Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the term "worker" encompasses a broad range of activities and roles, reflecting the diverse nature of labor and service in both the Old and New Testaments. The concept of work is deeply rooted in the creation narrative, where God Himself is depicted as a worker. Genesis 2:2-3 states, "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done."Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, work is often seen as a divine mandate. After the fall, work becomes more toilsome, as seen in Genesis 3:17-19 , where 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." Despite the curse, work is also portrayed as a means of stewardship and service. The Israelites were commanded to work the land and care for it, as seen in Leviticus 25:3-4 : "For six years you may sow your fields and prune your vineyards and gather their crops. But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land—a Sabbath to the LORD." The wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs, frequently addresses 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 underscores the value placed on industriousness and the tangible benefits it brings. New Testament Context In the New Testament, the concept of work is expanded to include spiritual labor and service within the Christian community. Jesus Himself is portrayed as a worker, both in His earthly trade as a carpenter and in His ministry. In John 5:17 , Jesus says, "My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working." The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the theme of work in his epistles, emphasizing both physical labor and spiritual service. 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 importance of working for the Lord, as seen in Colossians 3:23-24 : "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 Implications The Bible presents work as an integral part of human life, ordained by God and imbued with spiritual significance. Believers are called to view their work as a form of worship and service to God, reflecting His character and fulfilling His purposes. The diligent worker is commended, and laziness is often condemned, as seen in Proverbs 18:9 : "Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys." Ultimately, the biblical view of work encourages believers to pursue their vocations with integrity, diligence, and a heart of service, recognizing that their labor is not in vain when done for the glory of God. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) One who, or that which, works; a laborer; a performer; as, a worker in brass.2. (n.) One of the neuter, or sterile, individuals of the social ants, bees, and white ants. The workers are generally females having the sexual organs imperfectly developed. See Ant, and White ant, under White. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia WORKER; WORKFELLOW; WORKMANwur'-der, wurk'-fel-o, wurk'-man (charash, pa`al; ergates, sunergos): "Worker" (artificer) is the translation of charash, "to cut in" (1 Kings 7:14, "a worker in brass"), and of charash, "artificer," etc. (1 Chronicles 22:15); "workers of stone," rendered "workman," "workmen" (Isaiah 40:20; Isaiah 44:11 Jeremiah 10:3, 9, "artificer"; Hosea 8:6); `asah, "to work," is translated "workers" of iniquity (Psalm 37:1, "them that work unrighteousness"); `asah mela'khah, "to do work" (2 Kings 12:14, 15, "workmen," "them that did the work"; 1 Chronicles 22:15 2 Chronicles 24:13, etc.; Ezra 3:9);'aneshe mela'khah, "men of work" (1 Chronicles 25:1, "workmen," "them that did the work"); `amel, "working," "toiling" (Judges 5:26, "put.... her right hand to the workmen's hammer"); pa`al, "to act," "do," when translated "workers," is joined with "iniquity," "workers of iniquity" (Job 31:3; Job 34:8, 22 Psalm 5:5; Psalm 6:8; Psalm 14:4, etc.; Proverbs 10:29; Proverbs 21:15); ergates, "worker," is translated "workman" (Matthew 10:10, "laborer"; 2 Timothy 2:15 Acts 19:25), "workers" (of iniquity) (Luke 13:27), "deceitful workers" (2 Corinthians 11:13), "evil workers" (Philippians 3:2); dunamis, "power," is translated "(workers of) miracles" (1 Corinthians 12:29 margin, the Revised Version (British and American) "powers"); sunergeo, "to work with" (2 Corinthians 6:1, "working together with him"). Greek 4904. sunergos -- a fellow worker ... a fellow worker. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: sunergos Phonetic Spelling: (soon-er-gos') Short Definition: a fellow worker Definition: a fellow ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4904.htm - 7k 5471. chalkeus -- a worker in metal 1092. georgos -- a husbandman, vinedresser 2040. ergates -- a workman 3407. misthios -- a hired servant 695. argurokopos -- a beater of silver, ie a silversmith 2418. hierourgeo -- to perform sacred rites 3414. mna -- a mina (Gr. monetary unit) 2557. kakourgos -- a criminal 2815. Klemes -- Clement, a Christian at Philippi Strong's Hebrew 6001a. amel -- a laborer, sufferer... Word Origin from amal Definition a laborer, sufferer NASB Word Usage who suffers (2), worker's (1), workmen's (1). 6001, 6001a. amel. 6001b . ... /hebrew/6001a.htm - 5k 2359. Churi -- a Gadite 2790a. charash -- to cut in, engrave, plow, devise 5654. Obed Edom -- "servant of Edom," an Israelite name 2796. charash -- engraver, artificer 6213a. asah -- do, make 2790. charash -- to cut in, engrave, plow, devise 6466. paal -- do, make Library One Worker Preparing for Another I Want to be a Worker. PM Of Gregory Thaumaturgus (The Wonder-Worker). Since Our Brother and Fellow-Worker, John, Bishop of the Island of ... The Work Awaiting the Worker That a Worker in this Work Should not Deem nor Think of Another ... Conversion of a High Priest into a Christian Worker Conversion of a High Priest into a Christian Worker How a Perfect Worker Shall Pray, and what Prayer is in Itself; and ... Now we Declare that virginity is Man's "Fellow-Worker" and Helper ... Thesaurus Silver-worker (2 Occurrences)Silver-worker. Silver-smith, Silver-worker. Simalcue . Multi-Version Concordance Silver-worker (2 Occurrences). Acts ... /s/silver-worker.htm - 7k Worker (36 Occurrences) Brother-worker (1 Occurrence) Wonder-worker (9 Occurrences) Gold-worker (6 Occurrences) Iron-worker (4 Occurrences) Fellow-worker (5 Occurrences) Metal-worker (3 Occurrences) Leather-worker (3 Occurrences) Copper-worker (1 Occurrence) Resources What does the Bible say about stalking? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about work? | GotQuestions.org Who was Titus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Worker: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Worker (36 Occurrences)Matthew 10:10 Luke 10:7 Acts 19:24 Romans 16:9 Romans 16:21 1 Corinthians 16:16 2 Corinthians 8:23 Philippians 2:25 1 Thessalonians 3:2 1 Timothy 5:18 2 Timothy 2:6 Philemon 1:1 Revelation 18:22 Genesis 3:23 Exodus 12:45 Leviticus 22:10 Leviticus 25:6 Leviticus 25:40 1 Samuel 14:45 1 Kings 7:14 1 Kings 11:28 2 Chronicles 2:7 2 Chronicles 2:14 Psalms 7:14 Psalms 52:2 Psalms 101:7 Proverbs 10:4 Proverbs 12:24 Proverbs 12:27 Proverbs 15:19 Proverbs 21:18 Ecclesiastes 3:9 Isaiah 16:14 Isaiah 21:16 Isaiah 44:13 Zechariah 13:5 Subtopics Related Terms Wonder-workers (16 Occurrences) Fellow-workers (6 Occurrences) Brother-workers (3 Occurrences) |
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