In the biblical context, laborers are often depicted as individuals engaged in physical work, particularly in agriculture, construction, and other forms of manual labor. The Bible provides numerous references to laborers, emphasizing themes of diligence, fairness, and the spiritual significance of work.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament frequently addresses the role and treatment of laborers. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, laborers were essential for the cultivation of land and the harvesting of crops. The Law of Moses includes specific instructions regarding the fair treatment of laborers. For instance, Leviticus 19:13 commands, "You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand." This underscores the importance of justice and timely compensation for laborers.

The book of Proverbs also highlights the virtues of hard work and diligence. Proverbs 14:23 states, "There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty." This verse reflects the biblical principle that labor is honorable and productive, contrasting it with idleness and empty words.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, Jesus often used the imagery of laborers in His parables to convey spiritual truths. One notable example is the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). In this parable, a landowner hires laborers at different times throughout the day but pays them all the same wage. This account illustrates the kingdom of heaven's principles of grace and divine generosity, challenging human notions of fairness and merit.

Jesus also emphasized the spiritual dimension of labor in His teachings. In Matthew 9:37-38, He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest." Here, laborers symbolize those who work for the spread of the Gospel, highlighting the urgency and importance of evangelistic efforts.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the theme of labor in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 3:9, he writes, "For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building." Paul views believers as co-laborers with God, participating in the spiritual work of building the church and advancing God's kingdom.

Ethical and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently upholds the dignity of labor and the ethical treatment of laborers. Employers are admonished to treat their workers with fairness and respect, as seen in Colossians 4:1: "Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven." This principle extends to all forms of employment, advocating for justice and equity in the workplace.

Moreover, the Bible encourages laborers to work diligently and with integrity, as unto the Lord. Colossians 3:23-24 instructs, "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 highlights the spiritual significance of work, viewing it as an act of worship and service to God.

In summary, the biblical portrayal of laborers encompasses both practical and spiritual dimensions, emphasizing the value of work, the importance of fair treatment, and the call to participate in God's redemptive mission.2040. ergates -- a workman
... See 2041 (). Word Origin from ergazomai Definition a workman NASB Word Usage laborer
(2), laborers (6), worker (1), workers (4), workman (1), workmen (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2040.htm - 7k4522. mas -- body of forced laborers, forced service, taskworkers ...
... body of forced laborers, forced service, taskworkers, taskwork, serfdom.
Transliteration: mas or mis Phonetic Spelling: (mas) Short Definition: labor. ...
/hebrew/4522.htm - 6k

5647. abad -- to work, serve
... cultivated (2), cultivates (1), do (6), do the work (1), enslaved (3), given (1),
holding in bondage (1), imposed (1), keep (2), labor (3), laborers* (2), make ...
/hebrew/5647.htm - 6k

6213a. asah -- do, make
... perform (1), industrious* (1), inflict (1), inflicted (1), inlaid (1), instituted
(2), introduced (2), keep (1), kept (1), labored (1), laborers (1), made (369 ...
/hebrew/6213a.htm - 8k

For Laborers in God's Harvest.
... ASSOCIATIONS, CONVENTIONS, AND MISSIONARY MEETINGS. 723. " For Laborers in God's
Harvest. 723. LM Episcopal Coll. For Laborers in God's Harvest. ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/723 for laborers in.htm

The Parable of the vineyard.
... "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was a householder, who went
out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the parable of the vineyard.htm

American Board of Foreign Missions.
... two; of printers, eleven; of bookbinders, one; of female helpers, married and unmarried,
one hundred and thirty-nine;"making a total of laborers beyond sea ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/american board of foreign missions.htm

Matt. Ix. 27-30.
... Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers
are few, pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxii matt ix 27-30.htm

The First Stages. Ch. 9:51 to 13:21
... his face into every city and place, whither he himself was about to come.2 And he
said unto them, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the first stages ch.htm

Athor, the Golden
... There he made a difficult ascent of the fronts facing the Nile and reached his
block of stone without approaching the hamlet of laborers. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter vii athor the golden.htm

Prayer and Labor for the Gathering of the Great Harvest.
... Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but
the laborers are few. Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xix prayer and labor for.htm

The Value of Life
... For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was a householder, who went
out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter i the value of.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

God, when one Believes in Him as You and I Do...
... proprietors of the soil, and proprietors of houses; of investments, of handicrafts,
of merchants, of manufacturers, of farmers; of day-laborers becoming farmers ...
/.../lamartine/atheism among the people/v god when one believes.htm

Laborers (19 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Laborers (19 Occurrences). Matthew 9:37 Then he said to
his disciples, "The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. ...
/l/laborers.htm - 11k

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

Hire (48 Occurrences)
... (a) As a verb it means "to hire" for a wage, either money or something else; in
this sense it is used with regard to ordinary laborers (1 Samuel 2:5 2 ...
/h/hire.htm - 27k

Vineyard (69 Occurrences)
... Matthew 20:1 "For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household,
who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. ...
/v/vineyard.htm - 29k

Plentiful (17 Occurrences)
... Plentiful (17 Occurrences). Matthew 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest
indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. (WEB WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/plentiful.htm - 11k

Steward (23 Occurrences)
... In the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, it is the steward who pays the laborers
at the close of the day (Matthew 20:8). The parable of the Unjust ...
/s/steward.htm - 21k

Indeed (628 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT). Matthew 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, "The
harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. (WEB ASV YLT). ...
/i/indeed.htm - 34k

Plenteous (16 Occurrences)
... Luke 10:2 And he said unto them, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers
are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth ...
/p/plenteous.htm - 11k

Pay (212 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 20:2 When he had agreed with
the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. (See NIV). ...
/p/pay.htm - 37k

Disciples (277 Occurrences)
... Jesus was perhaps employing all whose experience and sympathy made them fit for
work in the harvest that was so plenteous while the laborers were few. ...
/d/disciples.htm - 39k

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard? | GotQuestions.org

What is a spiritual harvest and how can I achieve one? | GotQuestions.org

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

Laborers: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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