ἐργάζομαι
ergazomai
to work
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἐργάζομαι (ergazomai) is a verb that means "to work." With 41 occurrences in the Bible, it is a term that appears frequently in various contexts. Its meaning is straightforward, denoting physical or mental effort, labor, or activity. The range of usage for ἐργάζομαι is broad, encompassing both physical and spiritual aspects. It can describe manual labor, as in working with one's hands, or intellectual labor, such as working out a problem or a plan. In a spiritual context, it can refer to serving God or doing His work. The significance of ἐργάζομαι lies in its emphasis on the importance of effort and diligence in various aspects of life. It highlights the value of hard work, whether in one's profession, personal relationships, or spiritual growth. By using this term, the Bible encourages readers to be active, responsible, and committed in their endeavors.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
41 total occurrences across the text
Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’
Matthew 21:28But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’
Matthew 25:16Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
Matthew 26:10However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has done a good work for me.
Mark 14:6But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me.
Luke 13:14The ruler of the synagogue, being indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, “There are six days in which men ought to work. Therefore come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day!”
John 3:21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.”
John 5:17But Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too.”
John 5:17But Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too.”
John 6:27Don’t work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has sealed him.”
John 6:28They said therefore to him, “What must we do, that we may work the works of God?”
John 6:30They said therefore to him, “What then do you do for a sign, that we may see and believe you? What work do you do?
John 9:4I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.
John 9:4I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.
Acts 10:35but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.
Acts 13:41‘Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which you will in no way believe, if one declares it to you.’ ”
Acts 18:3and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers.
Romans 2:10But glory, honor, and peace go to every man who does good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 4:4Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as something owed.
Romans 4:5But to him who doesn’t work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.
Romans 13:10Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.
2 Corinthians 7:10For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.
1 Corinthians 4:12We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.
1 Corinthians 9:6Or have only Barnabas and I no right to not work?
1 Corinthians 9:13Don’t you know that those who serve around sacred things eat from the things of the temple, and those who wait on the altar have their portion with the altar?
1 Corinthians 16:10Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.
Galatians 6:10So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
Ephesians 4:28Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.
Colossians 3:23And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,
1 Thessalonians 2:9For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God.
1 Thessalonians 4:11and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you;
2 Thessalonians 3:8neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you,
2 Thessalonians 3:10For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.”
2 Thessalonians 3:11For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies.
2 Thessalonians 3:12Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.
Hebrews 11:33who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
James 1:20for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.
James 2:9But if you show partiality, you commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.
2 John 1:8Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward.
3 John 1:5Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.
Revelation 18:17For in an hour such great riches are made desolate.’ Every ship master, and everyone who sails anywhere, and mariners, and as many as gain their living by sea, stood far away,