellow-laborers. ...
/t/timothy.htm - 38k

Euodia (1 Occurrence)
... He asks Clement also, and all the other Christians at Philippi, his fellow-laborers,
whose names, though not mentioned by the apostle, are nevertheless in the ...
/e/euodia.htm - 10k

Entreat (55 Occurrences)
... I entreat thee also, true yoke-fellow, help those women who labored with me in the
gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow-laborers, whose names ...
/e/entreat.htm - 25k

Steward (23 Occurrences)
... Paul and his fellow-laborers regarded themselves as stewards of the mysteries of
God (1 Corinthians 4:1, 2). The idea is that he take scrupulous care of that ...
/s/steward.htm - 21k

Philippians (2 Occurrences)
... Euodia and Syntyche are mentioned in the epistle, two women who were fellow-laborers
with Paul in the gospel, for both of whom he has great respect, of both of ...
/p/philippians.htm - 42k

What is a yokefellow in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Is the distinction between clergy and laity biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Is papal infallibility biblical? | GotQuestions.org

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