Labouring
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Labouring, in the biblical context, encompasses both physical toil and spiritual endeavors. It is a theme that runs throughout Scripture, reflecting the human condition and the divine mandate for work. The Bible presents labour as both a consequence of the Fall and a means of fulfilling God's purposes.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, labour is first introduced in the context of creation. God Himself is depicted as a worker, creating the heavens and the earth in six days and resting on the seventh (Genesis 2:2-3). This divine example sets a pattern for human work and rest.

The Fall introduces toil as a part of the human experience. In Genesis 3:17-19, God tells Adam, "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." Here, labour becomes a means of survival, marked by hardship and struggle.

Despite the curse, work is also portrayed as a blessing and a means of stewardship. Ecclesiastes 3:13 states, "And also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God." The Proverbs frequently extol the virtues of diligent work, contrasting it with the folly of laziness (Proverbs 6:6-11; 10:4-5).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, labour takes on additional dimensions, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus often used agricultural metaphors to describe the Kingdom of God, emphasizing the importance of spiritual labour. In Matthew 9:37-38, He says, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest."

The Apostle Paul frequently addressed the theme of labour in his epistles. He encouraged believers to work diligently, not only to provide for themselves but also to serve others. In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Paul advises, "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands, just as we instructed you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and be dependent on no one."

Paul also highlights the spiritual aspect of labour, urging believers to work for the Lord rather than for human masters. Colossians 3:23-24 states, "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."

Spiritual Labour

Labouring in the Lord is a recurring theme, emphasizing the eternal significance of spiritual work. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul exhorts, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

The Book of Hebrews also speaks to the rest that follows faithful labour, drawing a parallel between the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land and the believer's spiritual journey. Hebrews 4:9-11 encourages believers to strive to enter God's rest, indicating that spiritual labour is both necessary and rewarding.

Conclusion

Labouring, as depicted in the Bible, is multifaceted, encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions. It is both a duty and a privilege, reflecting God's design for humanity and His redemptive purposes. Through diligent work, believers are called to glorify God, serve others, and advance His Kingdom.
Library

Labouring More Abundantly
... XXVI Labouring more Abundantly. By the grace of God I am what I:am: and
His grace which was bestowed on me was not in vain; but I ...
/.../murray/working for god/xxvi labouring more abundantly.htm

Epiphanius of Pavia.
... EPIPHANIUS OF PAVIA. ABOUT the same time that C??sarius was thus labouring in France,
Epiphanius, Bishop of Pavia, was labouring in a like spirit in Italy. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/neander/light in the dark places/epiphanius of pavia.htm

Twenty-Eighth Day that all God's People May Know the Holy Spirit
... HOW TO PRAY."Labouring fervently in Prayer. ="Epaphras, who is one of
you, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/twenty-eighth day that all gods.htm

The Second State of Prayer. Its Supernatural Character.
... True, it seems at times to have been wearied at the wheel, labouring with the
understanding, and filling the buckets; but in this second degree the water is ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xiv the second state.htm

To the Rev. Andrew Brandram
... something in the tone of your reply which has made me rather unhappy, though I can
easily conjecture that at the time you wrote it you were labouring under a ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev andrew brandram 3.htm

Unwise Interference.
... to be bound to inconvenient practices to which the Church by no means obliges them;
and if they do not comply they are charged with labouring under illusion. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/section i unwise interference.htm

Heresies Hitherto Refuted; Opinions of the Docet??.
... the heretics) do not employ the counsel of the Lord, by having the beam in the eye,
[906] and announce that they see when in reality labouring under blindness ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter i heresies hitherto refuted opinions.htm

Moreover, by his Own Power He not Only Performed those Miraculous ...
... the body, and restored their senses to the lifeless; they, too, by no different
command, restored to health and to soundness of mind those labouring under the ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/50 moreover by his own.htm

That the Apostle Wrought what He Thought Would be Sufficient for ...
... I have showed you all things, how that so labouring you ought to support the weak,
and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said: It is more blessed ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xviii that the apostle.htm

Introduction
... The aim of the book at the same time is to help those who complain, and perhaps
do not even know to complain, that they are apparently labouring in vain, to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/introduction.htm

Thesaurus
Labouring (18 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Labouring (18 Occurrences). Matthew 11:28 Come unto me,
all ye labouring and burdened ones, and I will give you rest, (YLT). ...
/l/labouring.htm - 11k

Laborer (7 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV WBS NAS RSV). 1 Corinthians 16:16 that ye also be subject to such, and
to every one who is working with 'us' and labouring; (See RSV). ...
/l/laborer.htm - 8k

Labours (19 Occurrences)

/l/labours.htm - 12k

Laboureth (8 Occurrences)

/l/laboureth.htm - 8k

Behoveth (75 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:35 all things I did shew you, that, thus labouring, it behoveth 'us' to
partake with the ailing, to be mindful also of the words of the Lord Jesus ...
/b/behoveth.htm - 27k

Occupation (9 Occurrences)
... son nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied
with riches, and he saith not, For whom then am I labouring, and depriving ...
/o/occupation.htm - 9k

Laboured (34 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS DBY YLT). Proverbs 16:26 A labouring man hath laboured for himself,
For his mouth hath caused 'him' to bend over it. (YLT). ...
/l/laboured.htm - 16k

Well-leading (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Timothy 5:17 The well-leading elders of double honour let them be counted worthy,
especially those labouring in word and teaching, (YLT). ...
/w/well-leading.htm - 6k

Worthily (8 Occurrences)
... in order that whether coming and seeing you, or absent, I may hear of what concerns
you, that ye stand firm in one spirit, with one soul, labouring together in ...
/w/worthily.htm - 9k

Resources
What does the Bible say about how to humble yourself? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Labouring (18 Occurrences)

Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye labouring and burdened ones, and I will give you rest,
(YLT)

Mark 6:48
And seeing them labouring in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he comes to them walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.
(DBY)

Acts 20:35
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
(KJV DBY YLT)

Romans 16:12
salute Tryphaena, and Tryphosa, who are labouring in the Lord; salute Persis, the beloved, who did labour much in the Lord.
(YLT)

1 Corinthians 16:16
that ye should also be subject to such, and to every one joined in the work and labouring.
(DBY YLT)

2 Corinthians 1:11
ye also labouring together by supplication for us that the gift towards us, through means of many persons, may be the subject of the thanksgiving of many for us.
(DBY)

Philippians 1:27
Only conduct yourselves worthily of the glad tidings of the Christ, in order that whether coming and seeing you, or absent, I may hear of what concerns you, that ye stand firm in one spirit, with one soul, labouring together in the same conflict with the faith of the glad tidings;
(DBY)

Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
(KJV)

1 Thessalonians 2:9
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
(KJV)

1 Thessalonians 5:12
And we ask you, brethren, to know those labouring among you, and leading you in the Lord, and admonishing you,
(YLT)

1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders who take the lead among the saints well be esteemed worthy of double honour, specially those labouring in word and teaching;
(DBY YLT)

2 Timothy 2:6
the labouring husbandman it behoveth first of the fruits to partake;
(YLT)

1 Kings 9:23
These 'are' the heads of the officers who 'are' over the work of Solomon, fifty and five hundred, those ruling among the people who are labouring in the work.
(YLT)

Proverbs 16:26
The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him thereto.
(See JPS YLT)

Ecclesiastes 3:9
What advantage hath the doer in that which he is labouring at?
(YLT)

Ecclesiastes 4:8
There is one alone and without a second; also he hath neither son nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, and he saith not, For whom then am I labouring, and depriving my soul of good? This also is vanity and a grievous occupation.
(DBY YLT)

Ecclesiastes 5:12
The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
(KJV JPS)

Ecclesiastes 9:9
Enjoy life with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity; for that is thy portion in life, and in thy labour wherein thou art labouring under the sun.
(DBY YLT)

Subtopics

Labouring

Related Terms

In-gathering (3 Occurrences)

Result (73 Occurrences)

Ephesus (20 Occurrences)

Benefit (39 Occurrences)

Labour (119 Occurrences)

Labouring (18 Occurrences)

Getting (151 Occurrences)

Field (390 Occurrences)

Noticed (19 Occurrences)

Unwavering (4 Occurrences)

Onward (25 Occurrences)

Olves

Outlying (4 Occurrences)

Larger (23 Occurrences)

Laboured (34 Occurrences)

Laccunus

Greece (15 Occurrences)

Whereon (45 Occurrences)

Increased (165 Occurrences)

Increasing (61 Occurrences)

Insurrections (2 Occurrences)

Increase (184 Occurrences)

Increases (24 Occurrences)

Intended (38 Occurrences)

Frequent (10 Occurrences)

Frequently (28 Occurrences)

Timothy (28 Occurrences)

Takest (17 Occurrences)

Tumults (2 Occurrences)

Reserve (15 Occurrences)

Ezra (28 Occurrences)

Elisha (70 Occurrences)

Excess (20 Occurrences)

Exceed (14 Occurrences)

Entertain (8 Occurrences)

Ephesians (4 Occurrences)

Erastus (3 Occurrences)

Delegates (1 Occurrence)

Disappointed (69 Occurrences)

Districts (22 Occurrences)

Due (93 Occurrences)

Manifested (48 Occurrences)

Ministers (49 Occurrences)

Marvels (21 Occurrences)

Measured (91 Occurrences)

Ministrants (18 Occurrences)

Pleaseth (13 Occurrences)

Promotion (3 Occurrences)

Persistent (5 Occurrences)

Blasting (4 Occurrences)

Bestowed (43 Occurrences)

Circumcision (98 Occurrences)

Comrade (9 Occurrences)

Cyprus (12 Occurrences)

Abel (22 Occurrences)

Stripes (19 Occurrences)

Steadfastness (15 Occurrences)

Simply (27 Occurrences)

Silas (22 Occurrences)

Sorrowful (29 Occurrences)

Samuel (129 Occurrences)

Shepherd (76 Occurrences)

Urged (44 Occurrences)

Corinthians (3 Occurrences)

Amongst (47 Occurrences)

Dying (57 Occurrences)

Exhausted (26 Occurrences)

Follows (65 Occurrences)

Proclaimed (114 Occurrences)

Credit (39 Occurrences)

Danger (118 Occurrences)

Glorified (60 Occurrences)

Oppression (67 Occurrences)

Exceedingly (167 Occurrences)

Seest (52 Occurrences)

Line (131 Occurrences)

Harvest (109 Occurrences)

Laboureth
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