ἔργον
ergon
work
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἔργον (ergon) is a fundamental concept in the New Testament, appearing 177 times in the Bible. At its core, ἔργον refers to "work," encompassing a wide range of activities, tasks, and endeavors. It can describe physical labor, craftsmanship, or intellectual pursuits, but also more abstract concepts like moral effort or spiritual endeavors. In its usage, ἔργον often conveys a sense of purpose, intention, or accomplishment. It can be used to describe the actions of individuals, groups, or even God Himself. The word's versatility allows it to be applied to various contexts, from everyday life to spiritual pursuits. For example, in Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites people to come to Him, promising rest from their burdensome work (ἔργον), while in Colossians 1:10, believers are exhorted to do the work (ἔργον) of the Lord. The significance of ἔργον lies in its emphasis on the importance of purposeful action and effort. It highlights the value of diligence, perseverance, and dedication in achieving one's goals. By examining the various occurrences of ἔργον in the Bible, we can gain a deeper understanding of the role of work and effort in our lives, and how these concepts intersect with our spiritual journeys.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
177 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 11:2Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
Matthew 11:19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”
Matthew 23:3All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do.
Matthew 23:5But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments,
Matthew 26:10However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has done a good work for me.
Mark 13:34“It is like a man, traveling to another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and also commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch.
Mark 14:6But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me.
Luke 11:48So you testify and consent to the works of your fathers. For they killed them, and you build their tombs.
Luke 24:19He said to them, “What things?” They said to him, “The things concerning Jesus, the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people;
John 3:19This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.
John 3:20For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.
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 4:34Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
John 5:20For the Father has affection for the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does. He will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
John 5:36But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John, for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.
John 5:36But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John, for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.
John 6:28They said therefore to him, “What must we do, that we may work the works of God?”
John 6:29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
John 7:3His brothers therefore said to him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see your works which you do.
John 7:7The world can’t hate you, but it hates me, because I testify about it, that its works are evil.
John 7:21Jesus answered them, “I did one work and you all marvel because of it.
John 8:39They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.
John 8:41You do the works of your father.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.”
John 9:3Jesus answered, “This man didn’t sin, nor did his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him.
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 10:25Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, these testify about me.
John 10:32Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?”
John 10:32Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?”
John 10:33The Jews answered him, “We don’t stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself God.”
John 10:37If I don’t do the works of my Father, don’t believe me.
John 10:38But if I do them, though you don’t believe me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
John 14:10Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works.
John 14:11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
John 14:12Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father.
John 15:24If I hadn’t done among them the works which no one else did, they wouldn’t have had sin. But now they have seen and also hated both me and my Father.
John 17:4I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do.
Acts 5:38Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown.
Acts 7:22Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. He was mighty in his words and works.
Acts 7:41They made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands.
Acts 9:36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.
Acts 13:2As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.”
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 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 14:26From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.
Acts 15:18“All of God’s works are known to him from eternity.
Acts 15:38But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the work.
Romans 2:6who “will pay back to everyone according to their works:”
Romans 2:7to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life;
Romans 2:15in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with them, and their thoughts among themselves accusing or else excusing them)