Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is crucial for gaining deeper insights into the context and meaning of the Scriptures. The Greek verb ἐργάζομαι (ergazomai) is particularly significant in the New Testament as it conveys concepts of work, labor, and activity. Its usage reflects the value placed on diligence, productivity, and ethical conduct in both personal and communal contexts. Exploring the meaning and usage of ἐργάζομαι enhances our understanding of key biblical teachings on work, faith, and ethics and provides a window into ancient Greek culture.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: ἐργάζομαι (ergazomai) [er-GAH-zo-mai]
• Etymology: Derived from the root word ἔργον (ergon), meaning “work,” “task,” or “deed.” The verb form ἐργάζομαι literally means “to work” or “to perform a task.”
• Part of Speech: Verb; middle voice; present indicative; deponent (meaning it has a passive form but an active meaning).
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• To work, labor, or toil: Refers to physical or mental work and effort.
• To produce or bring about: Indicates the act of creating or accomplishing something through effort.
• To do or practice: Refers to engaging in a specific action or behavior, often with an ethical or moral connotation.
• To be active in a business or occupation: Used in contexts where someone is actively involved in their trade or profession.

Similar Words: πράσσω (prassō) [PRA-so], meaning “to practice” or “to perform.” While ἐργάζομαι emphasizes the act of working or laboring, πράσσω often conveys a sense of continuous action or habitual practice, particularly in ethical or behavioral contexts.

Further Insights: ἐργάζομαι is a deponent verb in the middle voice, meaning it appears in a passive form but functions with an active meaning. This characteristic is notable in Koine Greek, where deponent verbs are common. The word can also appear in various tenses, such as the aorist and perfect, adding nuance to its meaning and application in different contexts.

Click here for a beginner’s guide to reading Greek: Understanding Greek Grammar: A Beginner’s Guide.

Lexicon Insights

BDAG:
ἐργάζομαι primarily means “to work, labor, or toil” in a variety of contexts. The word often carries the connotation of productivity and responsibility. In the New Testament, it is used both in literal contexts (e.g., physical labor) and metaphorical ones (e.g., spiritual labor).

Thayer’s Lexicon:
Defines ἐργάζομαι as “to work” or “to labor” and provides several sub-meanings related to ethical conduct. The verb can mean “to do,” “to accomplish,” “to work out,” or “to practice.” Thayer’s lexicon notes its common use in parables and teachings of Jesus to emphasize ethical and moral labor.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:
Explains ἐργάζομαι as a word that broadly covers the idea of “labor” and “effort,” often with an emphasis on a positive, productive outcome. The word is frequently found in Pauline writings where the apostle encourages believers to “work out” their salvation and be diligent in good deeds.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones):
The broader classical usage of ἐργάζομαι includes meanings such as “to work,” “to make,” “to build,” or “to prepare.” It often implies a sense of craftsmanship or trade. In legal texts, it can also mean “to commit” or “to perform” (e.g., an act).

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Lists ἐργάζομαι as occurring frequently in the New Testament, emphasizing its usage in contexts related to physical labor, moral duty, and divine calling. It is used in both literal and metaphorical contexts to stress the importance of work and ethical behavior in Christian life.

Related Scripture References

• Ephesians 4:28: “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work [ἐργαζόμενος] with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”
• Philippians 2:12: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out [ἐργάζεσθε] your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
• John 6:27: “Do not work [ἐργάζεσθε] for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἐργάζομαι (G2038: ergazomai)

The Greek word ἐργάζομαι (ergazomai) is a verb that means “to work,” “to labor,” or “to produce.” It carries both literal and metaphorical connotations in the New Testament, where it is frequently used to emphasize ethical behavior, moral duty, and diligence in one’s actions. Its classical usage also reflects its meaning in terms of craftsmanship, occupation, and productivity. Understanding ἐργάζομαι provides deeper insights into the theological and ethical teachings of the Bible concerning work, faith, and daily conduct.

Did You Know?

Did you know that ἐργάζομαι is used over 40 times in the New Testament, primarily in Paul’s letters and the Gospels, to emphasize the importance of diligent work and ethical conduct? In Ephesians 4:28, Paul encourages former thieves to “labor, doing honest work” as a way to transform their lives and benefit others, reflecting the transformative power of work in the Christian life.