The term "laboriously" refers to performing a task with great effort, diligence, and perseverance. In the context of the Bible, labor and toil are often depicted as part of the human experience, especially following the Fall of Man. The concept of labor is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, reflecting both the physical and spiritual dimensions of human work.

Biblical Context

1. The Curse of Labor: The origin of laborious work is found in Genesis 3:17-19, where God pronounces a curse upon the ground as a consequence of Adam's sin. The passage states, "Cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground." This curse introduces the concept of laborious work as a necessary part of human survival and existence.

2. Diligence and Reward: The Bible often associates diligent labor with reward and prosperity. Proverbs 13:4 states, "The soul of the sluggard craves yet gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied." This verse highlights the value of hard work and the satisfaction that comes from laborious effort.

3. Spiritual Labor: Labor is not only physical but also spiritual. In 1 Corinthians 15:58 , Paul encourages believers, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." Here, laboriously working for the Lord is portrayed as meaningful and eternally significant.

4. Rest from Labor: While the Bible acknowledges the necessity of labor, it also emphasizes the importance of rest. The Sabbath commandment in Exodus 20:9-10 instructs, "Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God." This commandment underscores the balance between labor and rest, reflecting God's design for human well-being.

5. Labor in the New Testament: The New Testament continues to address the theme of labor. In Colossians 3:23-24 , Paul advises, "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 encourages believers to approach their work with a heart of service to God, transforming laborious tasks into acts of worship.

Theological Implications

Labor, when viewed through a biblical lens, is not merely a means of survival but a divine calling. It is an opportunity to reflect God's creativity and stewardship over creation. The Bible presents labor as a way to cultivate character, develop perseverance, and contribute to the common good. While labor can be arduous, it is also a means through which God provides for His people and accomplishes His purposes in the world.5998. amal -- to labor, toil
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to labor, toil NASB Word Usage does (1), labor
(1), labored (4), laboriously (1), toils (2), work (1), works (1). ...
/hebrew/5998.htm - 6k

But the More Laboriously and Effectively this Blessed Hermit...
... A TRANSLATION OF THE LEGENDA IN THE OFFICE PREPARED FOR THE BLESSED HERMIT RICHARD
LECTION VII. But the more laboriously and effectively this blessed hermit? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/lection vii but the more.htm

Against the Heresy of Artemon.
... canons of the ancient faith [4967] they have rejected, and Christ they have ignored,
not inquiring what the sacred Scriptures say, but laboriously seeking to ...
/.../caius/fragments of caius/ii against the heresy of artemon.htm

Those who First Advanced the Heresy of Artemon; their Manner of ...
... They do not endeavor to learn what the Divine Scriptures declare, but strive
laboriously after any form of syllogism which may be devised to sustain their ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxviii those who first advanced.htm

Acts of Peter and Andrew.
... For if the good husbandman laboriously till the ground, it will also bear fruit,
and straightway all his toil will be turned into joy; but if he toil, and his ...
/.../unknown/acts of peter and andrew/acts of peter and andrew.htm

A Heavenly Pattern for Our Earthly Life
... the eye of God. See the great stones and costly stones laboriously brought
from the quarry to the edge of the sea! Can it be possible ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/a heavenly pattern for our.htm

Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of ...
... They have to be laboriously reconstructed by the collection of passages scattered
throughout his works; and though he is a thinker so consistent that little or ...
/.../introduction chapter i the life and.htm

Kingo's Childhood and Youth
... Writers were laboriously endeavoring to master the newer and more artistic forms
of poetry introduced from other countries, but when the forms had been ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter three kingos childhood and.htm

the Manner of this Oversight
... 2. The ministerial work must be carried on diligently and laboriously, as being
of such unspeakable consequence to ourselves and others. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 2 - the manner.htm

On Attractiveness.
... original methods of his own. As the years go on he may forget many of the
rules laboriously learned. Neither of these circumstances ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter i on attractiveness.htm

The Same Rule Holds with Regard to Colours God's Creatures ...
... party-walls use slightingly, to supply the place of painting, the Tyrian and the
violet-coloured and the grand royal hangings, which you laboriously undo and ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter viii the same rule holds.htm

Laboriously (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Laboriously (1 Occurrence). Ecclesiastes 8:17
then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out ...
/l/laboriously.htm - 6k

Work (4564 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/w/work.htm - 12k

Climb (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To ascend or mount laboriously, esp. ... 4. (vt) To ascend, as by means
of the hands and feet, or laboriously or slowly; to mount. ...
/c/climb.htm - 9k

Laborious (12 Occurrences)

/l/laborious.htm - 9k

Laboriousness (1 Occurrence)

/l/laboriousness.htm - 6k

Dig (24 Occurrences)
... 6. (vi) To take ore from its bed, in distinction from making excavations in search
of ore. 7. (vi) To work like a digger; to study ploddingly and laboriously. ...
/d/dig.htm - 14k

Drag (19 Occurrences)
... not hold. 6. (vi) To move onward heavily, laboriously, or slowly; to advance
with weary effort; to go on lingeringly. 7. (vi) To ...
/d/drag.htm - 14k

Scrape (3 Occurrences)
... noisily along. 6. (vi) To occupy one's self with getting laboriously;
as, he scraped and saved until he became rich. 7. (vi) To ...
/s/scrape.htm - 9k

Hew (17 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To form or shape with a sharp instrument; to cut; hence, to form
laboriously; -- often with out; as, to hew out a sepulcher. ...
/h/hew.htm - 12k

Heavily (17 Occurrences)
... 2. (adv.) As if burdened with a great weight; slowly and laboriously; with difficulty;
hence, in a slow, difficult, or suffering manner; sorrowfully. ...
/h/heavily.htm - 11k

Laboriously: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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