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Unveiling the Word

In the study of biblical Greek, understanding the word κοπιάω (kopiaō) is essential for interpreting the nuances of labor, effort, and perseverance as depicted in the New Testament. Found first in Matthew 6:28, kopiaō often appears in contexts emphasizing the toil and hard work required in various aspects of life and ministry. This word enriches our understanding of biblical teachings on work, diligence, and spiritual effort, reflecting both the physical and metaphorical dimensions of labor in the ancient world.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: κοπιάω, transliterated as kopiaō [ko-pee-AH-oh].

Etymology: The word kopiaō derives from the Greek root κόπος (kopos), which means “labor,” “toil,” or “weariness.” The verb form, kopiaō, implies the act of laboring to the point of exhaustion or working diligently with great effort.

Part of Speech: Verb. In grammatical terms, kopiaō is a verb that is used in various tenses, voices, and moods to express the action of laboring, working hard, or becoming weary through effort.

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Defining Meanings

1. To Labor or Work Hard: The primary meaning of kopiaō is to engage in strenuous work or labor, often to the point of exhaustion. It is commonly used to describe both physical and spiritual effort.
2. To Become Weary or Tired: Beyond mere work, kopiaō also conveys the idea of becoming weary or tired due to prolonged labor or effort, highlighting the human limits encountered in pursuit of a task.
3. To Strive Diligently: In a more figurative sense, kopiaō can refer to striving diligently or making a concerted effort toward a goal, often with the implication of enduring difficulties or challenges.

Exploring Similar Words

1. ἐργάζομαι (ergazomai) [er-GAH-zoh-my]: This word means “to work” or “to engage in work.” While ergazomai can refer to any type of work, kopiaō emphasizes the intensity and effort involved.
2. μοχθέω (mochteō) [mok-THEH-oh]: Meaning “to toil” or “to struggle,” mochteō is similar to kopiaō but often carries a slightly more negative connotation, implying hardship and suffering in labor.
3. ἀγωνίζομαι (agōnizomai) [ah-goh-NEE-zoh-my]: This word means “to strive” or “to struggle,” particularly in a competitive or agonistic context, such as an athletic contest. It shares the idea of effort but with a focus on struggle and competition rather than labor alone.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Tense, Voice, Mood: Kopiaō appears in various tenses (present, aorist, perfect), voices (active, middle, passive), and moods (indicative, subjunctive, imperative) to express different nuances of action:

• Present Indicative Active: κοπιάω (I toil, I am laboring)
• Aorist Indicative Active: ἐκοπίασα (I labored, I toiled)
• Perfect Indicative Active: κεκοπίακα (I have labored, I have toiled)

Person and Number: The word kopiaō is conjugated differently depending on person (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and number (singular, plural). For example:

• 1st Person Singular Present Indicative Active: κοπιάω (I labor)
• 3rd Person Plural Aorist Indicative Active: ἐκοπίασαν (they labored)

Aspect: The different aspects of kopiaō (imperfective, perfective, stative) reveal the ongoing, completed, or resultant nature of the action:

• Imperfective Aspect: Focuses on the continuous action of laboring.
• Perfective Aspect: Emphasizes the completion of labor or effort.
• Stative Aspect: Reflects the state of being after having labored.

Conjugation Table: Present Indicative Active

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Studying Lexicon Insights

Kopiaō is understood in Greek lexicons as a term that denotes intense labor, effort, or weariness. In the New Testament, it often conveys the spiritual labor required in ministry or moral striving, highlighting both physical and metaphorical dimensions of toil. In classical contexts, it also refers to the labor of manual workers, soldiers, or athletes. Theologically, it underscores the idea of perseverance and dedication, whether in the service of God or in moral conduct. This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Matthew 6:28: “And why do you worry about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil [κοπιῶσιν] nor spin.”
2. John 4:38: “I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored [κεκοπιάκατε]; others have labored [κεκοπίασαν], and you have entered into their labor.”
3. 1 Corinthians 15:10: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored [ἐκοπίασα] more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

The Greek word kopiaō is an essential term that encapsulates both the physical and spiritual dimensions of labor and effort. Its usage in the New Testament reveals the significance of diligent work and perseverance, whether in everyday life or in spiritual endeavors. Understanding kopiaō provides valuable insights into the biblical narrative’s emphasis on hard work, perseverance, and reliance on divine grace.

Did You Know?

1. The word kopiaō is frequently used in both secular and biblical Greek texts to describe the labor of farmers, builders, and soldiers, emphasizing the virtue of hard work.
2. In the New Testament, kopiaō is often used metaphorically to describe the spiritual labor and efforts of the apostles and early Christian workers.
3. The term is also found in classical Greek literature to convey the intense effort required in philosophical pursuits and athletic competitions.