Number 68: September 4, 2006



II Timothy 2:15:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman [ergatēs] that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.



The Greek word ergatēs indicates a workman, “one who works” with no special emphasis upon the nature or result of that work. God needs workman, people who are willing to do His work.



Matthew 9:37 and 38:

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers [ergatēs] are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers [ergatēs] into his harvest.



There are different Greek words translated work, each pertaining to various degrees of effort. Ergon is the noun form of ergatēs. Kopos is hard work resulting in fatigue. The Greek word mochthos means “very hard work resulting in distress or pressure.” In the two verses above, God only asks us to work, but not to the point of fatigue or distress.



I Thessalonians 1:3:

Remembering without ceasing your work [ergon] of faith [believing], and labour [kopos] of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.



The “work of believing” is simply diligent work with no indicated difficulty. However, labor motivated by our love for God may entail much hard work that results in fatigue.



I Thessalonians 2:9:

For ye remember, brethren, our labour [kopos] and travail [mochthos]: for labouring [ergazomai] night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.



Paul and his companions worked day and night with hard work [kopos] resulting in fatigue and with very hard work [mochthos] resulting in distress.



I Timothy 5:17:

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour [kopiōntes] in the word and doctrine.



Those who do work of this nature are worthy of double honor for they labor hard in the Word and in teaching. God commands that we work; we decide if it’s to a point of fatigue or distress.



I Thessalonians 4:11:

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work [ergazomai] with your own hands, as we commanded you.