Labor
Summary
Physical or mental work, ordained by God for humanity both before and after the Fall, with rest on the Sabbath as the divinely appointed pattern.
☩Divine Institution
Labor was instituted by God before the Fall when Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden 'to dress it and to keep it' (Genesis 2:15). Work is therefore not a consequence of sin but part of God's original good design for humanity. After the Fall, labor became toilsome: 'In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread' (Genesis 3:19). The ground would yield its produce only through arduous effort.
☩Biblical Teaching
Scripture consistently commends diligent labor: 'The hand of the diligent maketh rich' (Proverbs 10:4); 'If any would not work, neither should he eat' (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Paul labored with his own hands as a tentmaker to support himself while preaching (Acts 18:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:9). Yet labor must be balanced with rest—the fourth commandment establishes the Sabbath pattern (Exodus 20:8-11). Workers deserve fair wages (Deuteronomy 24:14-15; James 5:4).
Related Verses21 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Labor," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Labor," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).