Bible Dictionary
LABOR
Labor means hard work, toil, or strenuous service. Scripture uses it for ordinary work, childbirth, and the devoted efforts of those serving God and His people.
Definition
Labor is hard work, toil, or strenuous service. The word may refer to ordinary work, the fruit of work, childbirth, or devoted effort in teaching and service.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses labor for ordinary toil, childbirth, and the work of faith and love. It also describes labor in the word and teaching, and assures believers that their labor in the Lord is not vain.
Historical Background
The biblical terms translated labor include Hebrew words for toil and work and the Greek word kopos, meaning labor or wearisome effort.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>la'-ber (yeghia`, `amal; kopos): The word (noun and verb) denoting hard work or "toil" (thus in the Revised Version (British and American) of De 26:7; Jos 7:3; Re 2:2) represents several Hebrew and Greek words, chiefly those above. Occasionally, as in Hab 3:17 (ma`aseh), it stands for "fruit of labor." Sometimes, in conjunction with "travail," it refers to childbirth (Ge 35:16,17, yaladh; compare 1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:8). Examples of the word in the ordinary sense are: of yeghia`, Ge 31:42; Job 39:11,16; Ps 128:2; of `amal, common in Ec 1:3,8; 2:10,11,18, etc.; of kopos, 1Co 15:58 ("your labor is not vain," etc.); 1Th 1:3 ("work of faith and labor of love"; compare Heb 6:10); 1Ti 5:17 ("labor in the word and in teaching").</p><p>See WORK; SLAVERY.</p><p>James Orr</p>