Word Study: Labor

1. Word Study: Labor Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 2 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

2. How to do a Word Study • Locate all the references of your keyword in the NT. • Use Bible Study Software (e-Sword, Logos, Bibleworks, etc.). • Use Bible Study Websites (www.blueletterbible.org, www.bible.org, www.biblegateway.com, www.biblestudytools.com) • Note the different ways that the word is translated. • Analyze the occurrences and group them into categories that reflect any distinctive nuances. • These groups will help inform your definition of the word. • These groups will give you options for interpretation of the word.

3. How to do a Word Study • Note any non-theological uses that may help determine the theological meaning.

4. Emotionally Troubling ESV Mat 26:10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.

5. Persistence ESV Luk 11:7 and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything'?

6. How to do a Word Study • Note any non-theological uses that may help determine the theological meaning. • Note any clusters of the word and any passages where the word may predominate. • Note any words, phrases, or ideas that are commonly associated with the word.

7. Attendant Circumstance • u`pomonh,n– patient endurance • A desire for the spiritual labor not to be done in vain (1Co 15:58, 1Th 3:5). • Association with other physical abuse and persecution (mo,cqw). • Associated with other words for work or labor.

8. How to do a Word Study • Note any non-theological uses that may help determine the theological meaning. • Note any clusters of the word and any passages where the word may predominate. • Note any words, phrases, or ideas that are commonly associated with the word. • Develop a working definition of the word.

9. Labor (ko,pon) The persistent expenditure of spiritual energy in accomplishing God’s work of giving the gospel, growing disciples, suffering for righteousness, and persisting in faith.

10. How to do a Word Study • Note any non-theological uses that may help determine the theological meaning. • Note any clusters of the word and any passages where the word may predominate. • Note any words, phrases, or ideas that are commonly associated with the word. • Develop a working definition of the word. • Examine key passages in light of your findings.

11. Galatians 6:17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

12. 1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

13. Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!"