Tag: kopos

2 Thessalonians 3:8 – A Servant Above Reproach

Posted on by Will

nor did we eat anyone's bread as a free gift, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,

Truth to Learn

The Apostle Paul behaved above reproach in his ministry.

 

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “as a free gift” is dōrean, which is based on dōron, meaning “a gift.” Hence, dōrean means “as a free gift.”

“Worked” is translated from ergadzomai, which is a form of ergon, meaning “work.” Ergadzomai means “to be engaged in work or labor, usually as a regular trade.”

Kopos is the word translated “labor.” Its base meaning is “to cut,” but it is used to refer to “hard labor which produces weariness.”

The word “toil” in translated from mochthos, which refers to “painful labor.”

“Burden” is from the Greek verb epibareō. This is composed of epi, meaning “on” or “upon,” used here as an intensifier and bareō, meaning “to weigh down with a heavy burden.” Thus, epibareō means “to place a heavy burden on someone.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about those in the church who are disorderly, especially those teachers who had come into the church in Thessalonica and had taught them erroneous truths about the Day of the Lord. In order to demonstrate his own commitment to God and to the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul is explaining to them how he, Timothy, and Sylvanus (Silas) had behaved while they ministered to the saints there.

In Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth, he explained at length why ministers of the gospel have a right to expect to be supported by those to whom they minister (see 1 Corinthians 9:1-27). Also, from Acts 18:2, 3 we learn that Paul was a tentmaker by trade and worked in that occupation to support himself while he was also working full-time as a preacher of the gospel. Apparently, this was his practice wherever he went so as not to be a burden to those who received his teaching.

In today’s verse we again see how hard Paul worked (apparently both as a preacher and a tentmaker) in order to deliver the Gospel message. Here he reminds the Thessalonians that he did not receive free food from anyone in the church in Thessalonica. Instead, he put in long hours, working to the point of weariness and pain, so that he could give his teachings to everyone free of charge.

Certainly, Paul is not claiming that those who proclaim the Gospel message should do so without pay. In fact, in addition to the verses referenced above, he teaches just the opposite in Galatians 6:6 and in 1 Timothy 5:17, 18. We who receive sound doctrinal teaching should be willing to support those who labor hard to accurately proclaim God’s truth. In this passage, however, Paul was making a point that he has behaved above reproach in performing his ministry.

 

Application

Does your preacher declare the truth of God’s word week-in and week-out? Doing so takes hard work and dedication. Does he receive the appropriate recognition and reward from the church? Even a hand-written note of thanks helps.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 2:9 – Hard Labor

Posted on by Will

For you recall, brothers, our labor and hard work; laboring night and day so that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

Truth to Learn

Serving God sometimes requires hard work.

 

Behind the Words

“Labor” is translated from the Greek word kopos, which literally means “to strike or hit something.” Throughout the New Testament it is used figuratively to refer to “wearisome effort, or labor.”

The words “hard work” are from mochthos, which refers to “difficult labor.” It refers to a type of work which is greater in effort and difficulty than kopos; that is, the kind of work which produces fatigue because of how hard the work is.

“Laboring” is translated from ergadzomai, which is based on ergon, meaning “work.” Ergadzomai is a generic term for work or labor of any kind.

Nux is the Greek word for “night” and hemera is the Greek word for “day.” They are both expressed in the genitive case, so we could translate this as “by night and by day.” The implication is that they started their ministry early in the morning (probably before dawn) and worked until after dark.

The word “burden” is translated from epibareō, which is made up of epi, meaning “on” or “upon” and the verb bareō (from baros, meaning “a weight” or “a burden”). Thus, we see that epibareō means “to lay a heavy burden on someone” or “to be burdensome to others.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous two verses Paul told the Christians in the church in Thessalonica that he and his companions nurtured and cared for the people there like loving parents care for their dearly beloved children. He is telling them now how hard they worked for the sake of these young Christians. They put a lot of effort into not being burdensome to the church in Thessalonica. In his later letter to the Thessalonians, Paul explained this further, saying:

nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with labor and hard working night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves a model for you, so that you would follow our example. (2 Thessalonians 3:8-9)

We learn from Paul’s letter to the Philippians that they provided financial support to Paul and his co-workers while they were in Thessalonica.

… no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone. For even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my necessities. (Philippians 4:15b-16)

We also know from Acts 18:3 that Paul worked as a tentmaker while he was in Corinth. It is quite likely that he also performed that trade while in Thessalonica to help cover some of his financial needs.

 

Application

Serving God is hard work and it sometimes requires hard work not directly related to our ministry. When you stand before God, will He be pleased with how hard you worked to serve Him? We can all learn a lesson from Paul’s efforts.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 1:3 – Hang In There!

Posted on by Will

Constantly remembering your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,

Truth to Learn

The Christian life requires hard work and patience.

 

Behind the Words

“Constantly” is translated from adialeiptōs, made up of a, meaning “without,” dia, meaning “through” or “between,” and a form of the verb leipō, meaning “to leave.” Thus, adialeiptōs literally means “without leaving space between.” In other words, it means doing something without pausing or stopping, that is, constantly.

Ergon is the Greek word translated “work.” It refers to “toil, labor, or work.” It doesn’t necessarily refer to “hard work,” but any kind of work, any act, or any deed performed.

The word “labor” is from the Greek word kopos, which is derived from the verb koptō, meaning “to cut” or “to beat on one’s chest in grief.” Kopos refers to the pain of toil or hard work. By analogy it refers to wearisome labor.

“Patience” is from the word hupomonē, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and a form of the verb menō, meaning “to remain” or “to stay in place.” It is a picture of a beast of burden remaining under a heavy load instead of shaking it off. Therefore, it carries the meaning of being steadfast or patient.

“Hope” is from elpidos, which means more than just a wish. It implies a desire for some good thing with the full expectation that it will come to pass.

 

Meaning Explained

Yesterday we learned that Paul and his partners were persistent in praying for the people to whom they had been ministering. They cared so much for the Thessalonians that they prayed for them regularly. Here we learn that the prayers weren’t for God to help the Thessalonians; Paul and his companions gave praise to God for the way they lived-out their faith.

In their prayers they remembered and praised the work of faith that the Christians in Thessalonica were engaged in. Being a committed Christian is not easy. It involves persistence because our work of spreading the gospel and building up our fellow Christians is constantly under attack from those who oppose us. The members of the church in Thessalonica apparently were undaunted in their efforts. Paul referred to it as both a work of faith and labor of love. Note the distinction between work of faith (our works will follow us into heaven where we will get rewards for them) and the labor of love (in heaven we will have rest from our hard labor).

Paul also praised the Thessalonians for their patience. The Greek word hupomonē is a very descriptive word. Remaining steadfast in our faith is difficult at times because we can’t see God, we can’t feel His hand of comfort, and we can’t hear His words of encouragement except by faith. But in spite of that, we have a hope (a firm expectation) that we will be eternally in His presence one day, and that helps us remain under the load.

 

Application

Be steadfast and patient in your good deeds and hard labor for God. He sees all that you do, and He will reward you for everything you do to bring Him glory. Hang in there! You will receive the rewards of your labor one day.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 3:8 – A Servant Above Reproach

Posted on by Will

nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,

Truth to Learn

The Apostle Paul behaved above reproach in his ministry.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “free of charge” is dōrean, which is based on dōron, meaning “a gift.” Hence, dōrean means “as a free gift.”

“Worked” is translated from ergadzomai, which is a form of ergon, meaning “work.” Ergadzomai means “to be engaged in work or labor, usually as a regular trade.”

Kopos is the word translated “labor.” Its base meaning is “to cut,” but it is used to refer to “hard labor which produces weariness.”

The word “toil” in translated from mochthos, which refers to “painful labor.”

“Burden” is from the Greek verb epibareō. This is composed of epi, meaning “on” or “upon,” used here as an intensifier and bareō, meaning “to weigh down with a heavy burden.” Thus, epibareō means “to place a heavy burden on someone.”

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about those in the church who are disorderly, especially those teachers who had come into the church in Thessalonica and had taught them erroneous truths about the Day of the Lord. In order to demonstrate his own commitment to God and to the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul is explaining to them how he, Timothy, and Sylvanus (Silas) had behaved while they ministered to the saints there.

In Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth, he explained at length why ministers of the gospel have a right to expect to be supported by those to whom they minister (see 1 Corinthians 9:1-27). Also, from Acts 18:2, 3 we learn that Paul was a tentmaker by trade and worked in that occupation to support himself while he was also working full-time as a preacher of the gospel. Apparently, this was his practice wherever he went so as not to be a burden to those who received his teaching.

In today’s verse we again see how hard Paul worked (apparently both as a preacher and a tentmaker) in order to deliver the Gospel message. Here he reminds the Thessalonians that he did not receive free food from anyone in the church in Thessalonica. Instead, he put in long hours, working to the point of weariness and pain, so that he could give his teachings to everyone free of charge.

Certainly, Paul is not claiming that those who proclaim the Gospel message should do so without pay. In fact, in addition to the verses referenced above, he teaches just the opposite in Galatians 6:6 and in 1 Timothy 5:17, 18. We who receive sound doctrinal teaching should be willing to support those who labor hard to accurately proclaim God’s truth. In this passage, however, Paul was making a point that he has behaved above reproach in performing his ministry.

Application

Does your preacher declare the truth of God’s word week-in and week-out? Doing so takes hard work and dedication. Does he receive the appropriate recognition and reward from the church? Even a hand-written note of thanks helps.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

 

1 Thessalonians 2:9 – Hard Labor

Posted on by Will

For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

Truth to Learn

Serving God sometimes requires hard work.

Behind the Words

“Labor” is translated from the Greek word kopos, which literally means “to strike or hit something.” Throughout the New Testament it is used figuratively to refer to “wearisome effort, or labor.”

The word “toil” is from mochthos, which refers to “difficult labor.” It refers to a type of work which is greater in effort and difficulty than kopos; that is, the kind of work which produces fatigue because of how hard the work is.

“Laboring” is translated from ergadzomai, which is based on ergon, meaning “work.” Ergadzomai is a generic term for work or labor of any kind.

Nux is the Greek word for “night” and hemera is the Greek word for “day.” They are both expressed in the genitive case, so we could translate this as “by night and by day.” The implication is that they started their ministry early in the morning (probably before dawn) and worked until after dark.

The word “burden” is translated from epibareō, which is made up of epi, meaning “on” or “upon” and the verb bareō (from baros, meaning “a weight” or “a burden”). Thus, we see that epibareō means “to lay a heavy burden on someone” or “to be burdensome to others.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous two verses Paul told the Christians in the church in Thessalonica that he and his companions nurtured and cared for the people there like loving parents care for their dearly beloved children. He is telling them now how hard they worked for the sake of these young Christians. They put a lot of effort into not being burdensome to the church in Thessalonica. In his later letter to the Thessalonians, Paul explained this further, saying:

… nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. (2 Thessalonians 3:7b-9)

We learn from Paul’s letter to the Philippians that they provided financial support to Paul and his co-workers while they were in Thessalonica.

… no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. (Philippians 4:15b-16)

We also know from Acts 18:3 that Paul worked as a tentmaker while he was in Corinth. It is quite likely that he also performed that trade while in Thessalonica to help cover some of his financial needs.

Application

Serving God is hard work and it sometimes requires hard work not directly related to our ministry. When you stand before God, will He be pleased with how hard you worked to serve Him? We can all learn a lesson from Paul’s efforts.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 1:3 – Hang In There!

Posted on by Will

remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,

Truth to Learn

The Christian life requires hard work and patience.

Behind the Words

“Without ceasing” is translated from adialeiptōs, made up of a, meaning “without,” dia, meaning “through” or “between,” and a form of the verb leipō, meaning “to leave.” Thus, adialeiptōs literally means “without leaving space between.” In other words, it means doing something without pausing or stopping.

Ergon is the Greek word translated “work.” It refers to “toil labor, or work.” It doesn’t necessarily refer to “hard work,” but any kind of work, any act, or any deed performed.

The word “labor” is from the Greek word kopos, which is derived from the verb koptō, meaning “to cut” or “to beat on one’s chest in grief.” Kopos refers to the pain of toil or hard work. By analogy it refers to wearisome labor.

“Patience” is from the word hupomonē, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and a form of the verb menō, meaning “to remain” or “to stay in place.” It is a picture of a beast of burden remaining under a heavy load instead of shaking it off. Therefore, it carries the meaning of being steadfast or patient.

“Hope” is from elpidos, which means more than just a wish. It implies a desire for some good thing with the full expectation that it will come to pass.

Meaning Explained

Yesterday we learned that Paul and his partners were persistent in praying for the people to whom they had been ministering. They cared so much for the Thessalonians that they prayed for them regularly. Here we learn that the prayers weren’t for God to help the Thessalonians; Paul and his companions gave praise to God for the way they lived-out their faith.

In their prayers they remembered and praised the work of faith that the Christians in Thessalonica were engaged in. Being a committed Christian is not easy. It involves persistence because our work of spreading the gospel and building up our fellow Christians is constantly under attack from those who oppose us. The members of the church in Thessalonica apparently were undaunted in their efforts. Paul referred to it as both a work of faith and labor of love. Note the distinction between work of faith (our works will follow us into heaven where we will get rewards for them) and the labor of love (in heaven we will have rest from our hard labor).

Paul also praised the Thessalonians for their patience. The Greek word hupomonē is a very descriptive word. Remaining steadfast in our faith is difficult at times because we can’t see God, we can’t feel His hand of comfort, and we can't hear His words of encouragement except by faith. But in spite of that we have a hope (a firm expectation) that we will be eternally in His presence one day, and that helps us remain under the load.

Application

Be steadfast and patient in your good deeds and hard labor for God. He sees all that you do, and He will reward you for everything you do to bring Him glory. Hang in there! You will receive the rewards of your labor one day.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved