In the biblical context, the term "labourer" refers to individuals who engage in physical or manual work, often in agricultural settings, construction, or other forms of labor-intensive occupations. The Bible provides various insights into the role, dignity, and spiritual significance of laborers, emphasizing the value of hard work, fairness, and the divine provision for those who toil.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament frequently mentions laborers in the context of agricultural work, which was central to the economy and daily life of ancient Israel. In the Law, specific instructions are given regarding the 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 fairness and timely compensation for laborers.

The Book of Proverbs often highlights the virtues of diligence and hard work. Proverbs 14:23 states, "There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty." This 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 frequently uses the imagery of laborers in His parables and teachings. One notable example is the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), where Jesus illustrates the kingdom of heaven by comparing it to a landowner hiring laborers for his vineyard. This parable emphasizes God's grace and the equality of all who enter His kingdom, regardless of when they are called.

Jesus also speaks directly about the spiritual laborers in the context of evangelism. In Matthew 9:37-38, He says 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 spread the Gospel, highlighting the urgency and importance of the mission.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, often refers to himself and his co-workers as laborers in God's service. In 1 Corinthians 3:9, he writes, "For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building." This metaphor extends the concept of labor beyond physical toil to include spiritual work in building up the church and spreading the Gospel.

Theological Implications

The Bible presents labor as a fundamental aspect of human existence, instituted by God from the beginning. In Genesis 2:15, God places Adam in the Garden of Eden "to work it and take care of it," indicating that labor is part of God's original design for humanity. After the Fall, labor becomes more toilsome (Genesis 3:17-19), yet it remains a means through which individuals can fulfill their God-given purpose and contribute to the community.

The dignity of labor is further affirmed by the example of Jesus, who spent much of His earthly life as a carpenter (Mark 6:3). This underscores the value of all forms of honest work, regardless of societal status.

Ethical Considerations

The Bible advocates for the fair treatment of laborers, emphasizing justice and compassion. James 5:4 warns against exploiting workers: "Look, the wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts." This passage highlights the moral responsibility of employers to treat their workers justly and the divine concern for the oppressed.

In summary, the biblical portrayal of laborers encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, affirming the value of work, the need for justice, and the call to participate in God's redemptive mission.4904. sunergos -- a fellow worker
... From a presumed compound of sun and the base of ergon; a co-laborer, ie Coadjutor --
companion in labour, (fellow-)helper(-labourer, -worker), labourer ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4904.htm - 7k

2040. ergates -- a workman
... laborer, workman. From ergon; a toiler; figuratively, a teacher -- labourer,
worker(-men). see GREEK ergon. (ergatai) -- 4 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2040.htm - 7k

1877-1879. "They Helped Every one his Neighbour" --Miss Child, a ...
... CHAPTER VII 1877-1879. "They helped every one his neighbour""Miss Child, a
fellow-labourer "The work in Ratcliff Highway"Strangers' Rest for Sailors ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vii 1877-1879 they helped.htm

Synodical Epistle of the Synod in Illyricum Concerning the Faith.
... worthy of the duty. "This letter we have sent by our beloved brother and
fellow labourer Elpidius the presbyter. For not in the ...
/.../chapter viii synodical epistle of the.htm

God's Fellow-Workers
... there is no possibility of Christian men or women being fully faithful to the Saviour,
unless they recognise that the duty of being a fellow-labourer with God ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/gods fellow-workers.htm

The Secret of Success.
... The servant seeks to win the fellow-servant, the labourer in the field has the welfare
of his fellow-labourer at heart, and seeks to draw him to God. ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xlii the secret of success.htm

The Two Sons.
... Group after group of labourers are hired wholesale, and sent successively into the
vineyard; in the evening a steward pays each labourer under the general ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/x the two sons.htm

That God May be Glorified
... work. In the erection of some splendid building, the purpose of the
day-labourer may simply be as a hireling to earn his wages. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/xxxi that god may be.htm

The Bad Squire
... 'I am long past wailing and whining" I have wept too much in my life: I've
had twenty years of pining As an English labourer's wife. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the bad squire.htm

If Paul had Known any Mysteries Unrevealed to the Other Apostles ...
... 1. But that this Luke was inseparable from Paul, and his fellow-labourer in the
Gospel, he himself clearly evinces, not as a matter of boasting, but as bound ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xiv if paul had known.htm

That Our Opponents Refuse to Concede in the Case of the Spirit the ...
... And Paul calls himself a "labourer together with God" [1289] in the dispensation
of the Gospel; will they bring an indictment for impiety against us, if we ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xxviii that our opponents.htm

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to ...
... for the foot-sore, weary pilgrim is the bosom of Christ; he carries the lambs in
his bosom, and there is room enough for all; the poorest labourer and the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the heavenly footman or a.htm

Labourer (8 Occurrences)
...Labourer (8 Occurrences). Matthew 10:10 no bag for your journey, nor change of linen,
nor shoes, nor stick; for the labourer deserves his food. (WEY). ...
/l/labourer.htm - 8k

Fellow-labourer (1 Occurrence)
Fellow-labourer. Fellowlabourer, Fellow-labourer. Fellowlabourers .
Multi-Version Concordance Fellow-labourer (1 Occurrence). ...
/f/fellow-labourer.htm - 6k

Deserves (25 Occurrences)
... Deserves (25 Occurrences). Matthew 10:10 no bag for your journey, nor change of
linen, nor shoes, nor stick; for the labourer deserves his food. (WEY RSV). ...
/d/deserves.htm - 13k

Labourers (11 Occurrences)

/l/labourers.htm - 9k

Laboured (34 Occurrences)

/l/laboured.htm - 16k

Justus (3 Occurrences)
... (3.) A Jewish Christian, called Jesus, Paul's only fellow-labourer at Rome, where
he wrote his Epistle to the Colossians (Colossians 4:11). Int. ...
/j/justus.htm - 12k

Fellowlabourers (2 Occurrences)

/f/fellowlabourers.htm - 7k

Fellowlabourer (2 Occurrences)

/f/fellowlabourer.htm - 7k

Treadeth (25 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth
out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/t/treadeth.htm - 14k

Regards (43 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 8:23 Whether as regards Titus, he is my companion and fellow-labourer
in your behalf; or our brethren, they are deputed messengers of assemblies ...
/r/regards.htm - 18k

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